Only three days remain until the NBA All-Star Game tips off in San Francisco. Before the association takes a week off, four teams are set to take the floor on Thursday. Among the matchups to watch, the 44-9 Thunder visiting Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves could be a barnburner. Elsewhere, the scrappy Rockets take on Jimmy Butler and the Warriors in Houston. There’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball selections ahead of tonight’s matchups!
Malik Monk more than 6.5 assists
Life without De’Aaron Fox means more ball-handling duties for some other members of the Kings. While Malik Monk’s play style is typically score-first, the guard could emerge as a distributor going forward. This season, he’s recorded 17.9 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 44.3% from the field. Expect those numbers to go up without an All-Star teammate in the back court.
Monk has dished out at least seven assists in two of his last three appearances. That isn’t the most impressive trend, but it does show the veteran is capable of finding his teammates. Sacramento’s opponent tonight, the Pelicans, have allowed the fifth-most assists per game this season (28.5). In a potentially high-scoring matchup on Thursday, Monk can easily dish out eight dimes.
Tyler Herro less than 3.5 three-pointers made
A career year for Tyler Herro has resulted in his first-ever All-Star Game selection. A quick look at the guard’s statistics show that the honor is well-deserved. This season, the 25-year-old has posted career-high marks with 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Miami’s budding star has been efficient as well, putting up 46.4/38.5/85.8 shooting splits.
While the Heat should find some success on offense tonight, it might not come from beyond the arc. This season, the Mavericks have allowed 13.1 three-pointers made per game, seventh-fewest in the NBA. Herro has reached this total just once over his last five outings. More of the same might be in store against a solid Dallas perimeter defense.
Keegan Murray more than 6.5 rebounds
We’ll head back to New Orleans, where a number of Kings are well-positioned for a big game. Keegan Murray isn’t exactly a fantasy basketball ‘must-start’, however. The third-year pro has battled inconsistent shooting and middling defense all season. Through 51 games, he’s put up 12.0 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 43.5% from the field.
Recently, Murray has stepped up his rebounding production. Over the 24-year-old’s last 11 contests, he’s reached seven boards seven different times. The Pelicans struggle to box out, allowing the third-most rebounds per game to opponents (55.0). Sacramento’s power forward has little standing between him and a big game on the glass tonight.
Rudy Gobert more than 10.5 rebounds
It’s been a rough season so far for Rudy Gobert. Despite an offseason trade of seven-footer Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota’s remaining center has seen his role decrease this season. The veteran’s numbers have plummeted to their lowest point in ten years, averaging 11.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
A recent injury to Julius Randle (adductor) has opened up the paint for the Frenchman. Over his last five outings, Gobert has generated 14.0 points and 11.6 rebounds. Minnesota’s opponent tonight, the Thunder, have allowed the fourth-most rebounds per game to opponents (54.5). The three-time All-Star isn’t a perfect player, but he’s still a double-double threat in the right matchup. Oklahoma City will have their hands full on Thursday attempting to box out one of basketball’s best rebounders.
John Collins less than 7.5 rebounds
There isn’t much to be excited about for the 13-40 Jazz. However, one of the team’s lone bright spots this season has been John Collins. The eighth-year pro has been terrific, recording 18.2 points and 8.2 rebounds through 35 games. On an otherwise atrocious squad, the former Hawks star has become one of the NBA’s most underrated players.
With all that being said, Collins might struggle to make an impact tonight. Utah hosts the Clippers, one of the stingiest defenses in the league. Los Angeles excels down low, holding opponents to just 49.8 rebounds per game, second-fewest in basketball. When these teams last met in December, Collins tallied five rebounds over 38 minutes of play. Keeping that in mind, it’s tough to imagine the power forward will snag eight boards in this one.
Derrick Jones Jr. more than 10.5 points
The Clippers have surprised pundits and fans alike with a 30-23 record this season. Los Angeles has star power, but there’s plenty of quality role players on the roster as well. Among the many savvy signings made by this front office, Derrick Jones Jr. stands out. The two-way wing was a key contributor for Dallas last year during their run to the NBA Finals. He’s brought those same skills to LA, averaging 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
DJJ isn’t the most reliable player for fantasy basketball purposes. Still, he’s notched at least ten points in ten of his last 15 appearances. The small forward has a great opportunity as a scorer tonight against the Jazz. This season, Utah has allowed 119.8 points per game, the third-highest mark in the NBA. As long as he plays more than half of tonight’s game, Jones Jr. can easily reach double-digits on Thursday.
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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