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Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 2/25 | Expecting Some Fireworks on Tuesday's Seven-Game Slate!

Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 2/25 | Expecting Some Fireworks on Tuesday's Seven-Game Slate!

Tuesday, February 25th - DFS Plays & Pick 'Ems for Today's NBA Action!

Ryan Humphries
February 25, 2025

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter/X & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

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NBA DFS & Props Shows w/ Tyler & Shannon

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

What should be an entertaining seven-game slate hits the docket on Tuesday. This slate features a mix of some great-looking matchups (MIL at HOU, PHX at MEM, SAS at NOP) and some potential lopsided matchups (BOS at TOR, CLE at ORL, CHA at GSW). And, of course, the big storyline of the day is Luka Doncic taking on his former Dallas Mavericks squad. The injury report is fairly light with just a handful of impact players being listed as “questionable”. This slate is also spread out pretty evenly with two games in the 7 ET window, three in the 8 ET window, and two late games in the 10 ET window, so any significant news will likely be trickling in throughout the evening. It should be a fun one so let’s dig into it! Best of luck!

Today’s Key Injuries

Celtics: J. Holiday - OUT, A. Horford - Questionable, L. Kornet - OUT, N. Queta - Probable, X. Tillman - Probable
Raptors: B. Ingram - OUT, J. Poeltl - Questionable, G. Dick - Probable
Cavs: D. Garland - Questionable
Magic: J. Suggs - OUT
Suns: C. Martin - OUT, M. Morris - Questionable
Grizzlies: None
Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, B. Portis - OUT, G. Trent Jr. - Probable, P. Connaughton - OUT
Rockets: F. VanVleet - Questionable, D. Brooks - Questionable, J. Tate - Questionable
Spurs: C. Bassey - OUT
Pelicans: B. Boston Jr. - OUT
Hornets: L. Ball - OUT, J. Okogie - OUT, D. Jeffries - OUT
Warriors: J. Kuminga - OUT, T. Jackson-Davis - Questionable
Lakers: A. Davis - OUT, PJ Washington - Questionable, D. Gafford - OUT, D. Lively II - OUT, C. Martin - OUT, D. Powell - Doubtful
Lakers: L. James - Probable

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG Luka Doncic, LAL | DK: $10.5k, FD: $11.4k | vs. DAL

The Luka vs. Mavs narrative is impossible to ignore today so this initial player spotlight probably surprises no one. It looks as if he is now operating under little to no restrictions after playing 31+ minutes in back-to-back games. Luka also played much closer to his high standards in his last game during the big win over the Nuggets on Saturday. The Lakers snapped Denver’s nine-game win streak while Luka dropped 32 points, 10 boards, and seven assists with four steals and a block across 31 minutes -- good for 68.0 DKFP/68.5 FDFP. Doncic’s 36.4% USG% on Saturday was also his highest usage rate thus far as a Laker. We’ll see if Luka continues to find his form tonight, and it’s certainly a strong spot to do so as the Mavs have surrendered the second-most FPPG to starting PGs over their L20Games.

PG Ja Morant, MEM | DK: $8.1k, FD: $8.1k | vs. PHX

Injuries and fluctuating minutes have led to some inconsistent DFS scores out of Morant in recent weeks but it has also resulted in him reaching, or coming very close to, season-lows in his DFS pricing as he’s now at $8,100 on both sites. We know Morant is highly capable of returning 6x+ value on these sorts of salaries and he gets an excellent matchup ahead of him tonight. The Suns have turned into one of the best teams to target as they have given up at least 117 points in 10 straight games, ranking 29th in DEFRTG during that span. They also rank dead last in FPPG allowed to starting PGs L20Games. This game leads the slate with a monster 245.5 over/under with the Grizzlies being 7.5-point home favorites. When these two teams met a couple of weeks ago, Morant went for a solid 26/7/6 stat line on a team-leading 34.2% USG% while scoring 44.75 DKFP/44.40 FDFP. Even with the oft-injured Grizzlies now at full strength, I believe Morant should match or exceed those results tonight.

