The NBA Cup will continue today with eight games of NBA action on the slate. Teams will be suiting up for their second or third matchup of the NBA Cup and we are roughly 20% through the NBA season as a whole.
Most notably, the Philadelphia 76ers will begin to attempt to climb out of their 2-11 hole and face the Brooklyn Nets. In addition, the Milwaukee Bucks will play the Indiana Pacers, the Golden State Warriors will face the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Dallas Mavericks will be squaring off against the Denver Nuggets. The final game on the NBA slate will be between the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.
There are plenty of options for what to watch and even more opportunities to get involved in the action. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Basketball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for Nov. 22. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my six favorite plays for Monday night’s action.
Giannis Antetokounmpo More Than 32.5 Points
The Milwaukee Bucks will square off with the Indiana Pacers with both teams entering with a 6-9 record on the season. While the Bucks have struggled greatly as a team, Antetokounmpo is off to an excellent start to the season. The former MVP is leading the NBA in scoring at 32.1 points per game and is shooting 61% from the field on 21.4 shot attempts per game.
Indiana struggles defensively and ranks 25th in the league in opponents’ points per game. They are an offensive-minded team who prefer to play at an up-tempo pace. This will cause some issues in this matchup as Antetokounmpo excels when he can attack in transition. So far this season the Bucks’ superstar is leading the entire NBA with 8.8 points per game in transition and producing 1.25 points per possession in these opportunities.
While it is frustrating how much continues to be put on his plate, the Milwaukee Bucks go as Giannis Antetokounmpo goes. Look for him to be in attack mode right from the opening tip and benefit from the increased pace of play. His combination of size and athleticism is nearly impossible to match and the Pacers will find this out rather quickly again tonight.
Zach LaVine More Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
The Chicago Bulls are set to face off with the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Both these teams sit in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference with unclear paths for their full future. Zach LaVine continues to headline things for the Bulls and has provided the rest of the NBA with a reminder of how good he can be. So far this season he has averaged 22.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while knocking down 3.2 made three-pointers per game.
Overall, LaVine is shooting 43.2% on three-pointers and attempting 7.3 long-range shots per game. He has knocked down three or more three-pointers in seven of the 13 games he has played and made 11 three-pointers across the past two games.
On top of things, the Atlanta Hawks rank dead-last in opponent three-point percentage. They are allowing teams to shoot 39.2% from beyond the arc. Outside of Dyson Daniels, the team struggles to defend the perimeter and LaVine’s off-ball movement will especially present issues. Look for him not to knock down more than 2.5 three-pointers in this matchup for the eighth time this season and build off his impressive start.
Bennedict Mathurin More Than 18.5 Points
While Tyrese Haliburton remains the centerpiece of the Pacers’ franchise, Bennedict Mathurin impacts the franchise’s ceiling more than is recognized. Indiana seems to be realizing this themselves and plugged the former sixth-overall pick into the starting lineup. Mathurin came off the bench for the first five games and has started the past 10.
On the season as a whole, Mathurin has averaged 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 52.8% from the field and 47.4% from beyond the arc in 30.8 minutes per game. Looking just at the past 10 games as a starter, Mathurin has produced 20.3 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 51.9% from the field and 51.3% on three-point attempts. His field goal attempts have also increased from 9.0 per game over the first five games to 13.1 in his 10 games as a starter.
The numbers have still not quite caught up to Mathurin’s level of opportunity. He has recorded more than 18.5 points in six of his past eight games including recording as many as 38 points during this time. Milwaukee does not possess the level of perimeter defenders to keep Mathurin in check and his successes should be expected to continue tonight. Look for him to record more than 18.5 points once again.
Jalen Johnson Less Than 9.5 Rebounds
Jalen Johnson has been the story of the season for the Atlanta Hawks. So far this season, the 22-year-old has averaged 19.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game and looks like a potential foundational piece of the franchise. While there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Johnson moving forward, his rebounding number tonight is not one of them.
While the rebounding numbers have been strong overall, Johnson has been held to less than 9.5 rebounds in seven of the 15 games he has played. He also was limited to just six rebounds in the previous matchup with the Bulls this season. Johnson has been held to fewer than six rebounds in two other games.
Atlanta is the eighth-best rebounding team so far this season while Chicago sits at 13th as a team. Expect Nikola Vucevic to control the rebounding primarily in this matchup and for Johnson to fail to impose himself on the glass in the way he has in previous games. His rebounding output has been higher than expected this season and this number may slip as the season progresses. Expect this to start tonight and for Johnson to record less than 9.5 boards.
Sam Hauser More Than 12.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
The Boston Celtics are set to face off against the Washington Wizards tonight and there is blowout potential in the air. Boston ranks fourth in the NBA in margin of victory with a +9.7 average point differential. The Celtics enter with a 12-3 record looking to potentially be on the pathway to repeat while the Wizards sit at 2-11 and the worst point differential in the world at an average of -14.8 per game. No other team has more than -11.9. They also have faced off already this season with Boston winning by 20 points.
Sam Hauser is a player who will see some playing time regardless, but a blowout would open the door for expanded opportunity. So far this season Hauser is averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He has recorded more than 12.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in seven of the 12 games he has played in.
Hauser was inactive for the previous 20-point victory over the Wizards but the same level of opportunity is there. He is more than just a shooter and will be looking to make the most of the opportunity, especially if his minutes get expanded. Look for him to record more than 12.5 points, rebounds, and assists once again, and don’t be surprised if he clocks his most minutes in a game so far this season.
Nic Claxton More Than 8.5 Rebounds
The Brooklyn Nets are set to face off with the Philadelphia 76ers and are quietly playing some really solid basketball. The Nets sit at 6-9 and have been far more competitive than the 2-12 Sixers they will be facing. Nic Claxton carried a questionable tag coming into the day but has been upgraded to probable and looks on track to play.
So far this season, Nic Claxton has averaged 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He has recorded more than 8.5 rebounds in five of the 11 games he has played. This is a great opportunity for Claxton to add to this total. The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets rank 29th and 30th in rebounding overall this season across the NBA. But Philadelphia has especially struggled when facing lengthy athletic big men which Claxton fits the description of. These teams faced off four times last season with Claxton recording more than 8.5 rebounds in three of these games.
Expect Claxton’s activity, size, and athleticism to cause issues against this version of Joel Embiid, who looks significantly worse than he did last season. Claxton has had his battles with Embiid in the past and he is returning from a three-game absence with fresh legs. Look for him to impose himself rebounding the basketball and record more than 8.5 rebounds tonight.
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!
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
