To kick off the New Year right, basketball fans will be treated to a twelve-team, six-game NBA slate on Thursday. Among the contests worth watching, a showdown between James Harden’s Clippers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder stands out. Later on, the 76ers will hope to pick up a much-needed road win against Stephen Curry and the Warriors. With so many big names suiting up, there’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6 selections ahead of tonight’s matchups!
Bam Adebayo more than 19.5 points
Jimmy Butler trade rumors have been the talk of the town this month for the Heat. That’s taken attention away from the struggles of Bam Adebayo. The center has seen a statistical dip across the board, averaging 16.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists on a career-worst 45.6% field goal percentage. Those numbers, while disappointing, are still respectable enough to consider backing the big man against certain defenses.
Tonight’s game is the perfect spot for Miami’s big man to step up as a scorer. The Pacers are giving up 50.3 points in the paint, seventh-worst in the NBA. Over Adebayo’s previous five matchups vs. Indiana, he’s cleared this point total four times. Following a near triple-double against the Rockets last night, look for Bam to keep producing on Thursday.
Gary Trent Jr. more than 1.5 three-pointers made
One of the keys to Milwaukee’s midseason turnaround has been improved production off of the bench. Gary Trent Jr. wasn’t a marquee acquisition this summer, but signing the veteran was a savvy move by the Bucks. Through 29 appearances this season, the guard is putting up 9.6 points on 42.4% shooting from the field (41.1 3PT%).
Trent Jr.’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he shot an efficient 47.2% (45.3% 3PT) over the month of December. During that time, he knocked down 2.4 three-pointers on 5.3 attempts per game. The sharpshooter should keep his hot streak going tonight against the Nets. This season, Brooklyn is allowing opponents to convert 37.8% of their attempts from beyond the arc, the fifth-worst mark in the association.
Julius Randle more than 6.5 rebounds
It’s been a tough first season in Minnesota for Julius Randle. Bad body language, lackluster defense, and the stellar play of Karl-Anthony Towns in New York have made the three-time All-Star an easy target for fans. However, the power forward’s season-long numbers are still solid: 19.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists on an efficient 47.6% field goal percentage (36.1 3PT%).
Perhaps a battle with an old foe can get Randle back on track? The former Knicks star has snatched an average of 8.5 rebounds over his previous ten meetings with the Celtics. While the Timberwolves have a Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert to consider, Boston is giving up the 12th-most rebounds to opponents this season (52.9). His shooting can be streaky, but Big Ju has always been a menace on the glass; Thursday’s number feels more than reasonable.
James Harden more than 5.5 rebounds
While James Harden has never been the most efficient player, he’s always been one of the game’s elite stat-stuffers. Without the presence of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have been forced to lean on their other star all season. So far, The Beard hasn’t disappointed; through 32 games, he’s posted 21.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and a team-high 7.8 assists.
The former MVP’s shooting isn’t the safest bet these days, especially against an Oklahoma City defense that makes life miserable on the perimeter. However, if the Thunder have any weakness, it’s on the glass; they’ve given up the second-most rebounds to opponents this season (56.9). Over Harden’s previous ten outings vs. OKC, he’s gone over this total eight times. That includes two matchups this season, when the 35-year-old recorded 24 total rebounds. Expect another all-around performance on Wednesday night in a crucial Western Conference showdown.
LeBron James more than 24.5 points
Watching LeBron James play, you wouldn’t know he celebrated his 40th birthday three days ago. Time has always been just a number for The King; after a ‘rough’ stretch in November, it’s clear that the future Hall of Famer is still an absolute force. This season, he’s put up 23.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and a team-leading 8.9 assists for the Lakers.
In his older age, LeBron is more content to serve as a facilitator rather than a scorer. However, tonight’s matchup appears to be an exception, as there are few teams LBJ loves to torment more than the Trail Blazers. The four-time MVP has scored at least 28 points in each of his previous ten games vs. Portland. A six-game streak of 30+ points was snapped last January with a ‘disappointing’ 28-point performance. Long story short, we’re talking about a superhuman athlete with an impeccable track record against a particular opponent. All signs are pointing to another impressive night for one of the NBA’s greatest players.
Shaedon Sharpe more than 2.5 assists
The 11-21 Trail Blazers aren’t a good team by any means, but there’s plenty of intriguing pieces on the roster. That includes Shaedon Sharpe; the former lottery pick has averaged 17.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season. While there are plenty of mouths to feed in Portland, the rebuilding squad has made the 21-year-old’s development a top priority.
Sometimes, a total is so low that there’s no choice but to go over. Sharpe deserves his reputation as a score-first guard, but he’s not an unwilling passer. Over his previous ten outings, the third-year pro has gone over this total seven different times. Against a Lakers squad giving up the seventh-most assists in the NBA (28.4), this feels like the perfect spot to back Sharpe.
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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