Only one NBA playoff matchup is on tap tonight: Thunder vs. Nuggets. Denver jumped out to a 2-1 lead in this series, only for OKC to reel off two straight wins. Now, the two sides will meet once again for a crucial Game 6. Can Nikola Jokic and company force another meeting, or will Oklahoma City advance to the Western Conference Finals?There’s several ways to get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball selections before tonight’s contest!
Jamal Murray more than 21.5 points
Nothing has come easy for the Nuggets on offense in this series. That’s not a shock; the Thunder have held opponents to the third-fewest points per game this season (107.1). Still, Denver has a championship pedigree; expect more points tonight in front of a raucous home crowd. Obviously, any scoring attack starts and ends with Nikola Jokic. However, he’s not the only proven difference-maker for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray has enjoyed a solid, albeit unspectacular, postseason. Over his last five games, the guard has averaged 21.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Murray has gained a reputation as a big-game performer, and for good reason. The former champion has seen just about everything in the playoffs over his eight-year career. In this second round series, the Canadian has scored more than 21 points only twice. However, he’s only shooting 39.5% from the field. At home in Colorado, marginally better efficiency should deliver a quality stat line for Murray tonight.
Jalen Williams more than 4.5 assists
Playing next to MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s easy to forget about what Jalen Williams brings to the Thunder. The 24-year-old is a true jack of all trades, capable of doing a little bit of everything at any position on the court. That’s carried over into the postseason, where J-Dub has posted 20.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. In this series, the wing has recorded more than 18 points only once, in Game 3 (32 pts.).
As good as Williams is, Denver’s defense has done an admirable job at slowing down his scoring. Still, Oklahoma City’s second-best player is too talented not to make an impact on tonight’s matchup. This season, the Nuggets have allowed 28.6 assists per game to opponents, tied for the third-most in basketball. Williams has tallied five or more dimes in seven of his nine appearances this postseason. Expect more of the same for the All-Star on Thursday.
Nikola Jokic less than 8.5 assists
Jokic is truly ‘the straw that stirs the drink’ in Denver. The three-time MVP has been unstoppable in the Western Conference semifinals, carving up a formidable Oklahoma City defense. During his last five games, the center has produced 30.0 points, 14.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 45.3% from the field. Most recently, he delivered a monstrous 42-point, 15-rebound performance on Tuesday. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, it wasn’t enough to avoid their second straight defeat.
A recurring theme of this series is a lack of help surrounding the Joker. Other than Murray and Aaron Gordon, it’s been inconsistent production at best from Denver’s roster. That’s carried over into Jokic’s numbers; the gifted passer hasn’t recorded more than six assists in a game during the second round. In a do-or-die Game 6, the Serbian will likely take it upon himself to carry the Nuggets on offense. If Jokic plays a more selfish brand of basketball tonight, it’s unlikely he flirts with nine assists.
Alex Caruso more than 1.5 three-pointers made
On a youthful Thunder roster, Alex Caruso has proven to be invaluable. The former NBA champion has been as reliable as they come off the bench for head coach Mark Daigneault. Through ten games this postseason, the guard has averaged 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Most impressive has been the veteran’s efficiency, knocking down 42.5% of his shots from three-point range during that time.
Known more for his defensive skills, Caruso has been an offensive weapon during the Western Conference semifinals. Look no further than Game 1, in which he provided 20 points and six assists (along with five steals). The 31-year-old has knocked down at least two three-pointers in all but one game of this series vs. Denver. It’s not a shock, considering the Nuggets allowed the 11th-most treys per game this season (13.9). In tonight’s pivotal showdown, look for OKC to feed the hot hand from beyond the arc.
Aaron Gordon more than 6.5 rebounds
It’s been an eventful month for Aaron Gordon. The power forward is responsible for not just one, but two playoff game-winners. Last week against the Thunder, AG knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer, giving Denver a Game 1 victory. In addition to scoring, the 29-year-old has made his presence felt as a rebounder. Over 12 appearances this postseason, Gordon has generated 7.3 boards. That’s proven invaluable for a Nuggets team lacking size outside of Nikola Jokic.
If there’s any weakness on a 68-win Thunder squad, it’s rebounding. Opponents have snagged 54.3 boards per game against Oklahoma City this season, the third-highest mark in basketball. In three of five outings in this series, Gordon has grabbed at least eight rebounds; two of those came in Denver. Playing at home, the two-way force should make a significant impact on the glass tonight.
Luguentz Dort more than 12.5 points + rebounds
If any player best embodies the Thunder, it’s Lu Dort. Capable of guarding almost any player on the court, Oklahoma City’s three-and-D specialist is the perfect complimentary piece. On a roster this deep, it’s difficult for anyone other than Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams to consistently produce. Keeping that in mind, Dort’s struggles in this series aren’t shocking. Over his last five games, the Canadian has averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 32.6% from the field. However, he has managed to record 13 points + rebounds in three of those contests.
Ghastly efficiency has made it difficult for fantasy basketball managers to trust Dort. Still, the veteran has carved out a solid role for himself in this offense. Since Game 1 against Denver, the wing has taken a combined 46 shots. Of those field goal attempts, 40 have come from three-point range. The Nuggets aren’t a defensive juggernaut, allowing the ninth-most points to opponents this season (116.1). If Dort keeps firing away, along with a handful of boards, he should deliver a solid performance tonight.
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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