NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (6/19/25)

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Koby's NBA DFS expert picks to build winning DFS lineups on June 19, 2025.

The 2025 NBA Finals could be coming to a close. The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from taking the trophy home for the first time as a franchise. The Indiana Pacers will look to extend their Finals run one more time, though, but will they have Tyrese Haliburton to do it?

OKC is bringing some momentum into Game 6 tonight. Haliburton said he is going to do everything he can to make sure he is out on the court. But will it be enough to stop the surging Thunder from finishing them off?

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 6/19/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 8:30 p.m. EDT on DraftKings. 

Today's NBA DFS MVP/Captain Picks

These players make the most sense in the prime spot of your lineup. On FanDuel, that spot is called the MVP position, while on DraftKings, it's called the Captain. On both sites, whichever player is in this spot costs 1.5 times their normal salary but also produces 1.5 times their normal fantasy points.

Jalen Williams, OKC ($16.2K DK, $18.6K FD)

While everyone is going to be jamming SGA and spending all their salary on him at the Captain/MVP position, I'm going to look toward Jalen Williams, who is coming off his best game of the Finals and even this year's playoffs in general. He had 40 points and finished with 55 fantasy points.

He was still outscored by SGA in the fantasy department, but I believe the discount we are getting on Williams more than makes up for it. He has a solid floor where he hasn't dipped below 33 fantasy points in the Finals.

We save over $3K in salary when playing Williams at the MVP position, which could be the difference between punting a position and getting a more balanced lineup.

Pascal Siakam, IND ($15.3K DK, $17.7K FD)

I'm still unsure why Haliburton is priced more than Siakam. Haliburton has only outscored Siakam in the fantasy department once during the Finals.

That being said, I'll likely skip out on Haliburton, especially with the looming calf injury that could have him restricted. The Pacers should be turning their full focus to Siakam, who has the Finals experience and can hopefully will this team toward a Game 7.

"[Siakam is] the one guy who has a mismatch every single time he's down the floor."@ThisIsUD on what he expects from Pascal Siakam heading into Game 6 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/RVyVMa6VLb

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2025

Siakam has 43+ fantasy points in three straight games with back-to-back 50+ games in Games 4 and 5. The Thunder just haven't had an answer for him, and I don't think that changes overnight. Siakam will likely be one of my highest-owned players on the slate and for good reason.

Others To Consider: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Chet Holmgren (OKC)

Today's NBA DFS Utility

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

Chet Holmgren, OKC ($8.8K DK, $9.2K FD)

Chet Holmgren hasn't been quite the scorer, but he has been big in replacing Isaiah Hartenstein in the rebound department. He has double-digit rebounds in the last three games and is averaging almost two STOCKS a game in the Finals.

He has also seen more and more minutes in the last three games, going from the mid-20s to 33+ minutes a game. The Pacers are having a tough time stopping him from getting boards and having his way in the paint. If he can boost the scoring a bit more, then OKC should be holding that trophy by the end of the night.

Chet Holmgren is 23 years and 44 days old. He has the 3rd most blocked shots of anyone that age in NBA Playoff history.

1) Serge Ibaka 123 Blocks
2) Kobe Bryant 64
3) Chet Holmgren 60
4) Andrew Bynum 59
5) Tim Duncan 57 pic.twitter.com/SXQy6i5LRQ

— OKC Thunder Stats (@ThunderNumbers) June 14, 2025

Andrew Nembhard, IND ($6K DK, $4K FD)

Andrew Nembhard is a risky pick; he has shown flashes of big potential as well as just complete duds, like in the last game. He plays big minutes, which is something I like, but his production is low.

But the key here is to jump off the chalky pick in Alex Caruso and take a shot on someone who may be lower owned. With Haliburton injured, this could increase Nembhard's usage. In the past, Nembhard has seen a 4% USG increase when Haliburton is off the court. Which he could see extended minutes if Haliburton is limited whatsoever.

Others To Consider: Alex Caruso (OKC), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

T.J. McConnell, IND ($5K DK, $3.8K FD)

T.J. McConnell could once again be in for a bigger role. With Haliburton injured, the Pacers should rely on McConnell to run the offense more. Even if Haliburton plays, I see his minutes being limited so as not to further strain his injury.

He played the most minutes of the playoffs so far in Game 5 with 21 minutes. His hustle alone is worth the price; he is all over the court doing everything he can for the Pacers. His ability to be a menace on both offense and defense is huge for them off the bench. We should be seeing more of him in this one.

BREAKING: Rick Carlisle says the Pacers are preparing to play Game 6 without Tyrese Haliburton, h/t @esidery

His official status will be determined tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/O3FyPB2N8F

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 18, 2025

Aaron Nesmith, IND ($4.8K DK, $3.2K FD)

I think the majority of players are going to be all over Obi Toppin with how well he has played recently, but you aren't looking to me for the chalk.

Aaron Nesmith makes for an interesting GPP play. He is relatively close to the same, with a better three-pointer and more minutes. If Nesmith gets the three to fall early, he could be relied on more to shoot throughout the game. Giving him more playing time and more opportunities to rack up the fantasy points.

Others to Consider: Obi Toppin (IND), Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC)

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis