NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (5/25/25)

May 25, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Kyle's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on May 25, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! The unpredictable NBA Playoffs roll on tonight, with the Pacers returning home with a 2-0 series lead over the favored New York Knicks. The end of Game 1 amazed sports fans across the globe, as Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith brought Indiana back from the brink and eventually won it in one of the most memorable games of the last decade. Game 2 was another fascinating watch. I'm anticipating we see the Knicks punch back in Game 3, and Vegas has this as a close one with the home Pacers favored by just two points.

I will help you dive into the slate and hopefully bring in some more cash for the rest of the playoffs! This article will focus on the top guys to play at MVP, some flex guys to put in your utility spots, and a couple of value options to make the rest of the lineup work! The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available.

But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments. This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/25/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 8:00 p.m. EDT on DraftKings. 

Today's NBA DFS MVP Picks

These are the guys you want headlining your lineups at the MVP position.

Tyrese Haliburton, IND - PG ($16.8K DK, $20.4K FD)

"Hali" has been volatile all playoffs, but I want to keep riding the bandwagon while he's on a heater. The dynamic point guard has scored 55.5, 57, and 47 DK points coming into tonight's action, and he could unlock an even higher ceiling if he can see more shots fall. He shot 5-for-16 in Game 2 and 7-for-22 from deep in the series, but he still contributes significant value through rebounds, assists, and "stocks" (steals + blocks).

Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($16.8K DK, $21.6K FD)

We want guys with the best chances at scoring the most fantasy points on the slate in our Captain/MVP slots, and Brunson is the only one who qualifies on the Knicks side. Towns can occasionally pop for 60+ DK points, but he has only accomplished that once since April 10th. Give me Brunson, who posted a 31% usage rate at 1.21 FPTS/min this season and has finished with 66.25 and 60.75 DK points over his last five games. The Pacers' fast pace should only benefit a volume shooter like Brunson, so I'm willing to eat the salary and mix in cheapies to fill out my lineups.

Others To Consider: Pascal Siakam ($12.6K DK, 15.9K FD)

Today's NBA DFS Utility

These players are ones you may want to add to your Utility spots!

Pascal Siakam, IND - PF ($8.4K DK, $10.6K FD)

I'm loving the way Siakam is playing lately. He's averaging 43 DK PPG over his last four games, including a 52.75 DK point masterpiece in Game 2 of this series. He shot 15-for-23 from the field and finished with a career-high playoff total of 39 points in the dramatic victory. The veteran forward has the momentum heading into Game 3, and I'm not sure the Knicks know what to do with his versatility combined with the shooters and playmakers on the rest of the Indiana roster.

Mikal Bridges, NYK - SG/SF ($8.2K DK, $8K FD)

There's some smoke about Josh Hart being moved off the starting five in Game 3. While that would help Mikal Bridges' outlook, I am interested in Bridges regardless of how the starting five shakes out. While he's not making threes, he's providing a consistent scoring output while contributing in the counting stats across the board in the playoffs. He's averaging a solid 34.8 DK PPG over his last five games, and while he's not a real candidate for a ceiling game, getting that steady production in the mid-tier salary range is valuable.

Others To Consider: Andrew Nembhard ($7.2K DK, $6.2K FD)

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Aaron Nesmith, IND - SG/SF ($6.8K DK, $6.4K FD)

Nesmith was the co-hero of Game 1, shooting 9-for-13 (8-for-9 3PT) and finishing with 42.5 DK points in the comeback win. He's averaging 35.7 DK PPG over his last three contests, which will undoubtedly get the job done at his still-modest price point. I don't see any reason why the Pacers would move away from something that's working, so Nesmith should continue to play anywhere for 33 to 38 minutes per game.

Mitchell Robinson, NYK - C ($4.2K DK, $3.8K FD)

We'll likely see a shakeup in the Knicks' starting rotation, with Mitchell Robinson stepping in for the struggling Josh Hart. If that is the case, give me all of the underpriced Robinson. The big man has had some moments in these playoffs, but his production has been sporadic as he hasn't received consistent minutes. We should be able to bank on around 30 minutes if he's announced as the starter, and I love his chances at crushing value if he's starting tonight.

Others to Consider: T.J. McConnell ($4K DK, $2.2K FD)

As the NBA playoffs heat up, so do the opportunities to win more in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) on DraftKings and FanDuel. Staying informed on late-breaking NBA injury news is critical for success, so leverage RotoBaller’s expert insights and tools throughout the day to gain an edge on the field.

Whether you're grinding out GPPs or locking in safe cash game picks, a smart NBA DFS strategy can make all the difference. Good luck tonight, and may your lineups crush!

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