The NBA Cup semifinals are here, which means just two games tip off on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Don’t let the small slate fool you; stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all taking the floor. With so many big names on the court, there’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings Sportsbook, including DraftKings NBA Pick6 selections ahead of tonight’s exciting matchups.
Gary Trent Jr. more than 8.5 points
The Bucks have turned their season around, stringing together 11 wins over their last 14 games. While Milwaukee’s stars have gotten most of the praise, don’t forget about the role players. That includes Gary Trent Jr., an offseason signing that’s provided a scoring punch off the bench. Over his last ten games, the former Raptors guard has put up 11.3 points on 49.4% shooting from the field.
Trent Jr. has been especially deadly from deep this year, nailing 40.2% of his three-point shots on 5.1 attempts. That strength lines up well for tonight’s matchup. The Hawks have allowed opponents to connect on 38.2% of their shots from beyond the arc, the worst percentage in the NBA. With Giannis Antetokounmpo drawing Atlanta’s defenders inside the paint, Milwaukee’s veteran sharpshooter should have plenty of wide-open looks from deep.
Zaccharie Risacher more than 9.5 points
It hasn’t been a conventional start to Zaccharie Risacher’s NBA career. Last summer’s number one overall pick has needed some time to adjust to life in the States, averaging 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 39.9% shooting from the field (27.6% 3PT). Although there have been flashes of greatness, head coach Quin Snyder has kept the 19-year-old’s workload comfortably in the 20-minute range for most of the season.
Recently, it looks like the Frenchman is beginning to turn a corner. Over Risacher’s last eight games, he’s scored ten points or more seven times. Atlanta’s depth chart is littered with talented wings, so it’s difficult to predict who will contribute on a night-to-night basis. However, considering the rookie’s recent hot streak and tonight’s over/under of 231.5 points, he’s a good pick to reach double-digits.
Damian Lillard more than 3.5 turnovers
Normally, turnovers are a tricky stat to predict, as they depend on a multitude of factors such as usage, defense, and pace of play. In tonight’s high-stakes showdown, I’m willing to make an exception. Despite his stellar stat line, Damian Lillard hasn’t been the most secure with the basketball. This season, the 34-year-old is coughing the ball up 3.0 times per night, the 19th-worst mark in the association. That’s not a backbreaking number, but certain teams like the Hawks are equipped to take advantage.
Atlanta’s defense is flawed, but they have forced opponents into 16.6 turnovers per game, fourth-best in the NBA. Much of the credit needs to go to Dyson Daniels, acquired this offseason in the Dejounte Murray trade with New Orleans. The Great Barrier Thief has snatched a league-leading 3.0 steals per game, making full use of his 6’8″ frame to harass both guards and forwards. It helps that Atlanta plays at the league’s third-fastest pace, leading to plenty of possessions for the other team. This isn’t necessarily a fade of Lillard, but it is a way to back the man tasked with slowing him down.
Alperen Sengun more than 10.5 rebounds
The Rockets are one of the season’s early surprises, taking a leap from scrappy team to playoff contender under head coach Ime Udoka. On a deep roster, center Alperen Sengun manages to stand out. The 23-year-old has posted 18.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists through 25 games. The center is a true jack-of-all-trades, chipping in on a number of statistical categories.
Look hard enough, and you’ll find a flaw with any team in the NBA. That’s true even for the Western Conference-leading Thunder, who have given up the most rebounds to opponents this season (57.3 RPG). Much of that has to do with extended absences for big men Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Still, even with the latter’s return on November 20th, Oklahoma City has allowed more than 50 boards per game. As the biggest person on the floor, look for Sengun to dominate the glass en route to another double-double.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander more than 10.5 assists + rebounds
Point totals can often get inflated for the best player on a team. That’s especially true for an MVP candidate like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, currently leading the Thunder to a 19-5 record. Still, the guard is too good not to back in a primetime clash with the Rockets. This season, SGA is averaging 30.2 points, 5,4 rebounds and 6.3 assists on an efficient 51.5% field goal percentage.
Rather than his scoring, the two-time All-Star’s best chance to deliver value tonight is everywhere else. Without big man Chet Holmgren to snatch up boards, there’s little competition on the glass for Oklahoma City. As a result, Gilgeous-Alexander has gone over 10 assists + rebounds in seven of his last ten games. In a matchup that could get physical, expect OKC’s face of the franchise to put up another all-around performance.
Jalen Green less than 17.5 points
Jalen Green is one of the biggest wild cards in the NBA. An immensely talented scorer with suspect shot selection, the third-year pro’s stats are somewhat misleading. On paper, the numbers look good: a team-leading 19.2 points to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. However, a 39.7% field goal percentage, 32.7% from three-point range, suggest that the former lottery pick’s efficiency could use some improvement.
As mentioned previously, tonight’s matchup could be a slugfest. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the over/under is at 216.5 points. Green has gone under this scoring total in seven of his previous eight games against the Thunder. Oklahoma City is giving up 103.8 points to opponents this season, second only to Orlando. In a game that should see plenty of intensity on defense, Green isn’t someone I’d feel comfortable banking on.
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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