Looking for winning FanDuel NBA DFS picks for Wednesday's massive 12-game slate? I'm covering the best plays across all salary ranges, from elite options like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Cade Cunningham to high-value sleepers like Drew Eubanks and Sam Merrill.
I break down critical injury updates affecting lineup decisions, identify the top projected game totals, and highlight cash game versus GPP strategies for the 2025-26 season opener. Whether you're building tournament lineups or playing it safe with head-to-heads, our comprehensive guide provides actionable DFS advice to maximize your fantasy basketball profits tonight.
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SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes. Note the starting times for these games, as this list is ranked according to the projected totals.
As we look at projected totals, I have the most interest in Memphis and Toronto, and although I may not have given Atlanta as much exposure as I should have, they're also a viable source for production. Miami, Utah and Dallas are teams that failed to pull me in, and obvious squads like Charlotte and New Orleans were also scant in my selections.
We will experience a good bit of variance in the opening weeks, and I usually like to begin with a cash game approach in the first week. I think head-to-heads are especially valuable at this stage, as there will be many differences of opinion in the public during the early stages. Sure, it's hard to resist taking a tab at a GPP with a huge prize pool, but you'll need a lineup that can deliver 7-8k value across the board. At this early point in the season, that's a tall order. To help lessen the variance close to game lock, I highly recommend our Advanced Lineups tool to stay informed about last-minute changes.
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Wednesday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate. We'll order these injuries from the earliest game to the latest. I will try to avoid the long-term injuries unless I feel a compelling need to mention a critical lineup change.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
CLE Max Strus (foot) - OUT
CLE De'Andre Hunter (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
What immediately stands out is the possible insertion of Sam Merrill ($3,700) into the starting lineup for Garland. He could give us close to 6x value if he gets enough minutes. Hunter is a game-time call, but we'd be looking at Dean Wade ($3,700) if Hunter is out. I like Merrill as the better value play.
MIN Anthony Edwards (back) - QUESTIONABLE
I would be surprised if Edwards sits against a Portland squad that could give the T-Wolves some trouble, but we should pivot to Donte DiVincenzo ($4,500) if he can't go.
NYK Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) - QUESTIONABLE
NYK Josh Hart (back) - OUT
NYK Mitchell Robinson (rest) - OUT
It's looking less and less likely that Towns will make his season debut, so I'm looking at Guerschon Yabusele ($4,700) as the big man to target if KAT can't make it.
MIA Tyler Herro (foot/ankle) - OUT
We won't see Herro for a couple of months, and I think it puts Davion Mitchell ($4,700) and Norman Powell ($6,200) in plum production spots for October. While the total for this game isn't thrilling, both could be worthwhile at these salary points.
ORL Jalen Suggs (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
Suggs is 50/50 to play. While I'm not enthused about a pivot here, Tyus Jones ($4,300) will be the next man up if Suggs is out.
BOS Jaylen Brown (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
Things are bad right off the bat for Boston if Brown can't take the floor. I won't take any guesses on who will fill his spot, but Sam Hauser ($4,300) is an interesting buy who could scratch 6x value.
SAC Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) - OUT
Drew Eubanks ($3,900) is a value hammer for me tonight. Although he has competition as the fill-in, he will get first crack and see 30 minutes if he starts out hot.
SAS De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) - DOUBTFUL
Fortunately for the Spurs, they have quality backcourt players in Stephon Castle ($6,700) and Dylan Harper($5,000). Both are in play while Fox sits.
ELITE PLAYERS
We will usually begin our selections with elite options. With a slate this size, we will hone in on players with salaries of $8k and above. Players in this range will almost always post serviceable numbers, but we'll strive to identify those who will exceed their daily projections.
We have five players above the $10k threshold for Wednesday, and it makes sense to begin with Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,900), who sets up well against a Wizards defense that was atrocious last season. The potential MVP will try to make an early statement, and I would not be surprised to see 60 FDFP from him. My next favorite in this range is Cade Cunningham ($10,100), who finds himself in a high-volume spot against Chicago.
In the $9k range, Zion Williamson ($9,300) is probably the most intriguing target. He enters the season healthy and is in a game with a favorable total. Equally interesting is Devin Booker ($9,100), who comes in as a discount in the home matchup against the Kings.
We have 13 players in the $8k bracket, and I'm very interested in Ja Morant ($8,300) against the Pelicans. Although he didn't play in the preseason, he's at 100 percent and in an exploitable spot against New Orleans. I'll also gladly take James Harden's ($8,300) dual eligibility and sprinkle him in against Utah.
Also consider: Donovan Mitchell, CLE ($8,600) @ NYK
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE PLAYS
Evan Mobley, CLE ($7,900) @ NYK
I will give Mobley extra attention if Towns doesn't suit up, and although he'll be the better producer, Jarrett Allen ($6,900) is also fine to consider if the Knicks are short-handed.
Derrick White, BOS ($7,600) vs. PHI
If Brown is out, you need to get White involved in your lineups. Several Celtics will need to get more involved this season due to Jayson Tatum's absence, and pressure will be on White to perform if Brown misses. His salary is a little high independent of that scenario, but viable nonetheless. For $1,600 less, Anfernee Simons ($6,000) is also worth a shot.
RJ Barrett, TOR ($7,200) @ ATL
I'm very high on the Raptors this season, and I think most of the starters are in play here. Scottie Barnes ($8,500) is set a little high, but Brandon Ingram ($7,400) is right where he should be. Despite those awesome options, I think Barrett has the most upside, and we've seen his ability to crush 5x value on a regular basis.
Desmond Bane, ORL ($7,100) vs. MIA
I'm excited about Bane's prospects with a new team, and he should be raring to go in this intrastate matchup. I expect him to fit in well with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero on a squad that is trending up heading into the regular season.
Cam Thomas, BKN ($7,000) @ CHA
Thomas is primed to be the focal point of this offense this season, and he's set up extremely well against the Hornets, who will likely have a poor defense once again. Thomas had an encouraging preseason and is definitely worth considering at a favorable price point.
Julius Randle, MIN ($6,800) @ POR
This is an excellent salary for Randle, who should find plenty of opportunities against Portland. I like him a little better than Rudy Gobert ($6,100) in this scenario, but Donovan Clingan is no slouch and could cause some problem inside. Otherwise, Randle will have a size advantage over whoever Portland decides to line him up with, and the salary is extremely hard to pass up.
Also consider: Jordan Poole, NOP ($6,200) @ MEM, John Collins, LAC ($6,300) @ UTA(revenge spot)
VALUE PLAYS
While some of our best values reside in the injury report, we still have some very viable alternatives below $6k to sort through.
Ausar Thompson, DET ($5,400)@ CHI
Thompson is just scraping the surface of his potential, and I predict this will be a breakout year with the Pistons. He is an easy fit for lineups with dual forward eligibility, and he should be able to make some headway against the Bulls, who have had some struggles against the wing position in the past.
Quentin Grimes, PHI ($4,500) @ BOS
We're hoping for massive upside in this spot. The salary almost looks like a trap, especially when you consider that Tyrese Maxey is fully healthy. Still, Grimes has all the off-ball backcourt skills you want in this position, and he is rangy enough to mix it up inside a bit as well.
Jaylen Wells, MEM ($4,300) vs. NOP
Wells is another potential breakout player who sparks my interest, and his SG/SF eligibility makes him a very convenient fit in this range. Like Morant, I think Memphis' backcourt is in a good position to exploit New Orleans. We also have to like the projected total.
