Following a loaded night of high-level NBA hoops, there are just three games on the Friday night schedule. While this is one of the quieter nights of NBA action, anything can happen on any given night.
To kick things off, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets square off. Each of these matchups is set to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Sixers have lost seven consecutive games entering tonight’s matchup and will play a Cavaliers team that has held the best record in the league from start to finish this year and is looking to bounce back from a rare loss. Both the Hornets and Trail Blazers have fallen to at least 12 games below .500 on the season, although each youthful roster holds some bright spots.
Then, at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Memphis Grizzlies will play the New Orleans Pelicans. Memphis sits in third place in the Western Conference with a 29-15 record. In comparison, it has been a disastrous start to the season for the Pelicans with injuries headlining their issues. However, the Pelicans enter this matchup on a four-game winning streak and are beginning to show some signs of life.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the action this evening. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Basketball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for January 24. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my six favorite plays for Friday night’s action.
Yves Missi More Than 8.5 Rebounds
There will be a battle of rookie centers tonight as Yves Missi and the Pelicans take on Zach Edey and the Grizzlies. Zion Williamson’s return to the floor has sparked a bit of a turnaround as their current four-game winning streak marks their largest winning streak of the season. However, Williamson will return to the sideline tonight to miss the game while Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones remain out.
While Williamson’s absence is a huge hit for the Pelicans, Yves Missi will benefit from the additional rebounding opportunities. The Baylor product is averaging 9.1 points and 8.2 rebounds on the season and 8.8 rebounds in games that Williamson does not play. Missi has recorded more than 8.5 rebounds in 18 of the 41 games he has played overall. While he missed the previous two games due to illness, Missi is expected to make his return to the floor tonight and the team will need his effort on the glass.
Memphis is an impressive rebounding team that ranks second in total rebounds and 10th in opponent rebounds allowed. However, Missi is tied with Williamson with the most rebounds per contest on the team with no other member recording more than 6.6 boards per game. The 6-foot-11 big man possesses impressive athleticism and verticality that will provide a unique challenge for Edey. Look for Missi to make up for Williamson’s absence and make a strong impact rebounding the basketball.
Guerschon Yabusele More Than 17.5 Points & Rebounds
It is difficult to find very many bright spots on the Philadelphia 76ers team but the level of play from Guerschon Yabusele sits at the top of the list. After being out of the NBA since the 2018-19 season, Yabusele has made the most of his opportunity this year and continually produces on the floor. Across his 25.8 minutes per game, Yabusele is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.
The French big man’s level of opportunity will be expanded tonight with Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond set to miss this matchup. Yabusele is averaging 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in games without Embiid this season and 12.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in games that Drummond has not played. Expect Yabusele to get the start at the center position and for his perimeter shooting to be a factor in this game. Evan Mobley will miss the matchup for the Cavaliers meaning Jarrett Allen will be the likely matchup. Allen is an impressive talent but can struggle when defending on the perimeter. On the season Yabusele is shooting 40.9% on three-point attempts while launching 3.9 per game.
With some additional opportunity put on his plate and Yabusele continuing to produce at a high level, look for him to deliver tonight. The 29-year-old has recorded more than 17.5 points and rebounds in 16 of the 40 games he has played this season and tied his season-high with 22 points the last time he was on the floor. Expect his three-point shooting to be a factor tonight and for Yabusele to impose himself on the boards.
Jarrett Allen More Than 25.5 Points & Rebounds
On the other side of the matchup with Yabusele is Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen. The Cavaliers have been on an absolute tear this season and hold a 36-7 record overall. Allen has been a major contributor to this league-best record and has a case for being one of the most under-appreciated players in the league. The former All-Star center is averaging 14.1 points and 10.0 rebounds so far this season.
Without Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond on the floor, expect Allen to be at the forefront of the rebounding production in this game. Philadelphia has played with a concerning lack of effort of late which was most recently highlighted by a 35-point blowout loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday. They have dropped to 15-27 on the season and enter this game on a seven-game losing streak. Across this period the Sixers rank 29th in points allowed and 19th in rebounds conceded. While Yabusele uses his strength and competes on every possession, Allen’s size will be a factor in this matchup.
So far this season Allen has recorded more than 25.5 points and rebounds in 19 games. While he was held to less than 25.5 points and rebounds in the previous two matchups with Philadelphia, Allen had 17 points and 13 rebounds in Wednesday’s matchup with the Rockets and the team will continue to be without Evan Mobley. Not having Mobley puts increased rebounding and offensive responsibility on Allen’s plate and this is a vulnerable part of the Sixers’ defense. Philadelphia ranks 22nd in points in the paint allowed on the season overall. Expect his size to be a notable factor in this game and for Allen to impose himself on the boards, creating some easy offensive opportunities.
Donovan Mitchell Less Than 35.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
The Cleveland Cavaliers maintain the best record in the NBA and hold an average margin of victory of +10.1 points. Donovan Mitchell is the face of the franchise, but has not had to put forth some of the heroic stat lines that other stars do on a night-to-night basis as a result of Cleveland’s team-oriented success. Overall, he is averaging 23.6 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds, which each fall below his output last season.
Mitchell is more than capable of taking over this game, but it likely will not be necessary based on the struggling state of the Sixers. The five-time All-Star has been limited to fewer than 30 minutes of game time in 13 of the 41 starts he has made this season and he’s averaging a career-low 31.2 minutes per game due to the number of blowouts the Cavaliers have played in. This includes one of the previous matchups with the Sixers which resulted in a 27-point Cavaliers victory in which Mitchell was limited to 28 combined points, rebounds and assists. On the season overall, Mitchell has held to less than 35.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in 26 of his 41 games.
Jaylen Wells More Than 12.5 Points
One of the biggest success stories and surprises out of this year’s draft class has been Jaylen Wells. The Washington State product was selected with the 39th pick in this year’s draft and proven far more NBA-ready than most expected. Wells has started 39 of the 44 games for the Grizzlies and is averaging 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists across his 26.2 minutes of action. Wells has been especially impressive beyond the three-point arc, connecting on 38.8% of his perimeter attempts while launching 5.2 per game.
The rookie has played with more confidence of late and should have an opportunity for an expanded offensive role tonight. He enters having recorded more than 12.5 points in three consecutive games and five of his past six. He has tallied more than 12.5 points in 21 of the 44 games overall.
Memphis will take on the Pelicans, who rank 25th in opponent points allowed and rank 28th in opponent field goal percentage. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia have been ruled out, while Ja Morant has been downgraded to questionable. Look for Wells to continue to be in attack mode against an underwhelming defensive opponent and for the rookie to extend his streak by recording more than 12.5 points for the fourth straight game.
Desmond Bane More Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
Team success remains the priority for all parties involved, but Desmond Bane has taken a step back in individual production this season. The TCU alum is averaging just 17.2 points per game, the lowest total since his rookie season in 2020-21. He’s also attempting 5.9 three-point attempts which is well below the 8.6 per game he shot last year or the 7.0 per game he shot the season prior. Even still, Bane is connecting on 38.5% of his three-point attempts which comes out to an average of 2.3 made three-pointers per game.
If Morant cannot suit up, Bane will see his offensive role grow, but look for most of his impact to be from beyond the perimeter tonight. New Orleans ranks 21st in opponent three-point attempts allowed and 17th in opponent three-point percentage on the season.
Bane has connected on more than 2.5 three-point attempts this season in 13 of his 35 games, including each of his past two starts. While the 38.5% three-point percentage is still impressive by NBA standards, Bane has shot over 40% from beyond the arc in three of the five seasons of his career. Expect him to take advantage of a vulnerable Pelicans defense and make the most of his opportunities from beyond the arc.
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!