PG/SG Brandin Podziemski, GSW | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6.5k | vs. CHA

At the time of this writing, there isn’t much standout guard value on this slate, though some more options may make themselves clear as further injury news and starting lineups are released. So this final guard spotlight isn’t exactly what I’d consider “cheap” but Brandin Podziemski won’t break the bank and has been playing some quality ball lately. Over his last five games as a starter, Podziemski is averaging 18.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.8 STL+BLK/gm across 34.7 Min/gm. He’s posting a healthy 1.10 FPPM during that span, resulting in 38.3 DKFP/37.8 FDFP per game. The Warriors are massive 16.5-point favorites over the hapless Hornets this evening, so the blowout factor is a concern. But GSW has won each of their last two games in blowout fashion and Podziemski still played 30 minutes in both contests while scoring at least 34.75 DKFP/34.10 FDFP, so he can certainly pay dividends even if he doesn’t log mid/upper-30s minutes. It’s also a great individual matchup for Podziemski as the Hornets have ranked 27th versus starting SGs L20Games, and 29th L5Games.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Kyrie Irving, DAL at LAL

PG/SG Devin Booker, PHX at MEM

PG Steph Curry, GSW vs. CHA

PG/SG Donovan Mitchell, CLE at ORL (Preferred if Garland is out)

SG Desmond Bane, MEM vs. PHX

PG Jose Alvarado, NOP vs. SAS

PG/SG Payton Pritchard, BOS at TOR

PG Ty Jerome, CLE at ORL (Preferred if Garland is out)

PG Kevin Porter Jr., MIL at HOU

SG/SF Gary Trent Jr., MIL at HOU

SG/SF Dante Exum, DAL at LAL

SG/SF Vince Williams Jr., MEM vs. PHX

PG/SG Damion Baugh, CHA at GSW

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

SF/PF Zion Williamson, NOP | DK: $8.5k, FD: $9.2k | vs. SAS

Zion’s minutes are pretty much hard-capped at 28, which is not ideal for a guy with these sorts of high-end price tags. But he has been outstanding on a per-minute basis, averaging 1.68 FPPM in 20 games played this season. He has also been a total monster in his seven home games played this season where he has averaged a ridiculous 1.81 FPPM. Losing Victor Wembanyama, who was essentially a lock to win DPOY, is obviously not ideal for the Spurs’ defense. The vast majority of Zion’s shots -- 94.4% to be exact -- have come in the paint, so he should have his way around the basket without the best rim protector in the NBA there to stop him. These teams just faced each other two nights ago and, while Zion didn’t have a massive performance (22/9/3 with two blocks and two steals), he still led the team with a 31.3% USG% while scoring 45.25 DKFP/48.30 FDFP. I’d consider that sort of DFS score to be about his baseline heading into tonight.

SF/SG Bradley Beal, PHX | DK: $6.4k, FD: $7.1k | at MEM

After moving to a bench role for 15 games, Beal recently regained his spot in the starting lineup and, though he is technically more of a shooting guard, he has SF eligibility on both sites. Regardless of whether he was starting or coming into games off of the bench, Beal has been playing exceptionally well (when he hasn’t been injured), scoring at least 37.0 DKFP/35.8 FDFP over his last five games. He has averaged 24.8 PPG on 59.2% shooting in that span while racking up solid peripheral numbers as well. As mentioned already, this game sets up as an ideal matchup to target for DFS purposes given its huge total, and Beal gets a strong individual matchup as the Grizzlies have allowed the 4th most FPPG to SG starters L20Games.

PF/C Kelly Olynyk, NOP | DK: $4.5k, FD: $4.8k | vs. SAS

Admittedly, I am a little hesitant on this play and if Olynyk’s projected ownership continues to creep up, I’d probably be okay with lowering exposure. But he has cracked the starting lineup for the Pelicans and is playing a hybrid PF/C role, as his DFS positional designations would acuurately suggest. He turned in his best performance of the season against this same Spurs team on Sunday, notching a 14-point/15-rebound double-double and 35.35 DKFP/30.0 FDFP across 25 minutes. The Spurs have allowed the most FPPG to PF starters L20Games and, without Wemby, it’s also a quality matchup for Olynyk when he assumes more of a center position role as well. I’d like to see him receive a few more minutes as a starter but, as it stands, he can still provide some nice value at his current DFS price points.

