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DraftKings NBA DFS Cheat Sheet: Picks, Matchup Analysis and Injury News for February 25

DraftKings NBA DFS Cheat Sheet: Picks, Matchup Analysis and Injury News for February 25

Published:

By: Garion Thorne

Tuesday night features a seven-game slate in the NBA, highlighted by Luka Doncic facing his old team in Los Angeles at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Cramming before setting a few lineups? You’re in luck. Let’s break down everything you’ll need to know.

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Key Injury News

QUESTIONABLE: Darius Garland, Fred VanVleet, PJ Washington, Jakob Poeltl, Al Horford, Dillon Brooks

Click here for the slate’s full injury report


Matchup Analysis

Best Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)

  1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. DAL (106.5)
  2. Orlando Magic vs. CLE (107.3)
  3. Boston Celtics at TOR (108.3)

Worst Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)

  1. Phoenix Suns at MEM (121.0)
  2. New Orleans Pelicans vs. SAS (120.0)
  3. Dallas Mavericks at LAL (118.7)

Fastest Pace (Last 10 Games)

  1. Memphis Grizzlies vs. PHX (102.6)
  2. New Orleans Pelicans vs. SAS (102.5)
  3. San Antoinio Spurs at NOP (102.0)

Slowest Pace (Last 10 Games)

  1. Boston Celtics at TOR (97.7)
  2. Charlotte Hornets at GSW (97.7)
  3. Houston Rockets vs. MIL (97.9)

Highest Game Total

  1. Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies (245)
  2. San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans (240.5)
  3. Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers (231.5)

Top DFS Pick

PG Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks, $10,500

Let’s start with the obvious. While some of Doncic’ viability on Tuesday is narrative, it’s also crucial to note that the All-Star has never been cheaper in 2024-25. This price tag would’ve made sense prior to the break, when Doncic was working on his conditioning and struggling to gel with his new teammates, but now it just seems like a buying window. After logging 33.2 minutes against the Hornets last Wednesday, Doncic had by far his most successful performance with the Lakers in Saturday’s victory versus the Nuggets, registering 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and 68.0 FPTS. Most promising? Doncic’s 39.2% usage rate — hopefully a sign of things to come. He’s undoubtedly going to be popular, but this feels like a night where you’ll have to simply bite the bullet and roster Doncic.


Top Value Pick

PF/C Kelly Olynyk, New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs, $4,500

Olynyk has started both of the games he’s played with the Pelicans, including Sunday’s lopsided victory over this same Spurs squad. I think it’s safe to assume he’ll be starting again on Tuesday. I mean, I wouldn’t be quick to demote a man who collected 14 points and 15 rebounds in just 25.1 minutes of work. However, I also wouldn’t be expecting a repeat performance from Olynyk — at least when it comes to rebounding — as that was the only time Olynyk’s grabbed double-digit boards in 2024-25. Still, the veteran big man is a good shooter and an adept passer for his position. Plus, San Antonio has hemorrhaged FPTS to opposing centers so far this season. At this modest price point, Olynyk is definitely a viable way to save some salary this evening, in what should be a very uptempo environment.

Garion is a Toronto-based writer who has been playing fantasy sports since elementary school. With a particular affinity for advanced statistics and sabermetrics, he’s been covering DFS Baseball, Football and Basketball for DraftKings dating back to 2018. Prior to that, Garion’s work could be found at FNTSY, SportsGrid, HoopsHype, The New York Daily News and Sportsnet.ca. Still, he is a Dolphins fan, so his decision-making can be questioned from time-to-time.
Disclaimer

All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.