Less than 10 games are remaining in the NBA regular season for most teams with the playoffs on the horizon. As teams dig their heels in with the intent to clinch a playoff opportunity or maximize their lottery odds, there are some fateful games to close out the year. There are seven games of action on the night’s slate with implications on both sides of the standings.
Starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Detroit Pistons with both teams being among the better stories in the NBA this season. A pair of games will tip off a half hour later taking place between the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets as well as the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets. Three of these teams are ranked in the top seven in draft lottery odds, so don’t be shocked if there are some experimental lineups and eyebrow-raising minute allocations.
Three games will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Phoenix Suns, the New York Knicks will play the Milwaukee Bucks, and the New Orleans Pelicans will face the Golden State Warriors. Just one game will be taking place in the late slate between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz with this matchup tipping off 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 28. You simply choose whether each set statistic will be more or less than the number set. With the stage set, here are my favorite picks across the seven-game slate.
Dennis Schroder More Than 13.5 Points
To open up the night of NBA action, the Detroit Pistons will face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pistons will be without Cade Cuningham for the third straight game due to a calf injury. The absence of the all-star guard changes the outlook for the rest of the roster with Dennis Schroder set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
It has been a turbulent season for the 31-year-old as Schroder has been traded twice this season and the Pistons are the third team he is suiting up for. Across his 20 games with the Pistons, Schroder is averaging 10.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game. Across his past 11 games, Schroder’s minutes have grown to 24.9 per game and his scoring output has increased to 12.5 points per matchup. He has scored more than 13.5 points in four games and will have increased offensive freedom without Cunningham on the floor.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have already clinched their playoff spot and hold a comfortable five-game cushion over the Celtics for the top seed in the East. This will be the second half of a back-to-back after Evan Mobley rested last night and don’t be shocked if a notable name or two are ruled out leading up to this game. Schroder scored 22 points against the Cavaliers while playing for the Nets and also dropped 12 points against them while playing for the Warriors. Look for Schroder to make the most of his offensive freedom and record more than 13.5 points for the 26th time this season and the fifth time with the Pistons.
Immanuel Quickley Less Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
In a battle of the NBA’s cellar-dwellers, the Toronto Raptors will play the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams have made it clear with their actions this season that they are more invested in maximizing their lottery odds rather than winning games. Immanuel Quckley has been a key figure in this suiting up for just 29 games this season. The 25-year-old has been ruled out for five of the past 10 games due to rest but is expected to suit up tonight.
When he has been on the floor, Quickley has been effective this year. The Kentucky product is averaging 17.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. He is shooting 37.1% from beyond the three-point arc while attempting 6.2 perimeter shots per game. This comes out to 2.5 made three-pointers per game and Quickley has tallied more than 2.5 made three-pointers in 13 of the 29 games he has played.
While Brooklyn also sits right in the lottery mix, they have brought an admiral defensive effort on a regular basis. The Nets rank ninth in opponents’ points per game allowed and limit opponents to the sixth-fewest three-point attempts per game. Quickley has been limited to under 26 minutes of play in two of his past four games and will need to be active early to reach this total. Expect Toronto to limit Quickley’s minutes and for Brooklyn to compete on the defensive end. Look for him to be held to less than 2.5 made three-pointers for the 17th time in his 30 games played.
Anthony Edwards More Than 3.5 Made Three-Pointers
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns will face off tonight with both teams lower in the competitive Western Conference standings than they would like. While the situation is more dire for the Suns, Anthony Edwards and company are just a half-game out of the sixth seed which would avoid the play-in tournament entirely. The keys to the Timberwolves organization were fully handed to Anthony Edwards this offseason following the decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns and the 23-year-old has played through the growing pains that come with this.
On the season overall, Edwards is averaging 27.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He has taken a significant step forward in his three-point production launching 10.1 three-point attempts per game. This is a career-high for Edwards and ranks third across the NBA. The Georgia product has connected on 39.5% of these perimeter attempts and made more than 3.5 three-pointers in 42 of the 70 games he has played. This will be the third matchup between these two teams with Edwards shooting 12-for-29 across these previous matchups.
