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It’s Tuesday, February 25th — the first Tuesday returning from the NBA’s All-Star break.
Tonight, we have an exciting doubleheader featured on TNT/truTV/Max, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Orlando Magic. Following that, at 10 p.m. ET, the Dallas Mavericks face off against their former star Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers, which should make for one of the most fascinating matchups of the evening.
Let’s take a look at our top picks and strategies for NBA DFS lineups for tonight’s games.
### Luka Dončić (PG – LAL)
Luka Dončić is definitely a must-have in our lineups tonight. He’s squaring off against the Dallas Mavericks, a team that controversially traded him to the Lakers a few weeks back in a deal that involved Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and others. You can be sure Dončić will come into this game with a significant motivation against his old team in his new surroundings.
The 25-year-old just delivered an outstanding performance with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals while also blocking a shot and hitting four 3-pointers against the Nuggets in Denver last Saturday. Over the last two games, he has tallied an average of 23 points, 10.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 3-pointers. He is heating up at the perfect time to make an impact against his previous teammates.
### Damian Lillard (PG – MIL)
If you believe Luka might be too fired up for his revenge game, or if you’re looking to include both Dončić and Damian Lillard in your lineup, Lillard presents great value. Opting for him allows you to save some salary, particularly on FanDuel.
Lillard boasts an average of 44.6 fantasy points per game as he prepares to face a team with a 24th-ranked defense against opponents, making this a prime opportunity for him to shine in Houston. The seasoned guard had a solid outing against Miami recently, scoring 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-12 from behind the arc, while contributing eight assists and three rebounds.
The last encounter Lillard had with the Rockets resulted in a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists in 36 minutes played on November 18th in Milwaukee.
### Kevin Durant (PF, C – PHX)
It’s rare to see Kevin Durant’s salary drop this low, especially on DraftKings, so this is a chance you shouldn’t miss. He is still putting up an average of 43.6 fantasy points per game and faces a favorable matchup against Memphis in what promises to be a high-scoring game, with the Grizzlies ranking 31st for opponent defense.
In three games after the All-Star break, Durant has averaged 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists — numbers that are somewhat below his typical standard. However, he has also made six 3-pointers during this span. His last game saw him record three steals and three blocks in 30 minutes against Toronto, which is a encouraging sign.
Durant is primed for a breakout performance, especially in a game projected to total 245.5 points, hinting at a potential for scoring and fantasy points to follow.
### De’Aaron Fox (PG, SG – SAS)
Another player to consider as a core option is De’Aaron Fox. While we’ve leaned towards point guards, there are plenty of excellent choices available. He’s matched up against the generous New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans today. Currently, Fox is averaging 43.8 fantasy points per game, and with the Pelicans ranking 26th in defense against opponents, he’s set up for a strong performance.
In the last five games, Fox has scored 23 or more points four times. However, his recent outing showed him struggling with a 3-of-16 shooting night, resulting in just 13 points, alongside seven rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal over 34 minutes. Look for Fox to bounce back and return to the 25-5-5 range at a minimum.
### Zion Williamson (SF, PF – NOP)
In the same matchup as Fox, Zion Williamson is an exceptional DFS pick. While there’s always a higher-than-normal risk of injury with the oft-injured forward, if he manages to complete the game, he’s facing an ideal matchup against Victor Wembanyama, who is no longer clogging the lane for the Spurs.
Williamson scored 22 points along with nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals in the first part of the back-to-back. He has been averaging 28 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game over his last three contests, which is very impressive.
### Ja Morant (PG – MEM)
Among the notable point guards is Ja Morant, who is a strong contender tonight against the Suns in what’s anticipated to be a fast-paced game.
Morant is averaging 39.2 fantasy points per game, making him an affordable option relative to some bigger stars. Meanwhile, the Suns boast a 29th-ranked defense against opponents. Morant could very well find himself in the 45-50 fantasy points range by the time the night concludes along the Mississippi River.
### Stephon Castle (PG, SG – SAS)
Stephon Castle had a disappointing outing in the front-end of his back-to-back against the Spurs, shooting just 1-of-10 from the field for a mere two points, alongside two assists and two turnovers in 22 minutes of play.
He’s a more appealing option on FanDuel at a reduced price. In the six games preceding this, Castle had scored over 10 points, highlighted by a notable 33-point performance against the Hornets on February 7th. Although he has struggled with his shooting since the break, going 0-for-7 from three, expect him to turn it around significantly on Tuesday.
### Rui Hachimura (SF, PF – LAL)
Rui Hachimura is fresh off a standout game in Denver, scoring 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and hitting 4-of-9 from three-point territory. Although he tweaked his back slightly, he managed to finish the game. While the back issue is concerning, his recent performances have been stellar, making him a worthy option to gamble on.
Hachimura has scored at least 17 points in five of his last six games and grabbed six or more rebounds in four of those matchups. If he can reach 20 points, six boards, and add a few assists and a couple of three-pointers on Tuesday, he will exceed expectations for his cost.
### Jose Alvarado (PG – NOP)
If you’re considering a less expensive alternative without utilizing all of your budget on point guards, Jose Alvarado is a decent, if not spectacular choice. The versatile 26-year-old recently produced 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists along with two three-pointers against the Spurs.
### Kessler Edwards (PF, C – DAL)
As the Mavericks head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers, it won’t be a game of redemption for Anthony Davis, who remains out, joining Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II on the sidelines. This opens up significant playing time for Kessler Edwards in the frontcourt. At his price, he’s a solid pick.
The former Pepperdine player has recorded averages of 6.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, plus three steals and three 3-pointers over his last four games.
### Anthony Black (PG – ORL)
Should you wish to diversify away from the more costly point guards, Anthony Black offers a budget-friendly alternative. He has been receiving ample playing time while Jalen Suggs contends with a quadriceps injury.
In his last game against the Washington Wizards, Black led the team with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He also added seven rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal in 27 minutes. That’s on the higher end of what can be expected from him. If Black can achieve around 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists, along with a block and a steal, that wouldn’t be bad at all.
### Olivier-Maxence Prosper (PF – DAL)
While Olivier-Maxence Prosper faces a challenging opponent, he still represents a low-cost DFS option with potential upside. Due to the numerous injuries and absences impacting the Mavericks’ frontcourt, Prosper could find himself with increased opportunities in Tuesday’s matchup.
Recently, Prosper hasn’t been producing at a high level, posting averages of 6.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals over the past five games, but he is expected to play around 18-20 minutes. At his current price, he might surprise viewers with his performance.
