It is a quiet night in the NBA with just four games set to tip off. This comes just after a jam-packed 10-game slate of games last night and ahead of the 11 games taking place tomorrow during the NBA Cup.
Even still, madness can occur on any given night and there are matchups worth noting tonight. The Boston Celtics will look to rebound from their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night and are facing the Miami Heat with both sides dealing with injury issues. Also tipping off at 7:30 p.m. EST, the Atlanta Hawks are facing the New Orleans Pelicans as Dejounte Murray plays against his former team for the first time.
Tipping off at 8:00 p.m. EST, the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Minnesota Timberwolves while the Chicago Bulls face the Brooklyn Nets. Both the Lakers and Nets are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
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 December 2nd. 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.
LeBron James Less Than 22.5 Points
While LeBron James is putting up a better fight with Father Time than most can dream of, the 39-year-old has shown his age more this year than ever before. While his average of 22.6 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.1 rebounds are still very impressive, the 20-time All-Star has been more up-and-down than is traditionally the case.
Last night against the Jazz, James exploded for 27 points and 14 assists. However, this has been an outlier based on recent performances. The four-time MVP was held to 18 or fewer points in the four games prior and has struggled shooting the basketball. Even in the 27-point performance, James shot just 12-28 from the field and 0-9 from beyond the three-point arc. This was his third-consecutive game without making a three-pointer.
Expect these struggles to continue as the Lakers face a more difficult defense in the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the team has not reached the defensive peak they showed last season, the Timberwolves still rank seventh in opponent points per game and ninth in defensive efficiency. The Lakers have played at the second-slowest pace over the past five games and also rank 26th in offensive rebounds on the season, so don’t expect an abundance of additional offensive possessions. It is these types of back-to-backs against tough defenses where James’ age can be put on full display. This also is his second matchup against the Timberwolves this year, with the four-time champion being held to 16 points in the first game. Expect this trend to continue and for James to be held to less than 22.5 points for the 13th time in 21 games.
Cam Johnson Less Than 3.5 Made Three-Pointers
The Brooklyn Nets are set to face off with the Chicago Bulls tonight and have been one of the better stories around the NBA. While their record sits are just 9-12, they are far from the bottom feeders they were expected to be this season and have played some impressive basketball for stretches this year. One of the biggest reasons for this has been the strong play of Cam Johnson. The 28-year-old is having a career year and averaging 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Looking at his production beyond the arc, Johnson has shot 42.2% on three-point attempts while launching 7.3 three-point attempts per game. This comes out to an average of 3.1 made three-pointers per game. However, Johnson has struggled more of late. The University of North Carolina product has not made more than three three-pointers in a game in any of the past five games and has been held below four made three-pointers in eight of the last 11 games.
Looking at this matchup, the Bulls have defended the three-pointer well this year. Opponents are shooting just 35.0% from beyond the arc this year and are holding opposing small forwards to 23.9% on three-point attempts, which is the lowest percentage in the league. Brooklyn also is playing at the worst pace in the NBA this season and pulling in the fewest offensive rebounds, so don’t expect additional opportunities. With a strong defense and Johnson coming back to earth a bit as a shooter, look for him to record less than 3.5 made three-pointers for the 16th time out of the 21 games he has played this year.
Dennis Schroder More Than 21.5 Points
Another member of the Nets who has stepped up in a major way this year is Dennis Schroder. The German guard has averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. His offensive role should be expected to expand as Cam Thomas is sidelined with a hamstring injury. This leaves 17 additional shots per game available for the taking and Schroder will show no hesitancy to step into these shoes.
Looking at the past three games, Schroder has produced scoring outputs of 20, 29, and 31 points. He also has attempted 18 or more shots in all three games, well above his season average of 14.2 field goal attempts. While Chicago has defended the three-point line well, they are still allowing an NBA-worst 124.2 points per game.
Expect Schroder to step even further into the driver’s seat of the offense without Cam Thomas and make the most of his opportunity. He has recorded more than 21.5 points in six games already this season. Look for him to add to this total against a struggling defense, especially with just about as many shot attempts as he desires.
Jalen Johnson More Than 34.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
The Atlanta Hawks are set to face off with the injury-riddled Pelicans tonight. Jalen Johnson has been the biggest storyline surrounding Atlanta and looks to be putting all the pieces together to be a legitimate All-Star caliber wing. So far this season, Johnson has averaged 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
While injuries have been the biggest storyline, the Pelicans have struggled by just about every metric this year. They hold a 4-17 record, are dead last in scoring, and rank 23rd in points allowed. With Zion Williamson, Jose Alvardo, and Jordan Hawkins already ruled out, Herb Jones listed as doubtful, and Brandon Ingram listed as questionable… don’t expect much to change.
Look for Jalen Johnson to assert himself with his combination of size and athleticism. He has recorded more than 34.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in 11 of the 20 games he has played this season. The Pelicans’ defense does not have the personnel to match his skillset, so expect him to be active all across the stat sheet tonight.
Dejounte Murray More Than 32.5 Points, Assists, & Rebounds
It has been a disastrous season for the New Orleans Pelicans thus far. This started right on opening night when Dejointe Murray suffered a broken hand. It was hoped the prized offseason addition was the missing piece to elevate New Orleans to a true contender, but the team has not had a true chance to see what the roster looks like when fully put together. Murray made his return to the floor for the past three games and has started to kick off the rust.
This also will mark Murray’s return to Atlanta where he spent the past two seasons. While it seemed mostly basketball-fit related, Murray did not see eye-to-eye with Trae Young during his time there and one would think this is a matchup that he has circled on his calendar.
Across the four games he has played for the Pelicans so far, Murray has averaged 14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. However, he recorded more than 32.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in one of these four games and has yet to play his best basketball. New Orleans will continue to be shorthanded and Murray can have just about as much of an offensive share as he sees fit. Expect him to be in attack mode against his former team and record more than 32.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists as he finally starts to settle into this Pelicans team.
Julius Randle Less Than 1.5 Made Three-Pointers
Julius Randle also cracks the list of notable offseason additions who have not quite found their footing. While Randle’s stats have been solid and he has not dealt with injury concerns, the Timberwolves have underwhelmed relative to expectations with Randle being pointed at as a major reason why. Overall, he has averaged 21.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across his 34.3 minutes per game.
Looking at his three-point production, Randle is shooting 33.7% while launching 4.7 long-range shots per game. The Kentucky product has made more than 1.5 three-pointers in just six of the 19 games thus far. Looking more recently, Randle has been held to less than 1.5 made three-pointers in five consecutive games leading into this matchup.
Expect these struggles to continue tonight as the Timberwolves take on the Lakers. Los Angeles matches up fairly well with Minnesota with Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert set to square off on the interior leaving the rest of their defense to rotate around the perimeter. Randle has not shown enough consistent ability to connect from deep to believe in this trend to break, so look for him to record less than 1.5 made three-pointers for the 14th time in 20 games.
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.
