There are seven games set to take place across today’s NBA slate. The headline matchup will take place between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets with this set to be the nationally televised matchup.
Starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, the Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Portland Trail Blazers while the Golden State Warriors take on the Charlotte Hornets. A half-hour later, the Washington Wizards will take on the Miami Heat.
In addition to the Western Conference battle between the Thunder and Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies will also tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET. In the later slate of games, the Dallas Mavericks will host the Sacramento Kings before the final matchup between the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons takes place at 9:00 p.m. ET.
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 action on March 3rd. You simply choose whether each set statistic will be more or less than the number is set. With the stage set, here are my favorite picks across the seven-game slate.
Deni Avdija More Than 6.5 Rebounds
The Portland Trail Blazers have done an impressive job turning their season around and have become a tough team to match up with on an every night basis. They are 27-34 on the season overall, sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference, but have won 14 of their past 20 games. Deni Avdija has been a huge part of this production and is averaging 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Avdija’s rebounding output has been especially impressive in recent games. The 24-year-old pulled in 12 rebounds last night and had 14 rebounds two games prior. Rebounding is one of the bigger weaknesses on this Sixers team as they rank 19th in opponent rebounds allowed and 30th in total team rebounds on the season. Joel Embiid has been shut down for the season due to his knee issues and Andre Drummond has been underwhelming in his opportunities thus far.
In addition, Portland has played at the fastest pace in the NBA over their past five games. Expect these additional opportunities to create more rebounding chances. Avdija has pulled in more than 6.5 rebounds in 21 games this season and is averaging 28.6 minutes per game. He logged 42:06 of game time last night so expect his level of opportunity to be large. Look for him to have plenty of chances for rebounds and capitalize on the weakness of the Sixers by being active on the boards tonight. Count on him to record more than 6.5 rebounds for the 22nd time this season and make his impact felt in this matchup.
Tyrese Maxey Less Than 30.5 Points
On the other side of this matchup, the Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to build off their recent victory over the Golden State Warriors. While initially built to be a three-star system, Tyrese Maxey has been left to fend for himself far too often. This season has taken a toll on the 24-year-old with him currently playing through a hand issue on his shooting hand. Maxey and Nick Nurse have each admitted he is bothered by the injury and he was forced to make changes to his release to continue playing. The Kentucky product has shot a combined 0-for-12 on three-point attempts in his last two games and is averaging just 16.7 points over his last five matchups which is uncharacteristic for the star guard.
On the season overall, Maxey is averaging 26.7 points per game. He has been held to less than 30.5 points in 32 of the 51 games he has played. He was held to just five points in the recent victory over the Warriors shooting 2-for-14 from the field and also had a five-point performance against the Raptors in which he shot 1-for-9 from the field recently.
There is a bright future ahead for Maxey, but he is clearly bothered by the hand issue he is dealing with. His quickness still presents the opportunity to get downhill and attack the basket, but his lack of effectiveness as a shooter is too large of a concern to back him right now. He is shooting just 37.2% from the field and 22.2% on three-point attempts over his past six games. Count on Maxey being held to less than 30.5 points for the 33rd time tonight as he continues to play more of a playmaking-first role until he returning to better health.
Quentin Grimes More Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
The Philadelphia 76ers added Quentin Grimes at the trade deadline and are reaping the benefits of what he is bringing to the team. The former 25th overall pick erupted for a career-high 44 points on Saturday against the Warriors and willed the Sixers to a victory. Across the nine games that he has played for Philadelphia, Grimes is averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He is shooting 41.1% on three-point attempts while launching 6.2 perimeter shots per game.
It is clear both Grimes and the Sixers are evaluating if they are a long-term match with him set to be a restricted free agent this summer. The 24-year-old has been given offensive freedom and fills a need for scoring production within the team. This is especially evident from the perimeter with Grimes connecting on more than 2.5 three-pointers in four of his past six games.
Philadelphia will take on the Trail Blazers tonight who rank 18th in opponents’ scoring and are 16th in opponents’ three-point percentage allowed. Grimes faced this team four times while still playing for the Mavericks and recorded more than 2.5 made three-pointers in two of these matchups. He made five three-pointers in one of these games. Look for Grimes to build off his career day against the Warriors and be ready to let it fly tonight. While rekindling the 44-point effort feels unlikely, look for him to knock down more than 2.5 made three-pointers once again.
Desmond Bane Less Than 5.5 Assists
The Memphis Grizzlies will host the Atlanta Hawks tonight with both teams entering on a two-game losing streak. This is just the fifth time this season Memphis has lost consecutive games and they have now dropped to fourth place in the Western Conference. Desmond Bane has taken a bit of a statistical step back this season averaging 18.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game this season.
Ja Morant has been unable to stay on the court consistently which has altered Bane’s role notably. In the 31 games that they have shared the floor, Bane is averaging 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Morant is officially listed as questionable with a shoulder injury for this matchup but was present at the team shootaround this morning.
Overall, Bane has been held to less than 5.5 assists in 26 of the 48 games he has played. The 26-year-old missed the previous game with a hip injury but is off the injury report tonight. Look for Bane to prioritize his scoring output and for his playmaking impact to be minimal. The TCU product has played above his head as a playmaker this season and is beginning to return to his normal output. Look for him to be held to less than 5.5 assists in this matchup as his numbers begin to settle closer to his career average of 3.7 assists per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander More Than 42.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
The Oklahoma City Thunder produced a thrilling victory over the San Antonio Spurs in which tempers flared throughout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played at his standard level finishing with 31 points, eight assists, and four rebounds (43 combined PRA) despite Jalen Williams stealing the offensive spotlight. This is on par with what has been seen from the MVP favorite all season with Gigleous-Alexander averaging a league-leading 32.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this year.
Oklahoma City will be right back in action and taking on the Houston Rockets tonight. Both of these youthful rosters have plenty of hope in the short and long term but should be regarded as threats this year. This will be the fourth matchup that Gilgeous-Alexander has suited up for against the Rockets this season. He is averaging 31.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists across these three games. He has recorded more than 42.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in two of these three games.
There are some notable concerns on the Rockets’ injury report with Fred VanVleet already ruled out and Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, and Tari Eason each listed as questionable. Regardless of who can suit up, count on Gilgeous-Alexander looking like the best player on the floor. The Thunder star has recorded more than 42.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in 31 of the 59 games he has played this year and has a unique ability to make his impact felt regardless of the type of defense thrown in his direction. Expect him to be ready for this Western Conference challenge and get back to being at the heart of the Thunder’s production by logging at least 43 combined points, rebounds, and assists tonight.
Keyonte George Less Than 17.5 Points
The final matchup on today’s NBA slate will be between the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons. Utah sits in last place in the Western Conference with a 15-45 record on the season and has its sights set firmly on the rebuild. In contrast, the Pistons have flipped their intentions to a win-now focus and have played some high-level basketball this season. Detroit has climbed to sixth place in the Eastern Conference with their 34-27 record and are 9-1 in their last 10 games.
Improved defense has been a clear source of this success with the Pistons ranking fifth in opponents’ points allowed, second in opponents’ field goal percentage, and third in opponents’ rebounds allowed across this 10-game stretch. The Jazz have some trouble scoring the ball already and this will be a factor in tonight’s game. Look for Keyonte George to be near the top of the list of players impacted.
On the season, George is averaging 16.8 points per game and shooting just 39.7% from the floor. This is somehow an improvement from his rookie season but George has been held to less than 17.5 points in 29 of the 50 games he has played. He has been held to 13 points or fewer in four of the past nine games. Expect the Pistons’ defense to be the story of this matchup and George’s inefficient shot diet to lead to some struggles. Count on him being held to less than 17.5 points for the 30th time this season in the final matchup of the night.
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!
