The NBA will pause again tomorrow as the NBA Cup Championship takes center stage as the lone matchup on Tuesday. Before the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder compete to be crowned the second champion of the NBA’s in-season tournament, there will be a typical six-game slate of NBA games taking place tonight.
The Philadelphia 76ers will continue to battle their injury issues and face the Charlotte Hornets. Also tipping off at 7:00 PM EST, the Detroit Pistons will host the Miami Heat. At 7:30 PM EST, the Chicago Bulls will face the Toronto Raptors while the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to play the Brooklyn Nets. In the late window, the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings will play before the Los Angeles Clippers host the Utah Jazz at 10:30 PM EST.
While there will be busier days of NBA basketball moving forward, there are still several 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 16th. 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.
Kelly Oubre Jr More Than 14.5 Points
The injury issues continue to be the main storyline surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture on Friday and will miss at least the next week. In addition, Jared McCain’s rookie season will be derailed due to a meniscus tear and Caleb Martin remains out due to a shoulder issue. The Sixers need to find scoring production somewhere and, while Tyrese Maxey and Paul George will still lead the charge, expect Kelly Oubre Jr to take on some additional offensive responsibility.
Oubre Jr has taken on a more defensive-oriented role since joining the Sixers. The starting shooting guard averaged 20.3 points per game in the 2022-23 season with the Hornets and saw his output drop to 15.4 points per game last year with the Sixers. This has further decreased this season and he is averaging just 12.8 points per game this year. His 11.1 field goal attempts mark the fewest shots per game he has attempted since the 2017-18 season.
The Sixers need more consistent offensive options and Oubre Jr is capable of scaling up into this role. He recorded more than 14.5 points in 37 of the 68 games last year with the Sixers and in 40 of the 48 games he played the season before with the Hornets. Oubre Jr has tallied as many as 28 points already this season and there will be more offensive opportunities tonight. Count on Oubre Jr to maximize the additional available shot attempts and for the 29-year-old to record more than 14.5 points tonight.
Tim Hardaway Jr Less Than 1.5 Made Three-Pointers
The Detroit Pistons have begun to take the next stride forward as a franchise and are in the mix in the disappointing Eastern Conference with their 10-16 record. Their youthful core has shown some intriguing flashes and the organization did a nice job adding some key veterans to surround them with. Tim Hardaway Jr has been a part of this puzzle and joined the Pistons in a trade this summer.
So far this year Hardaway Jr has averaged 9.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across his 27.3 minutes per game. He is attempting 5.1 three-point attempts and connecting at a 34.2% rate. After a strong start to the season, Hardaway Jr has cooled off from behind the arc. Across the past 15 games, he is attempting 4.6 three-pointers per game and shooting just 17.6% on these opportunities.
Hardaway Jr has been held to less than 1.5 made three-pointers in nine of his past 12 games. The Heat rank sixth in opponents’ points per game this season and are 15th in opponents’ three-point percentage. Hardaway Jr has slipped in the offensive pecking order and after attempting seven or more long-range shots in six of the first 13 games, he has not eclipsed six three-point attempts since November 18th. He also shot 0-8 on three-pointers in that matchup. Expect the Heat to keep Hardaway Jr in check and for Detroit to lean on other offensive options. Count on the 32-year-old to be held to less than 1.5 made three-pointers tonight just as he has in each of the past three games.
Evan Mobley More Than 24.5 Points & Rebounds
The Clevland Cavaliers have looked like a legitimate title contender from start to finish this season and have been among the NBA’s biggest surprises. Evan Mobley has taken the next step forward in his development and this has been a key reason for the team’s improvement. Mobley is averaging a career-high 18.3 points and 9.1 rebounds this season. He left the December 8th with the Miami Heat and missed the previous game with an ankle injury, but he is expected to suit up tonight.
Mobley and the Cavaliers will face off with a Brooklyn Nets team with whom he has already had success against this year. During the November 9th matchup with the Nets, Mobley finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds. He also had recorded more than 24.5 combined points and rebounds in six of the seven games before his injury.
