NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/28/25)

April 28, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use CeeGee's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on April 28, 2025.

Happy Monday Rotoballers! We’ve got a compact two-game slate on tap, featuring Cleveland at Miami and Houston at Golden State. With a smaller slate, every decision is magnified, whether you’re locking in cash game anchors or chasing GPP upside.

Injury news is critical tonight, with Darius Garland and Jimmy Butler III listed as questionable, potentially shaking up usage and minutes. The Cavaliers are heavy favorites (-8.5) against a depleted Heat squad, while the Warriors (-3.5) face a gritty Rockets team in a game with a low 202.5 total.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/28/25. 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. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

These are the guys you can build around, offering a mix of floor and upside for both cash games and tournaments.

Donovan Mitchell – CLE – PG/SG ($8.5K DK, $8.7K FD)

Mitchell is the slate’s premier spend-up, and for good reason. Cleveland’s 109.5 implied total is the highest on the board, and Miami’s defense ranks 13th in points allowed to guards, giving Mitchell a juicy matchup. With Garland questionable, Mitchell’s 30 percent usage rate will climb even higher if he's out. In this series, Mitchell is averaging 24.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.30 fantasy points per minute. He’s a cash game lock and a GPP cornerstone.

Alperen Sengun – HOU – C ($9K DK, $8.4K FD)

Sengun is a stud who thrives in tough matchups, and this one against Golden State is no exception. The Warriors rank seventh in rebounding rate but only 18th in 3-point percentage allowed, meaning Sengun’s interior dominance (19.2 points, 10.4 rebounds per game) should shine. His 26 percent usage rate and 1.37 DK points per minute make him a safe bet to approach 40 fantasy points, with upside for more if the game stays close. Houston’s top-ranked rebounding rate gives Sengun extra possessions to rack up double-doubles. He’s a must-play in all formats, especially on FanDuel, where his $8,400 price is a steal.

Evan Mobley – CLE – PF/C ($8K DK, $8K FD)

Mobley is a sneaky high-upside play against Miami, who rank 18th in rebounding rate and 12th in points allowed to bigs. With Garland potentially out, Mobley’s 23 percent usage rate could tick up. He's averaging 18.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in this series, and his 1.33 DK points per minute are elite for his price. Cleveland’s fast pace (10th) should lead to extra transition opportunities against Miami’s sluggish offense (27th). Mobley’s ability to contribute blocks and steals adds to his appeal in GPPs, while his floor makes him viable for cash games.

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

These players might fly under the radar, but have the ceiling to match the chalkier options.

Jonathan Kuminga – GSW – PF/SF ($4.2K DK, $4.3K FD)

If Butler sits, Kuminga could start again, and even if he doesn’t, his 27 percent usage off the bench is enticing at this price. Houston ranks eighth in points allowed to forwards, and their 18th-ranked pace aligns well with Kuminga’s athletic, transition-heavy style. Averaging 15.4 points and 4.6 rebounds, Kuminga’s 1.09 DK points per minute give him 30-point upside in just 24-26 minutes. His ownership should be lower than that of top-tier Players like Curry, making him a sharp GPP pivot.

Amen Thompson – HOU – PG/SF/SG ($7.1K DK, $7.6K FD)

Thompson is a high-risk, high-reward play against Golden State, who rank 7th in rebounding rate but 8th in 3-point attempts allowed. Thompson’s versatility (14.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists) and 1.09 DK points per minute make him a stat-sheet stuffer. His 17 percent usage rate could spike if Houston leans on his playmaking to counter Golden State’s small-ball lineups. Thompson’s multi-category production gives him a massive ceiling, perfect for GPPs where Sengun and Fred VanVleet might suppress ownership.

Ty Jerome – CLE – PG ($5K DK, $5.3K FD)

Jerome is a sneaky tournament dart throw if Garland is ruled out. He’s averaged 23.1 fantasy points in 19.9 minutes, with a 23 percent usage rate and 1.16 DK points per minute. Miami’s 13th-ranked 3-point percentage allowed plays into Jerome’s hands, as he’s a capable shooter who can capitalize on open looks. His price keeps ownership low, but his potential for 25-30 fantasy points in a larger role makes him a great differentiator in large-field GPPs.

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Sam Merrill – CLE – SG/SF ($3.3K DK, $3.8K FD)

If Garland is out, Merrill is likely to start, and even as a bench piece, his 14 percent usage and 0.75 DK points per minute are appealing at this price. Miami’s 17th-ranked 3-point attempts allowed make Merrill a prime candidate for a hot shooting night, especially with Cleveland’s 10th-ranked pace creating extra possessions. At near-minimum salary, Merrill’s 15-20 fantasy point potential is a budget-saver for cash games and GPPs alike.

Jabari Smith Jr. – HOU – PF/C ($4.5K DK, $4.5K FD)

Smith is a valuable gem against Golden State, who rank seventh in rebounding rate but eighth in points allowed to bigs. Smith’s 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game come with a 0.84 DK points per minute rate, and his 30.1 minutes ensure a solid floor. Houston’s top-ranked rebounding rate gives Smith extra chances to clean up misses, and his price makes him a perfect fit for balanced builds. He’s a cash game staple with GPP upside if he gets hot from three.

Quinten Post – GSW – C ($4K DK, $4K FD)

Post is a deep value play who’s seen 21.4 minutes recently, producing 17.0 fantasy points with a 1.03 DK points per minute rate. Houston’s eighth-ranked points allowed to centers isn’t ideal, but their 18th-ranked 3-point percentage allowed could open up Post’s mid-range and rebounding game. At minimum salary, Post’s 15-20 fantasy point potential is a steal for GPPs, especially if the Warriors go big at times to counter Sengun.

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: Donovan Mitchell
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Alperen Sengun
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jonathan Kuminga
• My favorite value play: Sam Merrill

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis