Welcome back Rotoballers, Happy Monday! Tonight’s six-game slate brings a variety of matchups, from blowout potential in Minnesota at Washington to a pace-up shootout between Memphis and Houston. With injury news impacting key rotations, there’s a mix of elite plays, mid-range values, and low-cost sleepers to balance your lineups.
Whether you’re playing cash games or GPPs, leveraging matchups and implied team totals will be critical. Let’s dive into my favorite Core plays, Tournament Plays, and Value plays for tonight’s slate.
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/13/25. 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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FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks
Anthony Edwards – MIN – SG/SF ($9,200)
Anthony Edwards is in a smash spot tonight against the Washington Wizards, who rank dead last in defensive efficiency. Washington’s inability to defend the perimeter plays directly into Edwards’ strengths, as he thrives in matchups where he can dominate as a scorer and playmaker. With Minnesota carrying an implied team total of 118.8, Edwards is poised to lead the offensive charge with his 30% usage rate.
He’s been incredibly consistent in high-total games like this, and his ceiling of over 50 FanDuel points makes him an ideal centerpiece for any lineup. Whether you’re playing cash games or chasing upside in tournaments, Edwards offers a fantastic combination of reliability and slate-breaking potential on this slate.
Julius Randle – MIN – PF ($7,400)
Julius Randle is an appealing mid-range option tonight in a matchup against the Washington Wizards. Washington has been one of the worst teams in the league at defending and rebounding in the paint, and this is the type of game where Randle can dominate. His ability to crash the boards and contribute as a secondary playmaker makes him a versatile DFS asset.
At $7,400, his salary feels slightly discounted, especially given Minnesota’s high implied total of 118.8. With his consistent minutes and double-double potential, Randle is a strong core play in cash games. In tournaments, his ceiling grows even higher if he can contribute with defensive stats, which are always a possibility against a sloppy Wizards offense.
Victor Wembanyama – SAS – C ($11,300)
Victor Wembanyama is the clear top-tier option on tonight’s slate, offering unmatched upside in a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Wembanyama’s ability to fill up the stat sheet in all categories makes him a true slate-breaker. The Lakers’ frontcourt has been vulnerable to big men who can stretch the floor and dominate in the paint, and Wembanyama is uniquely suited to exploit those weaknesses.
While his salary is steep, his ability to rack up points, rebounds, blocks, and assists provides an elite floor with the potential for a 60+ FanDuel point outing. In a game with a relatively tight spread, expect San Antonio to lean heavily on Wembanyama to carry the offensive load, making him a must-consider option for GPPs and an anchor in your cash lineups.
Fred VanVleet – HOU – PG ($7,500)
Fred VanVleet has quietly been one of the most consistent fantasy contributors for the Rockets, and he’s in an excellent spot tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. In what is expected to be the highest-scoring game of the slate with a 235.5 total, VanVleet’s minutes and role as a floor general make him an outstanding option at his salary. With a usage rate hovering around 20% and consistent playing time of 35+ minutes, he offers a solid combination of floor and ceiling.
Memphis has struggled to contain opposing guards, allowing a significant number of assists and three-point opportunities, both of which VanVleet thrives on. His salary makes him accessible for most lineup builds, and his strong upside in this pace-up environment makes him a core consideration for both cash games and tournaments.
FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Alperen Sengun – HOU – C ($9,500)
Alperen Sengun has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Houston Rockets this season, and he’s positioned for another big night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Sengun’s ability to stuff the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assists gives him triple-double potential every time he steps on the court.
What makes him particularly intriguing for tournaments is his high salary, which may deter casual players from rostering him. In a pace-up game with a slate-high total of 235.5, Sengun has a massive ceiling, especially if Memphis struggles to contain his playmaking and ability to dominate the boards. He’s a great leverage play for those looking to gain an edge in large-field GPPs.
Austin Reaves – LAL – PG/SG ($7,500)
Austin Reaves presents a strong tournament option tonight against the San Antonio Spurs, who rank 25th in defensive efficiency. Reaves has demonstrated the ability to fill multiple roles for the Lakers, excelling as both a scorer and playmaker. This versatility makes him especially appealing in GPPs, where his upside can shine in a favorable matchup.
The Spurs defense has struggled against guards who can create off the dribble and knock down perimeter shots, which aligns perfectly with Reaves’ skill set. His $7,500 salary is reasonable for his potential to exceed 40 FanDuel points if he gets hot, making him a sneaky upside play in a game where the Lakers should have the upper hand.
Norman Powell – LAC – SG/SF ($6,900)
Norman Powell has transitioned into a starting role for the Clippers, but his playing style still mirrors that of a fringe sixth man. While he isn’t the focal point of the offense, Powell’s ability to score efficiently makes him a strong tournament option. He thrives in situations where he can take advantage of defensive lapses, and against Miami’s slower pace, his lower ownership could provide an edge in GPPs.
Despite Miami’s strong defense, their primary focus will be on containing the Clippers’ stars, which should open up opportunities for Powell to find his spots and contribute. His $6,900 salary is fair for a player who can score in bunches while adding modest contributions in rebounds and assists. Powell’s upside is tied to his ability to get hot from the field, making him a solid GPP pivot with the potential to exceed his salary if the shots fall.
Jaren Jackson Jr. – MEM – PF/C ($9,000)
Jaren Jackson Jr. offers slate-breaking potential in his matchup against the Houston Rockets. Known for his defensive prowess, JJJ can rack up blocks and rebounds at an elite rate, which pairs well with Houston’s aggressive and fast-paced style of play. The Rockets rank in the top tier of pace, creating additional possessions and opportunities for Jackson to pile up fantasy points.
His offensive game has also shown flashes of dominance, particularly in matchups where he can exploit slower or less disciplined defenders. At $9,000, Jackson is a strong tournament play who could deliver a massive ceiling if he gets going on both ends of the floor.
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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks
Rudy Gobert – MIN – C ($6,300)
Rudy Gobert is an excellent value tonight, particularly in cash games, as he faces a Washington Wizards team that ranks near the bottom in both rebounding and defensive efficiency. Gobert’s role as a dominant rebounder gives him a high floor, especially against a team that struggles to keep opposing centers off the boards.
At just $6,300, his salary is modest for a player with double-double potential and the ability to chip in with a handful of blocks. Washington’s lack of interior presence makes this an ideal matchup for Gobert to post a solid fantasy outing, offering stability for cash lineups and some sneaky upside for tournaments.
Jaden McDaniels – MIN – SF/PF ($4,800)
Jaden McDaniels provides affordable access to the Timberwolves’ high implied total of 118.8, making him an attractive value option tonight. McDaniels has a well-rounded game, capable of contributing in scoring, rebounding, and defensive stats, which boosts his floor. His defensive versatility also keeps him on the court for extended minutes, giving him more opportunities to accumulate fantasy points.
At $4,800, his salary allows for flexibility in lineup construction, enabling you to fit in higher-priced studs. Against a weak Wizards defense, McDaniels has a clear path to outperform his price tag.
Haywood Highsmith – MIA – SF/PF ($4,000)
With Jimmy Butler suspended, Haywood Highsmith steps into a larger role for the Miami Heat, making him one of the top punt plays on the slate. Highsmith has shown the ability to contribute across multiple categories when given minutes, and at near-minimum pricing, he offers significant upside relative to his salary.
The matchup against the Clippers isn’t ideal pace-wise, but the lack of other high-usage players in Miami’s lineup boosts his chances of hitting 25+ FanDuel points. If you’re looking for a low-cost option to free up salary for stars, Highsmith is a great choice.
Zach Edey – MEM – C ($4,900)
Zach Edey is a high-risk, high-reward value option for GPPs. While his minutes are limited, his per-minute production makes him a tantalizing play at just $4,900. Against a fast-paced Houston team, Edey’s rebounding and shot-blocking ability could allow him to rack up points in a hurry.
He’s not a safe cash game option due to his inconsistent role, but if he sees 20+ minutes, his upside is undeniable. For those willing to roll the dice in tournaments, Edey is an intriguing dart throw with the potential to crush his price point.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- Favorite Overall Play: Anthony Edwards ($9,200)
- Top Value: Rudy Gobert ($6,300)
- Cash Play: Julius Randle ($7,400)
- GPP Play: Alperen Şengün ($9,500)
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