There are nine games on the NBA schedule tonight including some significant cross-conference battles.
Most notably, the Los Angeles Clippers will be on the second night of a back-to-back and put their stingy defense to the test against the defending champion, the Boston Celtics. Boston is already off to an impressive start to the season but will receive a boost with Kristaps Porziņģis making his return from injury for the first time. In addition, the New York Knicks will be facing off with the Denver Nuggets, the Sacramento Kings will play the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Brooklyn Nets will be tipping off against the Golden State Warriors in the late window.
While there will be more notable days of NBA basketball moving forward, there are still several 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. 25. 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.
Franz Wagner More Than 28.5 Points
Sometimes injuries can be a blessing in disguise for other players on a team. This has looked to be the case for Franz Wagner following the injury to Paolo Banchero just five games into this year. Through the first five games, Wagner averaged 17.8 points per game and attempted an average of 12.8 field goal attempts. In the 13 games since Banchero got injured, Wagner has seen his scoring output grow to 25.8 points per game and is attempting 20.5 field goal attempts.
The Michigan product has especially come on strong in recent games and has tallied more than 27.5 points in six of his past seven games. This is a great matchup for this to continue as the Hornets are allowing 115.2 points per game which ranks 23rd in the league. These two teams faced off once already this year. In that game, the Magic produced a 25-point victory in which Wagner finished with 32 points. Look for this trend to continue as Wagner continues his streak of strong play against a struggling defense. Count on him to tally more than 28.5 points for the third straight game.
Nikola Jokic More Than 28.5 Points
The Denver Nuggets are set to face off with the New York Knicks tonight. As is always the case with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic will be at the heart of this team’s production. The three-time MVP is averaging a career-high 30.3 points per game and also attempting a career-high 19.5 field goal attempts per game.
While the Knicks have a strong overall defense, Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled at times. His defensive effort is better than some of the numbers indicate, but Towns also finds himself in foul issues often. While Jokic does not prefer to operate in a score-first mindset, he has been forced to this season. He has tallied more than 28.5 points in seven of the 12 games he has played including each of the past four games. Jokic averaged 30.5 points per game against the Knicks last year and the new presence of Towns on this team actually weakens their interior defense. Look for him to remain in attack mode and record more than 28.5 points for the fifth consecutive game.
Ivica Zubac Less Than 14.5 Points
The Los Angeles Clippers are set to face off with the Boston Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back. This will be a difficult matchup for Zubac as the Celtics space the floor better than any team in the NBA. They are at their best when playing five-out basketball while Zubac is most comfortable protecting the rim on the interior. Expect the Clippers to be forced to make some lineup changes and for the veteran to see his season average of 33.4 minutes per game be reduced.
Zubac is off to a strong start to the season averaging a career-high 15.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Even with this strong output, Zubac has recorded less than 14.5 points in eight of the 18 games. While the big man can often be an advantage in playing against teams that space the floor, Al Horford is more than capable of matching up with Zubac. The Clippers’ big man has never tallied more than 16 points against Horford and averaged just 8.6 points per game against Horford in his career. Zubac will continue having a great season in the wider view, but expect this to be a matchup he struggles in and for his scoring output to end up less than 14.5 points.
Tobias Harris Less Than 7.5 Rebounds
The Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors are set to face off tonight in one of the more intriguing battles of young teams. One of the exceptions to the youthful roster is Tobias Harris. Detroit handed Harris a notable contract this summer to be a veteran presence on the roster. Harris has been mostly solid this year averaging 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
This will be a difficult matchup for Harris to impose himself on the boards. Toronto is averaging the fourth-most rebounds per game as a team this season. Harris is second on the Pistons in rebounding, but this is a matchup in which the size and athleticism of Jalen Duren are more necessary. Harris has been held to less than 7.5 rebounds in nine of the 18 games this season. He struggles when outmatched from an athleticism perspective and this will be the case tonight. Expect Harris to have his moments but ultimately record less than 7.5 rebounds tonight.
LaMelo Ball More Than 43.5 Points, Assists, & Rebounds
While the shot selection and reckless decisions still have not fully been eliminated from his game, LaMelo Ball has taken some strides forward in putting everything together this year. He is averaging 30.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game this season. Ball also has recorded more than 43.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in eight of the 16 games this season already.
The Hornets are set to face off with the Magic tonight, who are holding opponents to the fewest points per game this season. While Orlando’s defense is the real deal, Ball is coming off of a 50-point and 10 assists performance the last time he was on the court. The All-Star guard also tallied 35 points, seven assists, and six rebounds (48 combined points, rebounds, and assists) in the previous matchup with the Magic. He is at the epicenter of everything the Hornets do offensively and they will need a strong performance from him if they want to win. Expect Ball to come out letting it fly while also making an impact as a playmaker and on the glass. Look for his trend of strong play to continue and for Ball to record more than 43.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists again tonight.
Cam Thomas More Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
After entering the season with zero expectations, the outlook has changed for the Brooklyn Nets. They currently hold a 7-10 record which puts them in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. Cam Thomas has been a driving reason for this and has put things together as a more complete basketball player this season. Thomas is averaging 24.8 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds which each mark a career-high for the LSU product.
Looking at his three-point production, Thomas is launching 7.9 three-point attempts per game and connecting at a 38.7% rate. This comes out to an average of 2.9 made three-pointers per game. He has connected on more than 2.5 made three-pointers in eight of the 16 games so far this season. The Nets are set to face off with the Warriors tonight who rank fourth in the league in three-point attempts. Brooklyn will need to match this level of volume and Thomas is the top candidate to step up. Look for this to be a conscious effort and for Thomas to get up double-digit three-point attempts for the fifth time this season. Be confident in his ability to connect with more than 2.5 of these attempts and continue being the offensive lifeblood of the team.
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.
