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CeeGee's favorite NBA DFS picks for today, Friday 4/18/25. His top daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for FanDuel DFS contests.
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/18/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on FanDuel.
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NBA DFS Core Picks
These are the cornerstone players to build your lineups around, offering a mix of safety for cash games and ceiling for GPPs.
Trae Young - ATL - PG ($8.8K DK, $9.6K FD)
Trae Young is my top priority tonight, and it’s not close. The Hawks’ floor general has been a fantasy point-per-minute machine, averaging 1.34 DK points per minute over the season, with a recent uptick to 1.51 over his last three games. Facing a Miami defense that ranks ninth in defensive rating but allows the 14th-highest 3-point percentage, Young’s ability to splash from deep and rack up assists (11.6 APG) makes him a lock.
His 29 percent usage rate and 20.9 potential assists per game scream upside, especially in a game with a 100.2 projected pace. Miami’s pesky perimeter defense might challenge him, but Young’s recent 29.3 PPG over his last three outings suggests he’s ready to exploit any cracks. On FanDuel, his $9,600 price is steep, but his 60+ point ceiling justifies the spend.
Anthony Davis - DAL - PF/C ($10K DK, $10.7K FD)
Anthony Davis is the slate’s most expensive player, but he’s worth every penny against a Memphis frontcourt that’s been shaky. The Grizzlies rank 20th in defensive rating and 24th in rebounding rate, giving AD a golden opportunity to dominate the glass and pile up points. His 30 percent usage rate and 1.55 DK points per minute make him a cash game anchor, while his ability to notch double-doubles or even triple-doubles gives him GPP appeal.
Memphis allows the 14th-highest 3-point percentage, which could open up the paint for Davis to feast. The 6.5-point spread suggests a competitive game, and AD’s recent 51.6 DK points per game average makes him a must-play. Pay up and build around him.
Desmond Bane - MEM - PG/SG/SF (FanDuel Only) ($8K DK, $8.4K FD)
Bane is my favorite play in the Memphis-Dallas matchup, thanks to his matchup against a Mavericks defense that ranks 20th in points allowed per game and 24th in rebounding rate. Bane’s 23 percent usage rate and 1.20 DK points per minute are solid, and his recent form (23.7 PPG, 38.4 DK points per game) shows he’s heating up at the right time.
The 101.9 projected pace and 221.5 game total point to a high-scoring affair, and Bane’s ability to contribute across categories (5.4 APG, 6.1 RPG) makes him a versatile option. Dallas struggles to defend the perimeter, which plays right into Bane’s sharpshooting hands. At $8,000 on DraftKings, he’s a steal for his 50+ DK point upside.
NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
These players might fly under the radar, but have the ceiling to win you a GPP.
Tyler Herro - MIA - PG/SG (FanDuel Only) ($9.1K DK, $9.1K FD)
Herro’s a sneaky GPP play tonight against Atlanta’s middling defense. His 27 percent usage rate and 1.17 DK points per minute are elite, and despite a recent dip to 35.5 DK points per game over his last three, he’s shown a 50+ point ceiling earlier this season. The Hawks allow the 16th-most 3-point attempts, and Herro’s 23.9 PPG suggests he’ll be aggressive in this must-win game.
Miami’s 108.8 implied total is modest, but Herro’s ability to heat up from deep and create his own shot makes him a high-upside pivot from the chalkier Young. His ownership should be lower than his ceiling warrants, making him a tournament darling.
Onyeka Okongwu - ATL - PF (FanDuel Only)/C ($7.1K DK, $7.5K FD)
The Hawks’ big man has been trending up, averaging 38.5 DK points over his last three games with 1.15 DK points per minute. Miami’s 18th-ranked rebounding rate gives Okongwu a chance to clean up on the glass, and his 13.5 PPG with 2.3 APG add multi-category upside.
The 100.2 projected pace and 218.5 game total suggest a grind-it-out game, but Okongwu’s recent 34-minute average and 17 percent usage rate make him a sneaky play. At $7,100 on DraftKings, he’s underpriced for his 40+ DK point potential, and the flashier names above him should suppress his ownership.
Jaren Jackson Jr. - MEM - PF/C ($7.7K DK, $7.7K FD)
Jackson’s a boom-or-bust GPP option, but his matchup against Dallas is too good to ignore. The Mavericks rank 24th in rebounding rate and 20th in points allowed per game, giving JJJ a chance to exploit their frontcourt. His 27 percent usage rate and 1.26 DK points per minute are strong, though his recent form (27.7 DK points per game over his last three) has been inconsistent.
Still, Jackson’s 22.2 PPG and 5.6 RPG give him a high ceiling, especially in a game with a 101.9 projected pace. His ability to stretch the floor and block shots adds to his GPP-winning upside. At $7,700 on both sites, he’s a pivot from the pricier Davis with similar potential.
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NBA DFS Value Picks
These players are under $6,000 and offer salary relief without sacrificing upside.
Kel'el Ware - MIA - C ($5.7K DK, $5.7K FD)
Ware is a fantastic value play, especially with his recent uptick in minutes (26.5 per game over his last three). Miami’s rookie big man has been productive, averaging 32.9 DK points over that stretch with 1.05 DK points per minute.
Facing an Atlanta defense that ranks 13th in rebounding rate and allows the 28th-highest 3-point percentage, Ware’s 7.4 RPG and 9.2 PPG give him a safe floor. His 17 percent usage rate and 2.4 rebounding rate increase recently make him a cash game staple, and his $5,700 price on both sites leaves room to pay up for studs like Davis or Young. Don’t sleep on his 30+ DK point upside in this spot.
Zach Edey - MEM - C ($6.2K DK, $6.5K FD)
Edey’s another rookie making waves, and his $6,200 DK price is a bargain for his recent production. Averaging 33.8 DK points over his last three games with 1.15 DK points per minute, Edey’s 8.2 RPG and 9.3 PPG are perfect for a matchup against Dallas’ 24th-ranked rebounding defense.
The 101.9 projected pace and 221.5 game total suggest plenty of possessions, and Edey’s 31.4-minute average recently locks in his floor. His 16% usage rate and 6.5 rebounding rate increase make him a cash game value with GPP upside if he gets hot. At $6,500 on FanDuel, he’s slightly less appealing but still a strong play.
Alec Burks - MIA - PG/SG ($3,600 DK, $4,200 FD)
Burks is the ultimate punt play, offering salary relief at a dirt-cheap $3,600 on DraftKings. His 17.5 minutes per game don’t scream upside, but his recent 17.7 DK points per game over his last three outings make him a viable filler.
Atlanta’s 18th-ranked defensive rating and 16th-most 3-point attempts allowed play into Burks’ strengths as a spot-up shooter. His 16% usage rate and 2.5 rebounding rate increase recently add a sprinkle of upside, especially in a close game with a 100.2 projected pace. Use him to unlock the high-priced studs in cash games or as a low-owned GPP dart throw.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- Top Overall Play: Trae Young - ATL - PG ($8.8K DK, $9.6K FD)
- Best Value: Kel'el Ware - MIA - C ($5.7K DK, $5.7K FD)
- Best Cash Play: Anthony Davis - DAL - PF/C ($10K DK, $10.7K FD)
- Top GPP Target: Tyler Herro - MIA - PG/SG ($9.1K DK, $9.1K FD)
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