While Phoenix has plenty of issues to address, defense has been the root of their problems. They rank 22nd in opponents’ points per game, 22nd in opponent three-point attempts, and 19th in opponents’ three-point percentage. Expect Edwards to be ready for the challenge to go toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant and be active from beyond the arc. Look for him to connect with more than 3.5 three-pointers for the 43rd time this season even if it takes plenty of shot volume to get there.
Kevin Durant More Than 9.5 Assists & Rebounds
On the other side of the matchup, Kevin Durant has been tasked with being the buoy to keep the Suns organization afloat. The 15-time All-Star is averaging 26.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He has tallied more than 9.5 combined assists and rebounds in 36 of the 60 games this season. This includes one of the two games he has been active for against the Timberwolves.
While Durant slips into score-first mode for stretches as well, the team needs him to continue filling up the stat sheet and doing the little things for the team to be effective. Bradley Beal will remain sidelined for this matchup due to a hamstring injury for the sixth straight game. While this may be best for both sides based on how the Beal experience has gone, Durant has recorded more than 9.5 assists and rebounds in 11 of the 18 games he has played without Beal this season.
Minnesota plays a defensive-minded brand of basketball limiting opponents to the sixth-fewest points per game. Look for Durant to assert himself across the board and fill up the stat sheet with his assists and rebounds. Count on Durant recording more than 9.5 assists and rebounds for the 37th time this season as desperation continues to kick in on the state of the season.
Tyler Kolek More Than 13.5 Points & Assists
Injuries have hit the Knicks guards hard of late with Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, and Cameron Payne each suffering issues over the past few games. Brunson and Payne will be sidelined tonight due to ankle issues while McBride will miss due to a groin injury. This opens the door for an expanded role for Tyler Kolek. The 34th overall pick has played just 215 total minutes at the NBA level thus far but has shown some intriguing flashes in the limited sample size.
Kolek has logged 18+ minutes in just three games all season with these being the past three matchups. He showcased his playmaking chops, recording 24 assists across the past three games. His shot has not fallen yet, with Kolek adding just six total points on 2-for-10 shooting across these games. The Marquette product has not had his full breakout performance as a scorer yet, after averaging 15.3 points on 38.8% three-point shooting last year in college. His NBA career-high is currently eight points, which occurred against the Milwaukee Bucks in just 16:14 of game time.
The Knicks and Kolek will be facing off with the Bucks again tonight which should be a welcomed opponent. Milwaukee’s outlook shifted greatly following the news that Damian Lillard is set to be sidelined due to a blood clot issue. Giannis Antetokounmpo is also listed as questionable with a foot injury after missing the previous game. Even at full strength, Milwaukee ranks 12th in opponents points allowed, 11th in assists given up, and 23rd in three-point attempts allowed. Look for Kolek to make the most of his expanded role and produce a career-best statistical output by recording more than 13.5 points and assists tonight.
Nikola Jokic More Than 11.5 Rebounds
In the final matchup of the night’s slate, the Denver Nuggets will host the Utah Jazz with the two teams having much different outlooks for the remainder of the year. This also is the second half of a back-to-back for Utah. Even under the best of circumstances, Nikola Jokic is set to look like the best player on the floor by a comfortable margin.
The three-time MVP is averaging 29.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game this season. He has recorded more than 11.5 rebounds in 40 of the 63 games he has played, including 19 of the 32 home games. Jokic hauled in a season-high 22 rebounds in one of the matchups with the Jazz already this season.
On the season overall, Utah ranks 13th in opponents’ rebounds allowed. However, they have given up the most rebounds per game to centers since the All-Star break. Jokic is as significant of a threat in this category that you will find and look for him to be active tonight. The risk of a blowout is a concern, but if Jokic sees close to his usual workload, he should have no problem pulling in an impressive rebounding output. Count on him to record more than 11.5 rebounds against an inferior opponent for the 41st time this season.
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!
