NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/15/25)

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Max's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on April 15, 2025.

Welcome to the playoffs, RotoBallers! Tonight, we get both seven-seed vs. eight-seed matchups in the play-in tournament, where the winner locks in their spot in the bracket and the loser has to face the winner of the 9/10 game in each conference.

These articles focus on the best plays, typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate. 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 4/15/25. 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. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Ja Morant, MEM - PG ($8.9K DK, $9.1K FD)

Morant had his first game scoring less than 40 fantasy points in 37 days, but despite that, he's still averaging 48 fantasy PPG over his last 13 games. Only two weeks ago, Morant torched the Warriors for 52.25 fantasy points, shooting better than 60 percent from the field that night. Morant's price has still not adjusted to his production, giving him a great floor/ceiling combo.

Trae Young, ATL - PG ($9.1K DK, $9.8K FD)

Young's price is considerably lower than it typically is, making him an easy click tonight. The Magic boast one of the best defenses in the league and one of the slowest paces of play, which is far from ideal for fantasy purposes. His salary is being influenced by that, and this game's significantly lower implied total (216.5 compared to 229 for MEM at GS).

Third time leading the league in total assists 🧊

First time leading the league in assists per game (11.6) ❄️

No one's passing the rock like Trae Young 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5Yfv42jknS

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 14, 2025

Young is still a bona fide fantasy stud and should be considered matchup-proof due to his sheer usage and playmaking ability.

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

Paolo Banchero, ORL - PF ($9.5K DK, $9.9K FD)

Coincidentally, we discussed this exact scenario last week. Banchero has now scored 31, 36, and 33 in his three previous matchups with the Hawks this season.

Paolo Banchero since the All-Star break:

29.0 PTS
7.8 REB
4.5 AST
47% FG
78% FT on 9.2 attempts per game pic.twitter.com/pbDwrHFJVR

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 14, 2025

The Hawks allow the second-most fantasy PPG to PFs, which makes this an appealing matchup and could provide Banchero with another monster box score (54.5 fantasy points last week in this matchup).

Stephen Curry, GS - PG ($9.3K DK, $9.2K FD)

Curry has been the definition of a tournament play since Jimmy Butler III's arrival. However, it's hard not to be excited about Steph in a playoff environment in a rematch against the team he had his best game of the season against (95 fantasy points on  April 1). He could easily be the highest-scoring PG of the night, and if he is, he'll be a key piece in winning lineups.

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, ORL - SG ($3.8K DK, $4.3K FD)

KCP has seen his minutes and usage increase down the stretch, playing 30+ minutes in nine of his last 12 games. He provides much-needed spacing and veteran leadership to this Magic team, and with rotations tightening for the playoffs, there aren't many players logging those types of minutes at this price tag.

Moses Moody, GS - SG/SF ($4.1K DK, $4.5K FD)

Moody is another starter priced in this range, and when slates are this thin, sometimes that's all it takes to stand out.

Cory Joseph, ORL - PG ($3.2K DK, $3.9K FD)

Joseph is the other value option in the Orlando starting five. He's likely to be the cheapest player to see any meaningful minutes tonight, and with such a small pool of players to choose from, that makes him worth evaluating. Most people will look to pay up the $600 to KCP, so consider him a contrarian cheap piece.

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

• My favorite overall play on the slate: Ja Morant
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Trae Young
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Paolo Banchero
• My favorite value play: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis