The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament action continues on Wednesday evening with two exciting elimination games. First, the Chicago Bulls will host the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET. Following that, the Sacramento Kings will welcome the Dallas Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET. Daily Fantasy basketball enthusiasts will find that all four teams feature rosters that have evolved significantly since the season`s tip-off, due to trades involving players like Anthony Davis, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins. While these changes contributed to these teams reaching the play-in tournament, they now face the challenge of needing two consecutive wins to secure a spot in the 2025 NBA playoffs. For those crafting their daily Fantasy basketball strategy, the key question is: who should you include in your Wednesday NBA DFS lineups?
To aid in this decision-making process, the NBA DFS Optimizer leverages data from the SportsLine Advanced-Data Projection Model. This powerful tool identifies the best DFS picks for daily Fantasy slates on platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel. By simulating each game 10,000 times, it empowers DFS players to optimize, export, and confidently set their lineups. It incorporates crucial information such as injury updates, player projections (both floor and ceiling), and Vegas lines and picks – all within a single, winning tool designed for sports betting apps. Notably, the SportsLine model has demonstrated impressive results, generating over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons.
Top NBA DFS Picks for Wednesday, April 16
Domantas Sabonis ($10,500 on DraftKings, $10,000 on FanDuel)
Domantas Sabonis, the Kings power forward, was a key offensive contributor for Sacramento, ranking third in scoring with 19.1 points per game. He also led the team in rebounds (13.9 per game) and assists (6.0 per game). Sabonis`s dominance on the boards is noteworthy, as he led the NBA in rebounding for the third season in a row and recorded at least 11 rebounds in 11 of his last 12 games, including 10 double-doubles and one triple-double during that stretch. Despite Sacramento`s acquisitions of players like LaVine and DeMar DeRozan since last season, Sabonis remains absolutely essential to their offensive game plan.
In two games against Dallas this season, Sabonis averaged an impressive 16.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, achieving at least 16 points and 15 rebounds in each game. His consistent high level of play is further highlighted by his averages of at least 18.5 points and 12 rebounds in each of his last six seasons, solidifying his status as one of the league`s most consistently productive, yet perhaps underrated, players. This reliable high-floor performance makes Sabonis a valuable asset for Wednesday NBA DFS lineups.
Kel`el Ware ($6,200 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel)
Kel`el Ware, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, demonstrated promising development during his rookie season, averaging 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds. His role and productivity increased notably as the season progressed. In seven April games, the Miami center averaged 11.6 points and 9.3 rebounds, securing three double-doubles in that span.
Against the Bulls on April 9, Ware posted 12 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes, shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the field. The 7-foot center is expected to play a crucial role in defending Bulls center Nikola Vucevic. Ware`s increased playing time in April, averaging 27.4 minutes per game compared to his season average of 22.2 minutes, coupled with his relatively modest price on FanDuel and DraftKings, makes him an appealing option for Wednesday NBA DFS picks.
Keon Ellis ($5,000 on DraftKings, $5,300 on FanDuel)
While Sacramento guard Keon Ellis may not always be the primary scorer in winning NBA DFS lineups, his substantial minutes on the court provide significant potential to exceed his price point and deliver strong value. Ellis averaged 30.7 minutes per game in April, following a similar trend in March where he averaged 28.2 minutes per game. His role has expanded, particularly since De`Aaron Fox was traded to the Spurs.
Despite averaging 8.3 points per game this season, Ellis is capable of producing impactful scoring performances, even alongside Sacramento`s star players. On April 9 against the Nuggets, he scored 20 points while sharing the court with Sacramento`s “big three.” Ellis has attempted at least seven shots in three of his last five games. Considering his lower salary relative to his increased playing time, the Optimizer identifies strong value in including Ellis in NBA DFS lineups.
Want more NBA picks for tonight?
You`ve seen a selection of the Optimizer`s top NBA DFS picks for Wednesday. For access to the Optimizer`s complete NBA DFS picks and projections for every player in the NBA DFS player pool, visit SportsLine.
Furthermore, SportsLine offers expert NBA DFS advice from seasoned professionals like Mike McClure, who boasts over $2 million in winnings. Visit SportsLine now to discover McClure`s optimal NBA DFS lineup advice for Wednesday.
You can also explore expert betting insights before making your Wednesday NBA picks or player props. Visit SportsLine to see expert Larry Hartstein`s picks. Hartstein has an impressive track record of 54-27 (+2009) over his last 81 NBA picks and even has a player prop pick for Wednesday that could be beneficial for your NBA DFS lineups.
Jasper Hawthorne