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Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 3/13 | Dissecting Thursday's (Mostly) Injury-Free Slate!

Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 3/13 | Dissecting Thursday's (Mostly) Injury-Free Slate!

Thursday, March 13th - DFS Plays & Pick 'Ems for Today's NBA Action!

Ryan Humphries
March 13, 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 📰

A nice and tidy five-game slate hits the docket this Thursday evening. I don’t want to speak too soon, but this is one of the lightest injury reports we’ve seen in a long time. There are still some notable players who are out tonight (LeBron & Giddey looking like the two most notable) and a couple of "questionable" impact players (Luka & Sabonis), but, for the most part, teams are fairly healthy on this slate. As a result, locating value may end up being a taller task, but there will also be fewer headaches to deal with, so it balances out in the end. Let’s get into it! Best of luck!

Today’s Key Injuries

Wizards: B. Coulibaly - OUT, M. Brogdon - OUT
Pistons: None
Lakers: L. Doncic - Questionable, L. James - OUT, R. Hachimura - OUT, J. Hayes - OUT
Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, D. Lillard - Probable
Nets: N. Clowney - OUT
Bulls: J. Giddey - OUT, L. Ball - Doubtful
Magic: None
Pelicans: K. Olynyk - OUT, Y. Missi - OUT, B. Boston Jr. - OUT
Kings: D. Sabonis - Questionable, T. Lyles - Questionable
Warriors: J. Kuminga - Probable, B. Podziemski - OUT

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 Austin Reaves, LAL | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.9k | at MIL

There are, of course, a few elite guards that we’ll have the opportunity to spend up on in Doncic (questionable), Cunningham, Curry, or Lillard. But we’ll get things rolling closer to the mid-range with Austin Reaves. The biggest question mark on the slate is Luka Doncic (ankle/questionable). Odds are, Luka is closer to playing than not but the Lakers would still be shorthanded with LeBron, Hachimura, and Hayes all ruled out for tonight. With those three players (plus Anthony Davis) off the floor this season, Reaves has acquired a +8.1% USG% boost and has averaged +8.0 FP per 32 minutes. He’s coming off of a 17/8/10 performance against the Nets on Monday, falling two boards shy of a triple-double, and though the Lakers are seven-point underdogs tonight, you could argue that this is a better matchup versus the Bucks than the slow-paced Nets. Milwaukee has played at the 6th fastest pace over their L15Games and they rank 24th versus starting guards over their L20Games. If Luka is ruled out, Reaves' ceiling will rise even higher, but the risk of the Lakers getting blown out also increases. Either way, Reaves is firmly on the radar today.

PG/SF Cam Thomas, BKN | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.5k | at CHI

Thomas nearly helped lead his team to a sizable upset over the Cavs on Tuesday, dropping 27 points in the five-point loss. But it was encouraging to see him get up to 32 minutes after such a long injury absence in the middle of the season. In the five games since making his return, Thomas has rocked a massive 36.3% USG%, which leads all players on the entire slate. He doesn’t offer much in the way of peripheral stats, but if his shot gets rolling and he continues to play around 32 minutes, he could easily pop off for 40+ FP, as we saw out of him on plenty of occasions earlier in the season when he was healthy. Since Thomas is so scoring-dependent, he does carry some risk, but it’s a great spot versus the Bulls, who are 5th in pace and 24th in DEFRTG this season.

SG/SF Kevin Huerter, CHI | DK: $4.3k, FD: $4.8k | vs. BKN

On the other side of this game, we should be able to find some value in the Bulls backcourt. Josh Giddey is out with an ankle sprain, Lonzo Ball is doubtful with a wrist injury, and Ayo Dosunmu underwent season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month. That should open up a spot in the starting rotation for Kevin Huerter. The minutes have been there for Huerter lately as he has played at least 28 minutes in six of his last seven games. He’s averaging over nine three-point attempts per game in that span and has made a solid 39% of those shots from deep. Huerter received one previous start with the Bulls back on February 24th against the 76ers. In that game, Huerter went for 23 points, four assists, and two steals (36.5 DKFP/35.0 FDFP) and logged 34 minutes. If he continues to chuck up the threes, Huerter should fare well tonight against the Nets, who have allowed the 6th highest 3P% this season.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Luka Doncic, LAL at MIL (Currently questionable)

PG Cade Cunningham, DET vs. WAS

PG D’Angelo Russell, BKN at CHI

PG Tre Jones, CHI vs. BKN

PG/SG Cole Anthony, ORL at NOP

PG/SG Gabe Vincent, LAL at MIL (Preferred if Doncic is out)

SG/SF Gary Payton II, GSW vs. SAC

SG/SF Jordan Goodwin, LAL at MIL (Preferred if Doncic is out)

PG Kevin Porter Jr., MIL vs. LAL

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | DK: $11.7k, FD: $11.5k | vs. LAL

It’s difficult to imagine Giannis struggling tonight versus a Lakers frontcourt that will likely be starting Alex Len and Dorian Finney-Smith. The latter is a decent defender, but the Lakers just aren’t well-equipped to slow down physical bigs, and that has shown through the fact that they have allowed the 2nd most FPPG to start power forwards L20Games. We haven’t seen a true monster game out of Giannis in quite some time but he continues to provide a very high floor and perhaps he brings a little extra juice into this nationally televised game. Giannis is also at his best at home, where he averages +7.8% more FPPG than on the road.

SF/SG Coby White, CHI | DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.4k | vs. BKN

Coby White is only PG/SG eligible on FanDuel but does carry SF (and SG) eligibility on DraftKings. He’s been playing more at the three lately and has turned in some highly productive games. Over his last five games, White has rocked a hefty 30% USG% and has scored 29.0 PPG on 21.0 FGA/gm. In just under 230 minutes played with Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Lonzo Ball, and Zach LaVine (traded) off the floor this season, White has led the team with a +8.2% USG% bump while averaging +8.74 more FP per 32 minutes. White has put up at least 38.75 DKFP/35.90 FDFP in five of his last six games, and we should anticipate another productive performance tonight versus a Nets team that ranks 24th in DEFRTG L10Games.

PF/C Karlo Matkovic, NOP | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.9k | vs. ORL

Matkovic makes another newsletter appearance as a value play and, for the most part, he has worked out pretty well from a DFS standpoint. Matkovic should snag another spot start with both Kelly Olynyk and Yves Missi sidelined for the Pelicans’ frontcourt tonight. Matkovic has averaged a quality 1.10 FPPM over his last six games and, in three games as a starter this season, he has posted 30.2 DKFP/29.9 FDFP per game across 32.5 Min/gm. It’s a tough matchup versus the Magic but we still have to like Matkovic given his strong odds of returning 6x (or better) value, assuming he plays another 30+ minutes as a starter.

Other Forwards to Consider

SF/PF Zion Williamson, NOP vs. ORL

PF Paolo Banchero, ORL at NOP

SF/PF Jimmy Butler, GSW vs. SAC

PF Cameron Johnson, BKN at CHI

PF Tobias Harris, DET vs. WAS

PF Matas Buzelis, CHI vs. BKN

SF/SG Dalton Knecht, LAL at MIL (Only if starting again)

SF Bruce Brown, NOP vs. ORL (Only if starting again)

SF/PF Jake LaRavia, SAC at GSW (Boost if Sabonis & T. Lyles are out)

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Jalen Duren, DET | DK: $6.9k, FD: $7.5k | vs. WAS

It’s a weak slate for centers, but one guy we can place some confidence in is Jalen Duren. While Duren can be a volatile player at times, he has an elite matchup in front of him and is averaging an excellent 1.40 FPPM over his last 20 games. Due to the blowout factor, Duren was only tasked with playing 25 minutes in this same matchup versus the Wizards on Tuesday, but that was enough time for him to rack up a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double and a solid 36.25 DKFP/35.60 FDFP. He can get closer to 30 minutes if the Wizards manage to make this a more competitive game tonight, and Washington has surrendered the 2nd most FPPG to starting centers L20Games.

C Isaiah Stewart, DET | DK: $3.5k, FD: $4.3k | vs. WAS

I’m not used to spotlighting two centers on the same team, but Isaiah Stewart continues to set up as a worthy value play, particularly on DraftKings at his low $3,500 price point. He has scored at least 21.75 DKFP in three of his last four games and is averaging 1.06 FPPM in that span. The Wizards have ranked dead last in FPPG allowed to bench players L20Games, and if Stewart logs around 20 minutes again tonight, he’s very unlikely to burn you and brings plenty of 6x upside to the table (on DraftKings).

Other Centers to Consider

C Jonas Valanciunas, SAC at GSW (Only if Sabonis remains out)

C Draymond Green, GSW vs. SAC

C Nic Claxton, BKN at CHI

C Wendell Carter Jr., ORL at NOP

C Mo Bamba, NOP vs. ORL

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.

(Going for three cashes in a row!)

Giannis Antetokounmpo MORE than 12.5 Rebounds

Coby White MORE than 22.5 Points

🔥 Props AI 🔥

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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!