Other Forwards to Consider

SF/PF LeBron James, LAL vs. DAL

SF/PF Jayson Tatum, BOS at TOR

PF/C Kevin Durant, PHX at MEM

PF/C Evan Mobley, CLE at ORL (Preferred if Garland is out)

PF Paolo Banchero, ORL vs. CLE

SF/SG Trey Murphy III, NOP vs. SAS

PF/C PJ Washington, DAL at LAL (Currently questionable)

SF/SG RJ Barrett, TOR vs. BOS

PF/C Draymond Green, GSW vs. CHA

PF Santi Aldama, MEM vs. PHX

SF/PF Keldon Johnson, SAS at NOP

SF/SG Moses Moody, GSW vs. CHA

PF/C Karlo Matkovic, NOP vs. SAS

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $8.5k, FD: $8.6k | vs. MIL

The Center position feels pretty weak on this slate, so it may not be a bad day to slot in one of those dual-eligible “PF/C” players into the center spot. But paying up for Alperen Sengun, the highest-priced pure center on the board, could also be the move. He can be a frustrating player for DFS purposes, but he also has plenty of 50+ FP upside in the tank and is coming off of a big 55.5 DKFP/52.9 FDFP performance against the Jazz on Sunday. His usage rate has been at 29% over his L5Games, which is a noticeable uptick compared to his 24.8% USG% on the season. This may also be a sneaky-good matchup as the Bucks have ranked dead last versus starting centers L10Games, though a seemingly now healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined for several games in that span. Overall, it’s a “like it, don’t love it” spot for Sengun, but, again, there isn’t a ton to love about the center position on the slate.

PF/C Al Horford, BOS | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.5k | at TOR

While they play totally different positions, the standard operating procedure for when Jrue Holiday (rest/out) has been sidelined is for Al Horford to enter the starting rotation, as recently seen during a four-game stretch between Feb. 6th - Feb. 12th. Horford may not be the same player who once was and is averaging just 0.79 FPPM this season. But he is playing 30.7 Min/gm during his L5Games as a starter and brings some double-double upside to the table with the increase in playing time. Horford has also played well in this matchup, averaging 1.01 FPPM in three previous meetings with Toronto this season. He averaged only 24.3 Min/gm in those three games so, assuming he plays around 30 minutes tonight, he will at least have a larger opportunity to return value on these mid-$4k salaries.

Other Centers to Consider

C Kristaps Porzingis, BOS at TOR

C Jarrett Allen, CLE at ORL

C Brook Lopez, MIL at HOU

C Wendell Carter Jr., ORL vs. CLE

C Bismack Biyombo, SAS at NOP

C Quinten Post, GSW vs. CHA

PrizePicks NBA Power Play of the Day ⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's NBA action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these bets so I don't just lightly throw these out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

Bradley Beal MORE than 18.5 Points

Brandin Podziemski MORE than 14.5 Fantasy Score (1st Half)

🔥 Props AI 🔥

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props AI for NBA – available for LineStar Premium users! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks and UnderDog Fantasy!

Speaking of props, put the Props AI tool to use by signing up for PrizePicks (Promo code: LINESTAR) or Underdog (Promo code: LINESTAR). You'll receive a 100% match on first deposits up to $100 PLUS a free month subscription to LineStar Premium. Many people may not realize that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em, and it’s incredibly easy.

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

🫡 Check out our revamped BetFully Cashback App (iOS only sorry) and get up to $200 cashback for trying new Sportsbook, DFS, horse-racing apps and playing games! ✔️✔️✔️

NBA DFS & Props Shows w/ Tyler & Shannon

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

It’s another busy day in the NBA. Eleven games reside on the Wednesday schedule -- DraftKings will exclude the two late games (PHX/OKC and ORL/SAC) from their main slate while FanDuel will feature the full menu. Trades continue to go down with the biggest move today involving the Bucks and Wizards trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma. The injury report is also a complete fiasco so keep those eyes and ears peeled for all the news that drops throughout the afternoon and evening! Let’s jump into the chaos! Best of luck!

