NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (5/3/25)

May 3, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Koby's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on May 3, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We are back for Game 7 tonight, this Saturday evening. The Clippers travel to Denver one last time to attempt to put away the Nuggets. Both sites now use the same style of single-game lineup system, with one MVP and five utility spots. So the positioning won't matter, but with the salary being 1.5x the price in the MVP spot, it can make things a bit more difficult.

I will help y'all dive into the slate and hopefully can bring some more cash in 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 5/3/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EDT on DraftKings. 

Today's NBA DFS MVP Picks

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

Nikola Jokic, DEN -  C ($20.4K DK, $25.2K FD)

I don't think there is a realm where you can fade Nikola Jokic. Whether or not you use him in your MVP slot is a bit of a different story. His 25K salary on FD will make it extremely difficult to build a lineup around, but he is the best guy on the court at all times. He has shown he can explode for 80 FP, like in Game 4, which would be good for 120 fantasy points. That is a slate breaker right there.

His price on DK is a bit more reasonable and easier to work with. So he should be highly considered on DraftKings. His floor is incredible as he hasn't dipped below 50 fantasy points during the playoffs so far. Jokic is one of the safest plays on the slate as he will be over 90% owned, and fading him would put you in a dangerous spot.

Ivica Zubac, LAC  – C ($13.8K DK, $15.9K FD)

Finding a player who is on the cheaper side of things can make the rest of your lineup a bit easier to build. Zubac at MVP would be a near 10k decrease compared to Jokic. We aren't going to get a 25K value out of Zubac, but he has been solid in the playoffs.

He has scored at a minimum of 32 FP in all but Game 6, where he finished with 28 fantasy points. Getting the discount on Zubac could save you some serious cash. It also could save you from possibly punting a spot just to be able to spend up at the captain's spot.

Others To Consider: Kawhi Leonard - SF (FanDuel Only) /PF, Jamal Murray PG/SG

Today's NBA DFS Utility

These players are people you may want to add to your Utility Spots!

Jamal Murray, DEN – PG/SG ($9.8K DK, $10.4K FD)

Playoff Jamal Murray is just built differently. He led them to a Game 5 win with 43 points and finished with 71 fantasy points. Jamal is also a workhorse. He has played 40+ minutes in all but one game, and that was because it was a 30-point blowout. He still finished with 30 fantasy points in that shorter time, showing he has a solid floor.

Jamal Murray is the ONLY player in NBA history to score 50 points with ZERO free throw attempts. After last night, he's the ONLY player in NBA Playoff History to score 40+ points with 1 free throw or less. One of the most ethical hoopers ever. pic.twitter.com/Eg4bCoeWFk

— WADE 🏀 (@Its_Wade) April 30, 2025

Jamal has a great ceiling, and if the shot is falling for him, then no one is gonna stop him. He also has been great on defense, averaging two STOCKS a game during the playoffs. Jamal would make for a decent MVP option as well, but I likely will have him in the utility spot.

Norman Powell, LAC – SG/SF ($7.2K DK, $6.6K FD)

Norman Powell can be a lethal threat for this Clippers team. His shooting is streaky, and when he shoots well, it benefits this team extremely. Powell has scored 20+ points in three of six games so far in the playoffs. When he does that, he has scored 30+ fantasy points. They are going to need his shooting desperately in this game, or else the Clippers could be in a loss.

Others To Consider: James Harden, LAC - PG, Aaron Gordon, DEN - PF/C (DK), Russell Westbrook, DEN - PG

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Nicolas Batum, LAC - SF(FanDuel)/PF/C(DraftKings) ($4.2K DK, $3.4K FD)

Nicolas Batum, at 36, is still making a big difference for this Clippers team. He played the most minutes of the playoffs at 34 minutes in Game 6. He is an elite defender and can get hot from three. He is dirt cheap and has plenty of potential at his price to be a value. He is one of the cheapest guys on the slate that I'm looking at.

Nicolas Batum with one of the most impactful 6-5-6-2-2 statlines you’ll ever see.

The rim protection, ball pressure, extra passes, winning 50-50 balls, etc.

The Clippers aren’t in this position to extend the series without him, what a player.

— nmz (@nmzhoops) May 2, 2025

Batum has 30+ in two games, and if he continues to see increased minutes, we could see another productive outing from him tonight.

Michael Porter Jr., DEN – SF (DraftKings Only)/PF ($6K DK, $5.2K FD)

Michael Porter Jr. has been fairly lackluster in the playoffs so far. Only scoring in the 30+ range once. His salary, however, doesn't reflect MPJ's ability to show out at times. He averaged 31+ FP a game during the regular season and is due for a better performance. The minutes are there for him to excel, and tonight could be the night he does just that.

This one is more for those playing those bigger tournaments, as I see MPJ going a bit lower owned due to his recent bad performances. This is the perfect way to get leverage on the rest of the field, by going after some mid-priced players with solid ceilings.

Others to Consider: Peyton Watson, DEN - SF (DK)/PF, Derrick Jones Jr., LAC - SF/PF

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 be sure to 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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