We have more playoff basketball underway tonight as the Magic try to put away the Pistons at 7 PM EST. The Raptors will visit the Cavaliers at 7:30 PM for a pivotal Game 5 with the series tied 2-2, and the Rockets will try to survive their trip to LA while being down 3-1 at 10 PM.
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 tonight’s slate. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my favorite plays for tonight’s action.
Paolo Banchero Less Than 21.5 Points
Banchero’s scoring has been muted this series, which sounds odd to say for the Magic’s leading scorer who has put up 21 PPG in four games with a commanding 3-1 lead against the first seeded Pistons. And he’s largely got to this number through volume, taking 16.7 FGA. His inefficiency has been tough to watch, with Banchero shooting only 37.3% from the floor and 26.7% from beyond the arc. Luckily for the Magic, Banchero has been contributing enough on defense, forcing turnovers and helping clamp Jalen Duren. Tonight he’ll probably have another ugly shooting night and end up with Less than 21.5 points, but it won’t matter, because Banchero’s shooting isn’t necessary for the Magic’s game plan. They’ll continue forcing turnovers, using Banchero’s size to pressure the rim, and enabling Desmond Bane, who’s been a touch more efficient than Paolo.
James Harden Less Than 20.5 Points
James Harden has now been held in check by Toronto for two straight games. Harden started the series hot with 22 and 28 point games, but has fallen under 20 points in his last two. He’s still been efficient overall for this series, hitting 47.5% from the field, but his scoring has waned as this series has extended. The Raptors shifted Scottie Barnes onto Harden while switching heavily to deny Harden his pick and roll with Jarrett Allen. Furthermore, when Harden’s shot diet turns into tough pull ups and late-clock step backs, it’s not great for his efficiency. If Toronto can continue dissuading Harden from scoring with his floaters and layups after the pick and roll with Allen, he’ll have trouble reaching 20.5 points unless he goes nuclear from three or takes 10+ trips to the line.
Alperen Sengun More Than 22.5 Points
Sengun’s case is pretty clear tonight with Kevin Durant already ruled out. Durant’s absence pushes more responsibility onto Sengun as both a scorer and decision maker. Despite the late-game meltdown, we all saw what Sengun’s capable of in this role in Game 3, where he went off for a massive 33 points and 16 rebounds on 55% shooting from the floor. The Lakers have also shown that they’ll play him physically, as evidenced by Deandre Ayton’s ejection due to a Flagrant 2 in Game 4. Their physicality could send Sengun to the line too many times.
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!