NBA Trade Tracker

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/transactions/trade/

Today’s Key Injuries

Spurs: C. Paul - Questionable, C. Bassey - OUT
Hawks: C. Capela - OUT, B. Bogdanovic - OUT
Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, D. Lillard - Probable, B. Portis - Probable, K. Middleton - OUT (traded), AJ Johnson - OUT (traded)
Hornets: L. Ball - OUT, J. Okogie - OUT, V. Micic - Questionable, T. Mann - OUT, C. Martin - OUT
Cavs: D. Mitchell - Questionable, D. Wade - OUT, I. Okoro - OUT
Pistons: None
Wizards: K. Kuzma - OUT (traded), A. Sarr - OUT, P. Baldwin Jr. - OUT (traded)
Nets: C. Thomas - OUT, N. Clowney - OUT, D. Sharpe - Questionable, T. Watford - OUT
Grizzlies: D. Bane - OUT, B. Clarke - Questionable, M. Smart - Questionable, J. Konchar - Questionable, V. Williams Jr. - Questionable
Raptors: RJ Barrett - OUT, J. Poeltl - OUT, I. Quickley - OUT, C. Boucher - Questionable
Heat: J. Butler - OUT, D. Robinson - Probable, H. Highsmith - Probable
76ers: J. Embiid - OUT, P. George - Doubtful, A. Drummond - Doubtful, Q. Grimes - Questionable (trade pending), E. Gordon - Questionable, K. Lowry - Questionable
Bulls: L. Ball - OUT, T. Jones - OUT, Z. Collins - OUT, T. Horton-Tucker - OUT, K. Huerter - OUT, D. Terry - Questionable
Timberwolves: J. Randle - OUT, D. DiVincenzo - OUT
Warriors: A. Wiggins - Probable, J. Kuminga - OUT, D. Green - Probable, M. Moody - OUT
Jazz: L. Markkanen - Questionable, C. Sexton - OUT, C. Williams - OUT
Pelicans: B. Ingram - OUT, J. Alvarado - Questionable, D. Theis - OUT (traded)
Nuggets: R. Westbrook - OUT, A. Gordon - Questionable, P. Watson - OUT

Late Game Injury Report (FanDuel Main Slate Only)

Suns: K. Durant - OUT
Thunder: C. Holmgren - OUT, C. Wallace - OUT
Magic: J. Suggs - Doubtful
Kings: None

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG/SG Jamal Murray, DEN | DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.3k | vs. NOP

The Nuggets lead the slate with a lofty 124.8 implied team total so the Denver studs will make plenty of sense today. Jamal Murray has been playing very well of late, averaging 1.21 FPPM L5Games and scoring at least 42.0 DKFP/44.0 FDFP in four of those last five games. He has secured 40+ FP in all three previous meetings with the Pelicans this season and, given their 29th-ranked DEFRTG and 29th-ranked DvP versus starting PGs L20Games, Murray’s expectations should be high once again this evening.

PG/SG Isaiah Collier, UTA | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.2k | vs. GSW

Perhaps not the most exciting DFS play, but Isaiah Collier has provided some quality value in recent weeks, routinely returning 6x value at these low-$5k price points. Collier’s minutes and role should be more secure with Collin Sexton (ankle/out) expected to be sidelined for at least a week -- with Sexton only playing three minutes in Monday’s game, Collier went on to supply a point/assist double-double in 32 minutes versus the Pacers. Collier has also shot it significantly better at home this season with a 48.5% FG% versus a 32.6% FG% on the road. This may not be the best match-up but Collier did post a quality 12/6/9 stat line and 31.0 DKFP/28.7 FDFP against the Warriors just last Tuesday, and that was with Sexton active and putting up 30 points of his own.

SG Gradey Dick, TOR | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.6k | vs. MEM

The Raptors will be shorthanded today with RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, and Immanuel Quickley ruled out. Gradey Dick has seen a notable +4.5% USG% boost with those three players off the court this season along with a +5.8 FP per 32 minutes increase. Both teams in this game rank top 10 in pace, with Memphis ranking 1st in the NBA, so there will be plenty of possessions to go around. If the Raptors (+10.5) hope to pull off the upset, Gradey Dick will likely need to be heavily involved in the scoring.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Cade Cunningham, DET vs. CLE

PG Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs. MIA

PG/SG Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. CHI

SG/SF Trey Murphy III, NOP at DEN

PG Darius Garland, CLE at DET (Boost if D. Mitchell is out)

PG/SG Dyson Daniels, ATL vs. SAS

PG Josh Giddey, CHI at MIN

PG Jordan Poole, WAS at BKN

PG Keyonte George, UTA vs. GSW

SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly, WAS at BKN

SG/SF Christian Braun, DEN vs. NOP

PG/SG Keon Johnson, BKN vs. WAS

PG Ty Jerome, CLE at DET (Preferred if D. Mitchell is out)

PG Jamal Shead, TOR vs. MEM

FanDuel Main Slate Only

SG/SF Devin Booker, PHX at OKC

PG/SG Malik Monk, SAC vs. ORL

PG/SG Cole Anthony, ORL at SAC

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.7k | at TOR

Over the last two games, JJJ has led the Grizzlies in scoring, with 31 and 37 points, as well as usage rate, with 31.8% USG% and 43.8% USG%. One of those games was without Ja Morant, but the other was without Desmond Bane, who will be out once again tonight. For a big man, Jackson is not a very prolific rebounder, but he can rack up multiple blocks and steals on any given night and he’ll draw a strong individual match-up. The Raptors have ranked 27th versus starting PFs L20Games and when these teams met in late December, Jackson dropped 50.25 DKFP/49.2 FDFP. I believe we can get a similar result out of him this evening.

SF/PF Michael Porter Jr., DEN | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.6k | vs. NOP

MPJ has mostly been a solid floor play throughout this season but he erupted for 36 points and 52.75 DKFP/49.4 FDFP against this same Pelicans team on Monday. I believe the Peyton Watson (knee/out) injury is a bit underrated in regards to Porter’s role. Watson has been a key piece off of the Nuggets’ bench this season and, with Watson sidelined the last two games, Porter has played 40+ minutes in each contest. We can’t expect a repeat performance from Monday but I’d say 40+ FP is well within Porter’s wheelhouse tonight.

PF Matas Buzelis, CHI | DK: $4k, FD: $4.2k | at MIN

The Bulls took Buzelis with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Zach LaVine shipped off to the Kings and none of the recently acquired players (Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones) ready to make their Chicago debut, Buzelis will have a chance to continue playing in an expanded role. He logged a season-high 31 minutes off of the bench in last night’s game versus the Heat and went on to score 24 points and 32.0 DKFP/31.4 FDFP. Buzelis has averaged a respectable 0.92 FPPM L5Games and, should he flirt with 30 minutes again tonight, he’ll be a great bet to return some nice value.

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHA

SF/PG Scottie Barnes, TOR vs. MEM

PF/C Evan Mobley, CLE at DET (Boost if D. Mitchell is out)

PF/C John Collins, UTA vs. GSW

PF/C Naz Reid, MIN vs. CHI

PF/C Guerschon Yabusele, PHI vs. MIA

SF/PF Zaccharie Risacher, ATL vs. SAS

SF/PF Justin Edwards, PHI vs. MIA

SF/SG Corey Kispert, WAS at BKN

SF/PF Gregory Jackson, MEM at TOR

SF/PF Justin Champagnie WAS at BKN (Preferred if starting)

SF/SG Ja’Kobe Walter, TOR vs. MEM (Preferred if starting)

FanDuel Main Slate Only

PF/SF Paolo Banchero, ORL at SAC

SF/SG Grayson Allen, PHX at OKC

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Rudy Gobert, MIN | DK: $6.8k, FD: $6.9k | vs. CHI

Gobert continues to play some of his best basketball of the season following a 19/13/3 (plus two blocks and a steal) stat line against the Kings on Monday. He has now scored at least 37.0 DKFP/36.5 FDFP in five of his last six games, including three games of at least 47.25 DKFP/48.1 FDFP in that span. Gobert has averaged +4.6 FP per 32 minutes with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo (both out) off the floor this season and, as always, the Bulls represent an elite match-up for opposing centers, ranking 29th against the position this season. Gobert’s DFS salaries are on the up and up but there’s still some real upside at his sub-$7k price points.

C Kelly Olynyk, TOR | DK: $3.3k, FD: $4k | vs. MEM

There is some pretty clear value here with Kelly Olynyk expected to start in place of the injured Jakob Poeltl. In his only other start this season, which also came against the Grizzlies in late December, Olynyk averaged 1.20 FPPM and scored 27.75 DKFP/25.50 FDFP. Olynyk only played 23 minutes in that game but I believe he could get closer to 26-28 minutes as the starter tonight. Either way, he won’t have to do much to pay off these bottom-of-the-barrel salaries tonight.

Other Centers to Consider

C Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. NOP

C Victor Wembanyama, SAS at ATL

C Mark Williams, CHA vs. MIL

C Jalen Duren, DET vs. CLE

C Kel’el Ware, MIA at PHI

C Zach Edey, MEM at TOR

C Kevon Looney, GSW at UTA

C Quinten Post, GSW at UTA

FanDuel Main Slate Only

C/PF Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. ORL

C Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC vs. PHX

PrizePicks NBA Power Play of the Day ⚡

No picks from me today but, as always, Tyler & Shannon have some great recommendations in the props video posted at the top of this newsletter!

🔥 Props AI 🔥

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!