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Three must-start fantasy basketball players for Monday 3/17/25 NBA slate

Three must-start fantasy basketball players for Monday 3/17/25 NBA slate

Published:

By: Alex Hunter

Monday presents a huge 10-game slate. Below, I dive into three of my favorite DFS options to consider for tonight’s NBA action.


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PG, Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs, $12,000

With LeBron James (ankle) still sidelined, Doncic is the No.1 play on the slate and worth this large price tag. With James inactive for the last three, Doncic has led the Lakers with 66 FPTS per game, while nearly notching a triple-double in every contest. In the 215 minutes Doncic has played in a Laker uniform with James off the court, Doncic is generating an incredible 1.9 FPTS per minute, which is attributed to his usage increasing 6.8 percentage points to 42.5% and his assist percentage rising 7.9 percentage points to 45.6%.

These are remarkable rates for Doncic and the superstar should lead this slate in FPTS scored in this prime spot vs. the Spurs, who rank dead last in defensive rating since the All-Star break.


SG/SF, Coby White, Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz, $7,800

White has been flourishing for the Bulls with over 40 FPTS in five of his last eight starts and his success should continue against the lowly Jazz. Utah ranks dead last in defensive efficiency this season and they are playing their second game in two nights. As a result, Chicago boasts the highest implied team total on the slate at 123.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook, which is clear evidence that this is a perfect matchup.

In addition to this being a gorgeous matchup vs. the Jazz, the Bulls will remain without Josh Giddey (doubtful, ankle), Lonzo Ball (out, wrist) and Ayo Dosunmu (out, shoulder), leaving White as the team’s top option. In the four starts White has made without Giddey, Ball and Dosunumu this season, White is producing 43.1 FPTS per game with a 27.9% usage rate. The guard is underpriced for his upside tonight and is without a doubt one of the best targets for this 10-game slate.


C, Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Pelicans, $6,800

Duren is in great form, amassing 38 FPTS per game in his last seven starts, including six double-doubles. Since the All-Star break, Duren is shooting 70% from the field and he is handling a 17.3% usage rate, which is an upgrade from the 15.6% usage rate he saw before the All-Star break. For tonight, Durent gets the ultimate matchup for a center against the Pelicans. This season, New Orleans ranks second-to-last in defensive efficiency, second in most points in the paint allowed and third in most rebounds allowed.

The Pistons carry a huge 119.5-point implied team total on DraftKings Sportsbook and Duren should surpass five-times value with ease at this sub $7K salary. When playing behind an implied team total of 118 points or greater this season, Duren is supplying 37.5 FPTS per game (12 games).


Alex Hunter is an avid DFS player and sports handicapper, who has been a proud member of the DraftKings Network team since 2020. He is a data-driven analyst, who earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Worcester State University and has been in the sports content business for nearly a decade, covering the NBA, NFL and PGA TOUR. Alex is a diehard Boston Celtics fan, who loves to be on the golf course when he isn’t grinding lineups or producing content. For all of Alex’s work or if you need any lineup advice, be sure to follow him @Hunta512 on X.
Disclaimer

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.