There are three games on the Friday NBA playoff slate, with two of these matchups featuring teams attempting to avoid the dreadful 3-0 series hole.
To start the night, the Orlando Magic will host the Boston Celtics after dropping the opening two games of the series. Health is a concern in this matchup as Jayson Tatum missed the previous game and holds doubtful tag for tonight. Jaylen Brown joined him on the injury report as he is listed as questionable with a knee injury, and Jrue Holiday is also questionable due to a hamstring issue.
Next, the Indiana Pacers will take on the Bucks with the series shifting to Milwaukee. The Bucks have dug themselves a 2-0 series hole, so this is a crucial game.
Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves will face off with the series squared at one win each. This will be the first matchup of the series taking place in Minnesota.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the action this evening. One of the unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Basketball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for action on April 25. You simply choose whether each set statistic will be more or less than the set number. With the stage set, here are my favorite picks across the three Friday night playoff matchups..
Payton Pritchard More Than 14.5 Points
There is plenty of uncertainty regarding who will be suiting up for the Boston Celtics tonight. Tatum missed the last game and is doubtful for tonight, while Holiday and Brown are both questionable. One guy who is sure to be active and ready to bring it is Payton Pritchard.
It has been fun to watch Pritchard grow from a fun, exciting talent to this season’s Sixth Man of the Year. The Oregon product averaged 14.3 points per game in the regular season and shot 40.7% from beyond the three-point line on 7.8 attempts per game. He scored 19 points in Game 1 and 14 points in Game 2.
While it has not resulted in victories, Orlando has done a nice job containing Boston’s offense. It’s held the defending champions to an average of 106 points through the opening two games after dropping 116.3 points per game in the regular season.
Tatum just missed his first career playoff game, and it seems unlikely all three of the players on the injury report will be available tonight. Look for Pritchard to see his offensive role scaled up as a result. He scored as many as 43 points in a regular season game and tallied more than 14.5 points in 40 of the 80 regular season games he played. Count on him to capitalize on some additional shot opportunities tonight.
Tyrese Haliburton Less Than 18.5 Points
The bad blood between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks has been on full display with Tyrese Haliburton right at the heart of it all. Haliburton has had a bit of a down statistical season, averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists, but he finished the regular season strong and is the engine of the Pacers’ offense. He scored 10 points in the opening playoff game and 20 in the second while dropping 12 assists in each.
Milwaukee has not been able to impose its defense the way it needs to, and must ratchet up the defensive effort tonight. Haliburton is also inconsistent as a scorer. The Iowa State product was held to less than 18.5 points in 39 of the 73 regular-season games he played this year, including three of the four matchups with the Bucks.
Milwaukee should not be viewed as a defensive juggernaut, but it has capable on-ball defenders who are not afraid to be physical. This is a matchup in which the physicality should be cranked up an additional notch, since the Bucks need to do everything possible to get a win. Expect this to throw Haliburton off his game a bit as he falls below 18.5 points tonight.
Damian Lillard More Than 23.5 Points
On the other side of the matchup, look for Damian Lillard to help the Bucks dig themselves out of a 2-0 series hole. The star guard missed the first matchup in addition to the final 14 games of the regular season, before being cleared of his blood clot issue and returning in Game 2. The rust was evident in his game as Lillard was limited to 14 points and seven assists on 4-for-13 shooting from the field and 2-for-8 from beyond the three-point arc. His 13 shot attempts were tied for the seventh-fewest shots he attempted in a game all season.
While the rust was to be expected, it is notable that Lillard logged 37 minutes of action. He did not look like the best version of himself, but these teams have been off since Tuesday. He got an extra day of rest to return to his All-Star form. Lillard averaged 24.9 points per game and scored over 23.5 points in 34 of the 58 regular season games he played.
If Milwaukee is to have any chance of winning this series, it will require a win tonight, and it will need a strong game from Lillard to do so. He has performed much better at home this season, averaging 25.6 points per game on 46.3% shooting from the field and 40.1% on three-pointers. In contrast, he has been held to 24.2 points per game on the road, shooting 42.9% from the field and 34.5% from the perimeter. Expect there to be a strong energy in the building and for Lillard to lead the charge for this Bucks team. Count on his shot volume to increase and for Lillard to deliver more than 23.5 points tonight.
Brook Lopez Less Than 13.5 Points & Rebounds
It has been a long and successful career for Brook Lopez, but age is showing its first signs of catching up with him. The 37-year-old has not moved with the same pop and has been exposed on the perimeter this season. This is especially problematic against a Pacers team loaded with young, athletic players who run the court with ease. Lopez was limited to just 21 minutes in the opening game of the series and 16 minutes in the previous game. It would not be a shock if his role is further scaled back tonight.
Lopez averaged 13 points and 5.0 rebounds per game across 31.8 minutes per game in the regular season. He finished with under 13.5 combined points and rebounds in 25 of 80 games.
With his level of opportunity shrinking, don’t expect there to be too many chances for Lopez to impact the game tonight. Take advantage by betting him to record less than 13.5 points and rebounds for the third straight playoff game. This series is simply a tough matchup for the veteran, so expect the Bucks to adjust accordingly.
Julius Randle More Than 22.5 Points & Assists
Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Anthony Edwards have garnered plenty of attention in this series, but Julius Randle has been impressive, too. He’s utilized his size and strength to standout against the Lakers’ weak frontcourt. Randle dropped 27 points, six assists and four rebounds in the previous game and will look to carry this momentum into tonight. His ability to post up and back down opponents has proved problematic for stretches and wears on opponents throughout a matchup and series.
Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game during the regular season. Los Angeles has centered their game plan on preventing Edwards from taking over. It’s had some success, but it’s also opened the door for Randle to have more of an impact. He’s benefited from the attention Edwards draws and has had more success because of it. He is one of the more polished post scorers in the NBA, a capable shooter from the perimeter, and has the playmaking skills to pick apart teams as a passer if the Lakers begin sending double-teams his way.
It has also become increasingly clear that JJ Redick lacks trust in some of his bench players. The Lakers were unable to build out a proper roster around Doncic and James due to the midseason nature of the trade, and these concerns have been evident. Doncic, James and Austin Reaves each played 40+ minutes in the previous game, while Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith each logged 34+ minutes. No other player on the roster played more than 20 minutes. Expect Randle’s physical play style to continue to wear on the Lakers. A tired Los Angeles squad will make it easier for Randle to deliver with more than 23.5 combined points and assists tonight.
Rui Hachimura More Than 1.5 Made Three-Pointers
One player who has proven his worth in this limited Lakers rotation has been Hachimura. He is averaging 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game this season, while shooting 41.3% on 4.2 three-pointers per game. Since Doncic joined the team, his three-point volume increased to 5.0 per game, and he is still connecting at a 40% rate.
Hachimura tallied more than 1.5 made three-pointers in 31 games during the regular season, including five of the final seven games. He shot 3-for-7 on three-point attempts in the opening game of the series before being limited to 0-for-2 from beyond the arc in the previous game.
Hachimura should have a better shooting night in Game 3 with so much attention given to Doncic and James. The two All-Stars are some of the best drive-and-kick creators in the league, so they will find Hachimura open for threes. Teams held Hachimura to two or fewer three-point attempts just three times since the Doncic trade. Look for a bounce-back performance tonight and for his perimeter shot volume to look more like it did in Game 1.
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!
