Following an eventful night of hoops and before the third night of the NBA Cup, there are eight games on tonight’s Monday NBA slate.
The Chicago Bulls will face the Detroit Pistons in the lone game in the 7:00 PM EST window. The Philadelphia 76ers will then play the Miami Heat, the Washington Wizards will face the New York Knicks, and the Houston Rockets will square off against the Milwaukee Bucks. In the late slate of games, the Orlando Magic will play the Phoenix Suns, the Atlanta Hawks will square off with the Sacramento Kings, and the Los Angeles Clippers will play the Golden State Warriors.
While there will be more notable days of NBA basketball moving forward, there are still several options for what to watch and even more opportunities to get involved in the action. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Basketball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for Nov. 18. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my six favorite plays for Monday night’s action.
Norman Powell More Than 19.5 Points
Norman Powell has stepped up for the Clippers in a major way to start the season. With Paul George having left in free agency and Kawhi Leonard remaining out injured, Los Angeles has needed someone to step into the offensive spotlight and Powell has done exactly this. Through the opening 14 games, Powell has averaged a career-high 23.4 points and attempted 16.6 shots per game. His previous career-high for field-goal attempts across a season is 13.4, and Powell has recorded more than 19.5 points in ten of the 14 games. He currently leads the Clippers in scoring.
The Clippers are set to face off with the Golden State Warriors and will be on the second night of a back-to-back. This also will be the second time this season these two teams faced off, with Powell scoring exactly 20 in the last game. There is sure to be plenty of noise made regarding Steph Curry and James Harden now being the top two in made three-pointers in NBA history. However, Harden has seen some statistical drop-off on the second night of back-to-backs and has had a great deal on his plate to start the season. Don’t be shocked if he operates in a more playmaking-oriented role.
Count on Norman Powell to see plenty of offensive volume and continue being a key part of the Clippers’ outlook. While his numbers will settle down some as the season progresses, Powell is a more talented player than he has been able to show. Expect him to continue letting it fly and record more than 19.5 points for the 11th time this season.
Tyus Jones More Than 16.5 Points & Assists
The Phoenix Suns are already facing some notable injury issues as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are each missing time with calf injuries. While Devin Booker has been the biggest beneficiary of the on-court opportunity, Tyus Jones has also played a more significant role in the offense.
On the season overall, Jones has averaged 10.6 points and 6.6 assists per game. He has recorded more than 16.5 combined points and assists in eight of the 14 games this season. The Suns will be playing in the second night of a back-to-back after losing on a heart-breaking buzzer-beater to the Timberwolves last night. Jones finished with 13 points and 11 assists in this game.
Expect the 28-year-old to continue operating in a more elevated offensive role while the Suns’ two stars remain sidelined. Jones is shooting a career-high in three-point attempts this season and connecting at a 37.1% rate. The Duke product is seeing the most expanded opportunity of his career and is making the most of it. Count on this to continue and for Jones to record more than 16.5 points and assists again tonight.
RJ Barrett Less Than 6.5 Assists
RJ Barrett is still settling into his full role with the Toronto Raptors but has looked sharp to start the season. In the 11 games he has played, Barrett has averaged 21.7 points, 6.6 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. The former Knicks forward is recording a career-high in field goal attempts, three-point attempts, and assists.
While some of this is sustainable, I don’t buy the playmaking leap. Throughout his career, Barrett has averaged 3.0 assists per game. His highest playmaking output occurred in the 32 games he played with the Raptors last year where he averaged 4.2 assists per game. Previously he had never tallied more than 3.3 assists per game in a season.
While Barrett is seeing more on-ball opportunities and is delivering for the team, expect this average to decrease as the season continues. He still has tallied less than 6.5 assists in six of the 11 games he has played in. As the Raptors face the Pacers today, expect this to begin to show face. Barrett will remain impactful and see an expanded role, but count on him shifting into a more scoring-oriented style of play.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope More Than 1.5 Made Three-Pointers
The Orlando Magic signified their desire to flip from rebuild into a contender with the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer. The two-time NBA Champion has not been off to a strong start to the season. Across his 29.6 minutes per game, Caldwell-Pope has averaged 7.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Most concerningly, the 31-year-old is shooting just 33.7% from the field and 23.4% from beyond the three-point arc. Throughout his career, Caldwell-Pope has shot 36.6% from beyond the arc and has shot 38.5% or better from deep in each of the past five seasons.
He is starting to settle in on the season with his numbers beginning to shift in the right direction. Even amid the struggles, Caldwell-Pope has made more than 1.5 three-pointers in six of the 14 games. His track record as a shooter indicates he is due for some positive regression and Caldwell-Pope is coming off back-to-back games with two made three-pointers. Expect this to continue tonight as the Magic face the Suns.
Caleb Martin More Than 17.5 Points, Assists, & Rebounds
Caleb Martin will be making his return to Miami to face his former team for the first time since leaving in free agency. There was some bad blood on the way out and Miami has opted not to provide Martin with any sort of tribute video for this game. The 29-year-old also has not gotten off to his Sixers tenure that he desired. In addition to the team being 2-10, Martin has averaged 10.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. While these are each slightly career-highs, Martin has shot a career-worst 32.4% from beyond the arc.
The Sixers continue to battle injuries and will be without Tyrese Maxey and likely Joel Embiid, who is currently listed as doubtful with an illness, for this game. Martin will continue to see an expanded role in the offense until (or if) the team gets healthy. So far this season, Martin has recorded more than 17.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in eight of the 12 games.
With some added motivation and continued expanded opportunity, look for Martin to produce a strong statistical output. He also is shooting the ball better of late, and has connected on seven of his 14 three-point attempts across the past five games. Expect Martin to be active in this matchup and record more than 17.5 combined points, assists, and rebounds.
Nikola Vucevic More Than 28.5 Points & Rebounds
While his best days are behind him, there has not been enough attention given to the strong start to the season for Nikola Vucevic. Across the first 14 games, he has averaged 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He has recorded more than 28.5 combined points and rebounds in 11 of the 14 games thus far.
While he may say some level of statistical regression as the season progresses, Vucevic will continue to see his typical level of opportunity and is playing well. This also is not far off from the 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds he has averaged throughout his career or the 18.0 points and 10.5 rebounds produced just last season.
The Bulls are set to face off with the Detroit Pistons in tonight’s game. Detroit has several talented young big men, most notably Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who will provide a challenge. However, there is a level of offensive polish that Vucevic possesses that I expect to give Detroit issues and he has been one of the most consistent sources of offense on the Bulls this year. Expect them to continue relying on the veteran and for Vucevic to record more than 28.5 combined points for the 12th time this year.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether 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 cannot pick the same player twice and you must select 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 seanbarnard) 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.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
