There will be nine games taking place across today’s NBA slate. Headlined by a potential NBA Finals preview as the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder face off, it is a quieter overall night of basketball.
Three games will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Conference-leading clash beginning during this time. In addition, the Toronto Raptors will face off with the Philadelphia 76ers with both teams having their sights set on maximizing their lottery odds. At the same time, the Atlanta Hawks will play the Charlotte Hornets.
At 8:00 p.m. ET, four games will be taking place. Most notably, the Houston Rockets will face off with the Phoenix Suns while the Los Angeles Clippers play the Miami Heat. At the same time, the Memphis Grizzlies will take on the Utah Jazz while the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs face off for the second straight game.
In the late window of games, a double-header will tip off at 10:00 p.m. ET. The New York Knicks will be taking on the Portland Trail Blazers while the Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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 12th. 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 nine-game slate.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander More Than 6.5 Assists
All eyes will be on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics as they face off for the second time this season. This is a tough stretch of game for the Thunder after they just concluded back-to-back games against the Denver Nuggets. They will now face off with the defending champions with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being at the heart of the team’s production. The MVP-favorite is averaging a league-leading 32.7 points, 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game this season.
One important note in this game is the Thunder are set to be without Jalen Williams. The Santa Clara product suffered a hip injury during the previous matchup that caused him to be removed from the game and he could miss some extended time. Williams has grown into the second option on this Thunder team and is adding 21.3 points per game this season. Without Williams on the floor as a secondary creator, Boston will shift their defensive game plan and have a much clearer focus on Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder star will be the top priority for Boston’s defense as they pick their poison against this deep roster.
On the season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 6.2 assists and has recorded over 6.5 assists in 29 games this year. This includes four of his last five games played. The effects of the loss of Williams were seen in the second half of the Thunder’s back-to-back matchups against Denver. In the first game, Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 40 points and was limited to five assists. There was an increased focus on the star guard following Jalen Williams’ injury with the Gilgeous Alexander being limited to 25 points and attempting 18 fewer shot attempts. He was more effective as a passer finishing with seven assists in this second game. Expect Boston to have a similar defensive technique tonight by throwing multiple bodies at the NBA’s leading scorer and forcing Gilgeous-Alexander to beat them as a passer. Count on the three-point abilities of players like Cason Wallace, Alex Carius, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to come into play and for Gilgeous-Alexander to combat this Celtics defense by driving and creating for others. Count on him tallying more than 6.5 assists in this notable measuring stick matchup.
Guerschon Yabusele Less Than 10.5 Points
Buckle up for some unique lineups and strategic tanking set to take place in the matchup between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams have a larger vested interest in maximizing their lottery odds rather than fighting for wins as the Sixers currently hold the seventh-worst record in the NBA at 22-42 while the Raptors are a half-game below them with a record of 22-43 on the season. Philadelphia’s first-round pick is top-six protected, meaning if it falls outside the first six selections it will be sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder which further complicates this outlook.
Both teams are fully aware of the stakes and have gone to some notable lengths on the injury report to increase their odds of getting the result that is best for the long-term of the organization. Philadelphia will continue to be without its three stars Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. In addition, Jared McCain, Kyle Lowry, and Eric Gordon will remain out while Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond are listed as questionable. Guerschon Yabsuele is expected to be available and has been one of the bigger bright spots on an otherwise disastrous season in Philadelphia. It should be noted that he was added to the injury report as questionable with a knee injury later in the day so this is something to monitor.
The Frenchman is averaging 10.5 points across his 26.5 minutes of play on the season and has filled whatever role is asked of him. Yabusele has been held under 10.5 points in 36 of the 60 games he has played including each of the past three games. Philadelphia has limited his minutes in recent games with the outlook of the season in mind. Yabusele played just 11:39 of game time against the Jazz on Sunday. Expect this to continue to be the case tonight and for Yabusele to fail to see an expanded opportunity on the court. Count on some sloppy basketball being played in this game but for Yabusele to fail to reach 10.5 points for the fourth straight game and 37th time this season.
Jamal Shead More Than 23.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
On the other side of this matchup, look for Jamal Shead to make the most of his available minutes. Toronto has already ruled out RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, Ochai Hgbaji, Jonathan Mogbo, Ja’Kobe Walter, Gradey Dick, and Ulrich Chomche for this matchup. Scottie Barnes is also listed as questionable with a finger issue. The Raptors may have as few as eight players for this game with this being arguably the biggest game of the season for both of these teams even though it is for all the wrong reasons.
