Even though there’s only four games being played on Thursday, there’s still plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings Sportsbook. Stars such as Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant are all taking the floor tonight, but there are plenty of lesser-known names that could net you a serious profit as well. Make sure to play these DraftKings NBA Pick6 selections ahead of Tuesday’s matchups.
Ja Morant less than 21.5 points
If you thought Ja Morant’s injury-plagued 2023-24 season was a thing of the past, think again! Although Memphis’ face of the franchise is back in action, the team is wisely playing it safe. The All-Star is averaging 26.5 minutes, so it’s no coincidence that he’s scoring just 19.0 points through five games.
After playing the Nets on Wednesday, I doubt Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins will push his star player on the second leg of a back-to-back. Morant is talented enough to surpass this total in limited minutes, but it’s far likelier he falls short once again, even against a Bucks team with perimeter defense issues.
James Harden more than 39.5 points + assists + rebounds
It’s been a throwback start to the season for James Harden. With Kawhi Leonard sidelined for an unknown amount of time, the former MVP has taken full control of the Clippers offense. While Los Angeles is a far cry from those late-2010’s Rockets teams, it is somewhat nostalgic to see an entire NBA team run through Harden in 2024. On the season, he’s averaged 23.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.
Harden has failed to clear 40 P+A+R just once in four games this year. That includes an October 23rd meeting between these two teams, when The Beard put together a 29-point, 12-rebound, eight-assist performance. Given Harden’s gigantic volume and past success vs. Phoenix, I like his odds of stuffing the stat sheet tonight.
Brook Lopez more than 1.5 three-pointers made
Even at the age of 36, Brook Lopez is still one of the best shooting big men in the association. Since joining the Bucks in 2018, he’s hit 35.3% of his three-point shots on five attempts per game. However, he’s an atrocious 23.8% from beyond the arc and 36.4% from the field this year. That’s a reasonable cause for concern, but there’s some upside to the veteran that might not be apparent on a first glance.
As his athleticism has declined, Lopez has opted to shoot it at a higher rate. This season is no different, as the seven-footer is shooting 5.3 three-point attempts per game, the most he’s taken in six years. With the Grizzlies missing some of their best perimeter defenders tonight in Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, the looks should be there for Lopez.
Norman Powell more than 19.5 points
If Harden is driving the Clippers, then Norman Powell is riding shotgun. After being placed in the starting lineup to begin the season, the ten-year pro has thrived. So far, he’s scoring 26.0 points per game on 51.4% shooting from the field, giving Los Angeles a much-needed second option on offense. How long Powell can keep this up is uncertain, but it’s clear that the role will be there for as long as Leonard is out of commission.
With that being said, why is tonight’s line below 20 points? The Clippers will need to keep the pace going against a dynamic Suns offense, and Powell’s shooting volume (18.5 field goal attempts per game) is too immense to ignore. The veteran wing has hit this mark in three straight games, and I think he keeps it going on Thursday.
Julian Champagnie less than 15.5 points + assists + rebounds
Spurs head coach Greg Popovich has had to think outside the box with guard Devin Vassell still recovering from a foot injury. That’s led to a minutes increase for several role players, including Julian Champagnie. The St. John’s alum has been a pleasant surprise so far, averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds over four starts with San Antonio.
However, it’s tough to trust the young forward tonight. He’s had a combined 17 P+A+R in his last two games, and the Spurs are playing in their second contest in as many nights. If Wednesday’s game against the Thunder is any indication, Champagnie could see less playing time in the future, as he was on the floor for just 20 minutes. Overall, there’s just too many factors working against the third-year man to back him on tonight’s slate.
Derrick Jones Jr. more than 9.5 points
Sure, why not one more Clipper? Derrick Jones Jr., Los Angeles’ biggest free agent signing, has had a solid start with his new team. Through four games, the former Maverick is putting up 12.0 points and 4.3 rebounds on 57.1% shooting. Should those numbers last though the end of the year, they’d be a career-high in both categories.
While DJJ has failed to reach double-digits in half of his outings this year, he did score 9 in both games. Throughout his career, the forward has averaged 11.4 points per game when playing more than 30 minutes. So far this year, Jones Jr. is playing in 31.0 minutes per night. If he stays on the floor for a similar amount of time on Thursday, the 27-year-old is in line for another solid scoring day.
Play DraftKings NBA Pick6 before tonight’s four-game slate tips off at 8:00 PM EST!
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) 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 skill 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.
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