Before ringing in the new year, basketball fans will be treated to a twelve-team, six-game NBA slate. Among the holiday matchups worth watching, a showdown between Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers and LeBron James’ Lakers stands out. Elsewhere, Western Conference hopefuls battle it out in Oklahoma City when the Thunder host the Timberwolves. With so many squads suiting up, there’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6 selections ahead of tonight’s New Year’s Eve matchups!
Scottie Barnes more than 20.5 points
The Raptors may have just seven wins, but there’s definitely talent on this roster. Injuries to starters have made it difficult for Toronto to generate any kind of momentum this season, even in a watered down Eastern Conference. However, despite missing 13 games this season, Scottie Barnes has impressed. The former Rookie of the Year is averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists on 45.5% shooting from the field.
Normally, a matchup with the Celtics isn’t ideal. However, Boston could be without two of its best defenders in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Should even one of the two sit out today, scoring would become a much easier proposition for the Raptors. Barnes will have ample opportunity to do just that with Toronto’s leading scorer RJ Barrett (illness) already ruled out. The All-Star forward has little standing in the way between him and a 20-point performance.
Derrick White more than 4.5 assists
We’ll stay in Beantown, where the defending champs might be shorthanded yet again. Although the Celtics are always a threat with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the absence of Holiday and Porzingis is significant. While the JB’s are sure to handle an even bigger workload on offense, several ‘other’ Celtics should see a boost in production as well. That includes Derrick White; this season, the guard has put up 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Boston doesn’t have a true lead ball handler, instead sharing the load amongst its stacked starting lineup. However, should Holiday miss Tuesday’s contest, expect to see White operate as more of a traditional point guard. That won’t be an issue against a Raptors team allowing 33.3 assists over their previous three games, second-worst in the NBA during that time. With the Celtics potentially shorthanded against a vulnerable opponent, five assists for White feels more than reasonable.
Darius Garland more than 6.5 assists
The 28-4 Cavaliers are the talk of the association, dominating opponents en route to the NBA’s best record. A number of factors are responsible for Cleveland’s renaissance, including the improved play of Darius Garland. While the former All-Star has never been a scrub, he’s rebounded nicely from a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. This season, the guard has posted 20.7 points, 6.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds on an efficient 49.9% from the field (43.4 3PT%).
In a marquee holiday matchup, look for Garland to step up as a passer. The Vanderbilt product enters tonight’s game on a bit of a hot streak, having gone over this assist number in four of his previous seven outings. That should come in handy against the Lakers, who have given up the sixth-most dimes to opponents (28.3). As the conductor of the league’s second-highest scoring offense (122.4 PPG), Garland is emerging as one of the game’s most dangerous passers.
Rudy Gobert more than 10.5 rebounds
In theory, Karl-Anthony Towns’ trade to the Knicks this offseason was supposed to reduce rebounding competition for Rudy Gobert. Through two months of play, that hasn’t been the case. This season, the Timberwolves’ center has seen his numbers decline across the board, going down to 10.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.
Still, for as inconsistent as Minnesota’s big man has been so far, he’ll always be a walking double-double threat. That’s especially true against the Thunder, who have given up the second-most rebounds to opponents this season (57.3). Over Gobert’s previous ten matchups of over 20 minutes against Oklahoma City, he’s gone over this rebounding number seven times. The Frenchman is set up nicely for another dominant showing on the glass against an undersized OKC squad.
Donte DiVincenzo more than 2.5 three-pointers made
After a brutal first few weeks with the Timberwolves, Donte DiVincenzo is finally starting to look like himself. The sharpshooter’s season-long numbers haven’t been great; he’s produced 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists on brutal 38.9/35.6/80.6 shooting splits. Still, with numbers far below what we’ve come to expect, it was only a matter of time until DDV benefitted from some regression to the mean.
DiVincenzo has erupted over Minnesota’s last five outings, putting up 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists on 49.1% shooting from the field (48.7 3PT%). Tuesday’s matchup with a stingy Thunder defense won’t be easy, but it might not matter. The Villanova alum has notched three or more three-pointers in four of his last five appearances, knocking down five in his most recent game vs. the Spurs. On a Timberwolves team desperate for offense, The Big Ragu should get plenty of opportunity from beyond the arc.
Julius Randle less than 19.5 points
We’ll close things out with yet another Timberwolves player, and another piece of October’s blockbuster trade with the Knicks. Julius Randle is one of the biggest enigmas in basketball; mental lapses and a perception as a playoff choker have made it tough to trust the power forward in big moments. Still, the three-time All-Star is putting up solid numbers this season, posting 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 47.8% shooting from the field (36.4 3PT%).
Going ‘less than’ on this point total has more to do with tonight’s opponent. The Thunder have the NBA’s top defense, giving up the fewest points in basketball (103.1). They are especially dominant down low, allowing the fewest points in the paint by a wide margin (40.6). Randle is talented enough to nail some shots from long distance, but he’ll have a harder time playing his signature brand of ‘bully ball’ against a group that doesn’t give up easy buckets.
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.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is b.armetta) 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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