Regardless of the lottery odds, these are the types of opportunities that players like Jamal Shead should be leaping at. The rookie guard is averaging 18.0 minutes per game on the season across his 59 games played. He is producing 6.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds overall. However, he has a clear pathway toward an expanded opportunity and production tonight. Over the past 16 games, he is averaging 8.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 rebounds while playing 21.8 minutes per game. Shead finished with 11 points, nine assists, and five rebounds on Saturday against the Wizards. He clocked 28:43 of game time and looked to have connected on a game-winning shot at the buzzer which ultimately was waived off for being a split second too late.
Expect Shead to be at the heart of Tornoto’s production and have plenty of opportunity on the floor tonight. The Raptors will be without just about all of their top offensive options and Shead has shown some intriguing flashes in his play. Someone must produce for this Raptors team and count on the rookie to continue to cement his NBA future and tally more than 23.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists tonight.
Georges Niang More Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
After starting the season on the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, Georges Niang was traded away at the deadline as a part of the package that brought back De’Andre Hunter. Across his first 12 games with the Hawks, Niang is averaging 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across his 26.8 minutes per game. He is shooting 40.2% from beyond the three-point arc while attempting 7.3 perimeter shots per game.
Niang has connected on more than 2.5 made three-pointers in eight of his first 12 games with the Hawks. He was shooting 40.0% on three-pointers across the first half of the season with the Cavaliers and is a 39.8% three-point shooter in his career so this is not far from his standard. In addition, Atlanta will continue to be without Jalen Johnson and Larry Nance Jr, providing a clear path for minutes for the new forward. Trae Young and Caris LeVert are also listed as questionable and both missed the previous matchup. Niang would be asked to generate much more offense if one or both are set to miss.
With the Hawks needing some additional offense and Niang being capable as one of the better three-point shooters in the league, expect him to be active from beyond the arc. He has connected with as many as seven made three-pointers in a game already in Atlanta. Expect him to be active against a Hornets team that ranks 27th in the league in three-point attempts allowed to opponents. Count on Niang to connect with more than 2.5 made three-pointers for the second straight game and the ninth time in a Hawks uniform thus far.
Bol Bol More Than 10.5 Points & Rebounds
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season and will have to face some uncomfortable future questions this summer. In the short term, they are trying everything possible to have a chance at the playoffs and maximize their season. One change that has brought some success has been the injection of Bol Bol into a more prominent role. The 7-foot-3 power forward has one of the most unique skillsets in the NBA and the Suns have benefitted from his recent level of play.
On the season overall, Bol Bol is averaging 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across his 13.9 minutes per game. Across his past 15 games, Bol is averaging 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in his 21.4 minutes per game. Phoenix has been the second-highest-scoring offense in the NBA over their past five games while playing some respectable defenses. Tonight will be another tough matchup as Houston ranks fourth in the league in opponents’ points per game and seventh in opponents’ rebounds allowed.
While the youthful, hard-nosed Rockets’ roster is a concern, count on Bol Bol’s extended opportunity to continue. He is averaging just 13.9 minutes per game on the season but has eclipsed this level of opportunity in 11 of his last 15 games. He is a unique player but the talent level is undeniable for Bol. He has tallied more than 10.5 points and rebounds in nine of his past 15 games and should have success when matched up with Alperen Sengun. Count on Bol to make use of his floor spacing ability and 7-foot-8 wingspan by recording more than 10.5 points and rebounds again tonight.
Mikal Bridges More Than 16.5 Points
The New York Knicks will take on the Portland Trail Blazers in one of the final matchups of the night’s slate. Jalen Brunson remains out for New York following the sprained ankle he sustained against the Lakers. The rest of this Knicks team will need to make up for the 26.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.0 rebounds that Brunson provides. The team’s overdependence on Brunson in the past is what led the organization to go out and trade for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns this offseason while investing a massive contract in OG Anunoby.
Bridges has underwhelmed on the larger scale of the season but has settled in as the year progressed. Overall he is averaging 17.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. Bridges has tallied over 16.5 points in 33 games this season and dropped 22 points in the first game following Brunson’s injury. New York will be matching up with a Portland Trail Blazers team that has shown an impressive turnaround as the year progressed. However, they are playing at the sixth-quickest pace over the past 15 games which should provide some additional offensive opportunities and opposing shooting guards are shooting an NBA-best 51.5% when facing the Trail Blazers.
While Bridges does not always assert himself offensively in the way that he should, count on him to step up with Brunson watching from the sideline. Bridges has tallied more than 16.5 points in 51.6% of the games this season while sharing the floor with the star point guard for the vast majority of this. Look for him to be active from start to finish in this matchup and record more than 16.5 points for the 34th time this year.
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!
