X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (5/9/25)

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Thunder Dan's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on May 9, 2025.

Both games tonight are the third game in their respective series, with the Pacers holding a surprising 2-0 lead over the Cavs, and the Thunder-Nuggets series being tied 1-1.

Cleveland is in must-win territory, but could get one or more of DeAndre Hunter, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland back tonight. All of them are currently questionable, but you'd have to think they'll make every attempt to play with the Cavs having their backs up against the wall. There are no real injury concerns in the other game, which has a slightly higher total of 232.5 and a similar spread with OKC installed as five-point road favorites.

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 FanDuel and DraftKings on 5/9/25. 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.

 

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN -  C ($11K DK, $11.6K FD)

You could try to fade Jokic tonight and hope for another OKC beatdown like we saw in game two, but I don't think we'll see that happen. In any kind of close game, it's much more likely that we see something closer to Jokic's game one output (42-22-6 and 79 FD points).

OKC can throw Hartenstein and Holmgren at Jokic, but he remains the most skilled big man in the game (and perhaps ever?), and he's not likely to be slowed down by the Thunder for a second straight game.

He costs a pretty penny, but the salaries of a lot of other players have been depressed by the sites so that we can fit him into lineups without having to punt too much, and I plan to do just that.

Jamal Murray, DEN – PG/SG ($6.8K DK, $7.6K FD)

Murray is just far too cheap for how much of the Denver offense he represents. For years now in Denver, it's been the Jokic and Murray show, and if the Nuggets are able to keep this game close or win it, then we are probably going to see a solid game from Murray, similar to what he did in game one of this series (21-6-6).

Murray and Jokic stack well together, and I'd run it back with an OKC piece.

Andrew Nembhard, IND - PG/SG ($5.6K, $5.8K)

Nembhard's play through the first two games has been key to the Pacers getting two wins in Cleveland. His defense doesn't always show up in the box score, but he's been making key plays on both ends of the floor.

In game 1, he dropped 23 points and gave Indiana some much-needed scoring, while it was his passing (13 assists) that was on display in game 2. He's going to log heavy minutes, and he's going to end up getting there in terms of achieving 5 to 6x value on his price by the time the game is over.

Others To Consider: Donovan Mitchell (if Garland and/or Mobley sit) - PG/SG

 

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

Chet Holmgren, OKC – PF/C ($7K DK, $7.3K FD)

The most popular players on OKC tonight will be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. And I get it, both guys are the top scorers and passers on the team and will probably play significantly more minutes than the third amigo, Chet.

However, Holmgren is a lot cheaper and falls firmly into my GPP-pivot price range, where he should also carry the lowest rostership of the OKC big three.

Chet had 43 FD points in Game 2 and now has six blocks through the first two games of this series. His defensive stats give him a ceiling that not many other players have.

If we see Chet up his scoring or rebounding tonight in addition to maintaining those elite blocks numbers, he could be a guy who goes for 7x on his price tag and win you a tournament. He has fared well against Denver in his career. Let's hope for a close game so Chet can get the minutes he needs to hit his ceiling.

Jarrett Allen, CLE – PF/C ($6.8K DK, $7.5K FD)

Allen won't be a "pivot" if Evan Mobley sits out again tonight. But I am going to do everything I can to get him into some lineups along with Nikola Jokic. You can do so by playing two centers on DraftKings and utilizing Allen's PF eligibility on FanDuel.

Allen had a mediocre showing in Game 1, but was dominant with a 22-12-3 line and three blocks against Indiana in Game 2. He can handle Myles Turner on the interior and is a plus defender. If Mobley does play, then Allen's rostership will be very suppressed, and he will make for a very lightly-rostered large field tourney play. And if Mobley plays, just get as much exposure to Allen as you can.

Others To Consider: Tyrese Haliburton - PG/SG

 

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Jamie Calandro! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Jamie's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code THUNDERDAN at checkout to save 10 percent.

 

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Max Strus, CLE - SG/SF ($5K DK, $5K FD)

Strus stepped up in a big way for the Cavs in Game 2, dropping 23 points with eight boards and four assists. He played 39 minutes with the Cavs missing two starters and their sixth man, DeAndre Hunter.

Some of those players might be back tonight, but Strus will still have a big part in this rotation. He played 31 minutes in Game 1, and the Cavs love his combination of three-point shooting, rebounding, and gutsy defense.

Aaron Nesmith, IND – SG/SF ($5.3K DK, $5.5K FD)

Nesmith was solid in Game 1 with 17 points and eight boards, but he was terrific in Game 2 and one of the main catalysts in their comeback win. Nesmith went for 24 points while adding four blocks/steals and finished with 41 FD points.

At his price tag, expect Nesmith to be one of the most popular plays in this price range, but for good reason. He's going to play a lot and is a crucial part of this Indiana rotation.

Others to Consider: Bennedict Mathurin - SG/SF, Russell Westbrook - PG, Sam Merrill - SG

 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Lamar Jackson

Throws for Four Touchdowns in Week 2 Win
James Cook

Scores Two Touchdowns in Rout of Jets
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Rome Odunze

Scores Twice in Loss
Ja'Marr Chase

Snags 14 Receptions, Finds End Zone in Week 2
Russell Wilson

Throws for 450 Yards, Three Touchdowns in Loss
Jared Goff

Throws Five Touchdowns
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Scores Three Touchdowns
Joe Burrow

Suffers Turf Toe and Torn Ligaments in Win
Malik Nabers

Explodes for Two Touchdowns in Overtime Thriller
Joe Burrow

Seen with Boot and Crutches Postgame
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Justin Fields

Diagnosed With Concussion Sunday
Tyrod Taylor

Justin Fields Evaluated for Concussion, Tyrod Taylor Enters Game
Joe Burrow

Ruled Out for Remainder of Week 2 With Toe Injury
Joe Burrow

Questionable to Return in Week 2 with Toe Injury
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short-Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Ketel Marte

Expected to Return on Friday
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers