NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (5/24/25)

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 May 24, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We are back for Game 3 between the OKC Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. OKC took Minnesota down once again, but now they travel to Minnesota to see if they can continue to ride the hot hand or if Minnesota will stifle them and get a game back in the series.

I will help you dive into the slate and hopefully bring in some more cash for the rest of the playoffs! This article will focus on the top guys to play at MVP, some flex guys to put in your utility spots, and a couple of value options to make the rest of the lineup work! 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 5/24/25. 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 are the guys you want headlining your lineups at the MVP position (on FanDuel) or Captain position (on DraftKings). Note: FanDuel has now moved to the same type of dynamic pricing that DraftKings uses, where the MVP selection costs 1.5x their regular salary.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC - PG ($18.3K DK, $24.3K FD)

I'm going to keep it here with SGA once again. He showed why he was the MVP, leading the charge with 38 points in 42 minutes of play. Extending his streak to five straight of 30+ points. His ability to get to the line is unmatched.

Outside of SGA, only Jalen Williams has shown they can produce anywhere close to what he can. Getting SGA can be quite expensive at MVP, but he will likely be 90% owned or more, regardless of MVP or utility, so grabbing him is going to be necessary.

Anthony Edwards, MIN - SG/SF ($17.1K DK, $22.2K FD)

I choked in Game 2 with Julius Randle, and although I still think he is a good play, it's obvious that we need to pay up for Anthony Edwards and SGA. Both guys dropped 50+ in Game 2, and they're heading to Minnesota for Game 3.

Edwards has played extremely well at home during the playoffs, dropping 47+ fantasy points in all five games. He also had 57+ in three of those. I'm expecting Minnesota to play a much better game at home than they did in the first two games of the series.

Others To Consider: Jalen Williams - SF/PF, Julius Randle - PF/C

Today's NBA DFS Utility

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

Jalen Williams, OKC - SF/PF ($9.4K DK, $13K FD)

Jalen Williams has looked great against Minnesota, finishing with 47 and 50 FP in the first two games. I haven't been able to get him or Chet Holmgren right. They seem to do better when I don't tout them. That being said, though, you should probably get a bit of both guys.

This game is very tight when it comes to elite fantasy scoring, so you have to fit the best guys in where you can. Jalen Williams has been a great duo alongside SGA this season, and he should be able to keep it up here in Minnesota.

JALEN WILLIAMS

ALL STAR
ALL DEFENSE
ALL NBA pic.twitter.com/RB7N06r5lE

— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) May 23, 2025

Jaden McDaniels, MIN - SF/PF ($7.6K DK, $8.2K FD)

I'm going back to McDaniels here; he looked much better in Game 2, playing 35 minutes and finishing with 32 fantasy points. He didn't end up with much outside of points and blocks, but that may be all he needs to make value here. Anything more than that and it'll just be a bonus. McDaniels is probably the best cheap option for MVP if you want someone who can save you a bit of money elsewhere.

Others To Consider: Chet Holmgren - PF/C

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Luguentz Dort, OKC - SG/SF ($3.8K DK, $3K FD)

I'm not sure I understand the price point here for Dort. I know the minutes have been up and down, but like Alex Caruso, he can be a menace on defense. Getting those defensive stats like steals and blocks can be huge. At his price, we aren't expecting much from him, but if he can put anything up in the mid-20s. That will be a huge win for his value on this slate, making us want to pay for the heavy hitters.

Lu Dort named to 2024-25 @Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team 👏 pic.twitter.com/gjlKKcJ0dQ

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 22, 2025

Naz Reid, MIN - PF/C ($6.4K DK, $5K FD)

Naz Reid is being relied on more in this series due to his ability to be more mobile than Rudy Gobert on the court. He has had 28 minutes in both games against OKC so far and 20+ fantasy points in both. He hasn't shot the ball extremely well, but if he can get the shot to start falling, he can be a lethal part of this offense. Getting us some great value in the process.

Others to Consider: Donte DiVincenzo - PG/SG, Cason Wallace - PG/SG

As the NBA playoffs heat up, so do the opportunities to win more in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) on DraftKings and FanDuel. Staying informed on late-breaking NBA injury news is critical for success, so be sure to leverage RotoBaller’s expert insights and tools throughout the day to gain an edge on the field.

Whether you're grinding out GPPs or locking in safe cash game picks, a smart NBA DFS strategy can make all the difference. Good luck tonight, and may your lineups crush!

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