Looking at the season overall, Brooklyn ranks 20th in opponents points per game and 30th in rebounding. The Nets are set to take an even further step back offensively following the decision to trade Dennis Schroeder and with Cam Thomas remaining out. Expect there to be plenty of rebounding opportunities and for Mobley to make his impact felt offensively. He has recorded more than 24.5 combined points and rebounds in 16 of the 24 overall games this season and should pick up right where he left off. Expect Mobley to be a driving force behind the Cavaliers’ success tonight and impose himself in the box score.
Guerschon Yabusele More Than 5.5 Rebounds
The Philadelphia 76ers are back to attempting to survive without Joel Embiid and Nick Nurse will be forced to get creative with his lineup decision once again. Guerschon Yabusele proved to be a key part of this during the first stretch without Embiid and the same should be expected starting tonight. Yabusele has played himself into a more significant role on this Sixers team than expected and is averaging 9.6 points and 5.4 rebounds across his 24.0 minutes per game.
While Andre Drummond will likely get the first opportunity at the starting center spot, he has underwhelmed for most of the season. Nick Nurse has also spoken highly of how Yabusele presents the opportunity to play five-out basketball due to the threat of his 38.2% three-point percentage. In games without Embiid this season, Yabusele is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game and has recorded more than 5.5 rebounds in 10 of these 17 games. This also includes recording six or more rebounds in the six most recent games without Embiid.
Look for Yabusele’s role to grow once again without Embiid and for him to play a key role in rebounding the basketball. While his 6-foot-8 frame size does not stand out, he does an excellent job boxing out and using his strong frame. Expect him to impose himself in expanded minutes against the Hornets and record more than 5.5 rebounds tonight.
Jakob Poeltl Less Than 17.5 Points
Lost in the shuffle of the Toronto Raptors’ rebuild has been the strong play of Jakob Poeltl. The veteran big man is averaging 15.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He ranks seventh in the NBA in rebounding and leads all players with 4.04 offensive rebounds per game. However, his scoring output has begun to decrease and he has been held to less than 17.5 points in 16 of the 25 games he has played.
Poeltl has been incredibly solid this year, but a great deal of his offensive success has to do with having a size advantage and capitalizing. These opportunities will not be plentiful tonight with Nikola Vucevic set to serve as the primary matchup. The Bulls’ big man is averaging 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds this season, also outperforming expectations.
While Vucevic will not be confused for an All-NBA quality defender, Poeltl will be bothered by his size. The Raptors big man has been held to less than 17.5 points in back-to-back games and eight of the past 10 games. Poeltl has never averaged more than 13.5 points per game throughout a season and he has come back to earth in recent games. Expect Vucevic’s size to play a factor and for Poeltl to be held to less than 17.5 points again tonight.
John Collins More Than 7.5 Rebounds
The Utah Jazz enter tonight’s matchup with the Clippers with a 5-19 record. The organization is firmly in its rebuilding stage but has seen some high-level flashes from several young members of the roster. John Collins cracks the list of players receiving additional opportunity and is averaging 18.1 points and 8.2 rebounds across his 29.1 minutes per game. Collins has recorded more than 7.5 rebounds in 13 of the 23 games he has played and the matchup with the Clippers tonight presents a great chance to add to this.
Los Angeles has exceeded expectations early on this season and holds a 14-12 record entering tonight. Rebounding is a strength for the Clippers as they rank 16th in total rebounds and fourth in opponent rebounds per game. However, the Jazz have outperformed them in this category ranking 11th in total rebounds and second in opponent rebounds per game. Collins is a key part of this and his combination of size and athleticism will be especially problematic tonight.
Ivica Zubac leads the Clippers in rebounding with 12.2 boards per game while James Harden is second on the team with 6.7 per game. Expect Walker Kessler, and the 10.7 rebounds per game he averages, to be primarily matched up with Zubac. This will allow Collins to have more freedom to attack the glass and the Clippers do not have a player capable of matching his size and verticality. Count on the 27-year-old to be active on the boards and record more than 7.5 rebounds just as he has done in 13 of the 23 games already 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.
