With Christmas unofficially launching the NBA season into center stage, buckle up for the main stretch of the 2024-25 season. Eight games will take place tonight, including several stars from the Christmas slate returning to the floor.
Tipping off at 7 p.m. ET, the Knicks and Magic will start the night in an Eastern Conference clash. The Pacers will travel to face the Celtics while Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets in the 7:30 p.m. ET window.
The Rockets will host the Timberwolves while the Pelicans face the Grizzlies at 8 p.m. ET. At 9 p.m. ET, the Nuggets will host the Cavaliers while the Mavericks travel to face the Suns. Finally, the Warriors face the Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.
Each of these matchups has the potential to be an exciting game as the NBA season starts to hit its full stride. There are 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 December 27th. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my six favorite plays for Friday night’s action.
Michael Porter Jr Less Than 18.5 Points
While Nikola Jokic continues to play at an MVP level, Denver has struggled to get any sort of consistent production from their supporting cast. Jamal Murry and Michael Porter Jr headline the inconsistency with each of these supposed co-stars falling short of expectations this season. Porter Jr is averaging 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year.
Looking at tonight’s matchup, the Nuggets are set to face off with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season and hold the best record in the league. Cleveland ranks ninth in opponents’ points per game, seventh in defensive efficiency, and sixth in opponents’ shooting percentages. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen patrol the paint and serve as defensive anchors for the team. This allows the rest of the roster to take gambles on the perimeter to create turnovers. Opposing small forwards are attempting the third-fewest three-point attempts per game when facing the Cavaliers this season. In addition, Denver ranks dead last in three-point attempts as a team.
Looking at the season overall, Porter Jr has been held to less than 18.5 points in 14 of the 28 games. While he is coming off back-to-back games with at least 22 points, Porter Jr was held to less than 18.5 points in the previous four games played. With Cleveland showing flashes of being one of the best defenses in the NFL, look for them to assert themselves and for Porter Jr to be held to less than 14.5 points for the 15th time this season.
Jaylen Wells More Than 10.5 Points
Despite the buzz about what a poor draft class this year’s rookies were labeled, the Memphis Grizzlies managed to walk away with two players capable of making a year-one playoff impact on draft night. Zach Edey heard his name called earlier on in the night, but Jaylen Wells has built up a legitimate Rookie of the Year case for himself in recent weeks.
So far this season, Wells is averaging 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He has started in 26 of the 31 games he has played and made the most of his opportunity during the Girzzlies shorthanded stretch. Wells has scored more than 10.5 points in seven of the past 13 games and 17 of 31 games overall this season.
Memphis is set to face off with the New Orleans Pelicans tonight who are one of the few teams in the NBA to have worse injury luck than themselves. This should be an up-tempo matchup as the Pelicans rank seventh in the NBA in pace over the past 15 games while the Grizzlies lead the league in this category on the season. The Grizzlies also lead in the league in offensive rebounds over the past five games which is another key avenue to additional offensive opportunities. Expect this up-tempo style of play to benefit the 21-year-old and for Wells to continue to be active in the offense. Count on him to continue showing his importance to this Grizzlies team and for Wells to record more than 10.5 points for the 18th time this season in what should be an up-tempo matchup.
Victor Wembanyama More Than 35.5 Points & Rebounds
It is only a matter of time until the NBA world becomes dominated by Victor Wembanyama. Last year’s number-one overall pick is living up to the hype and producing some of the most unique statistical outputs we have ever seen. Wembanyama put his talent on full display during the Christmas Day matchup with the Knicks as he finished with 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks.
While the additional audience due to the stage helped give Wembanyama a little more attention, he has been getting it done all season. Looking at his averages, the Frenchman is producing 25.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and an NBA-best 4.0 blocks per game. Wembanyama and the Spurs remain on the East Coast following the matchup with the Knicks and will take on the Nets tonight. Brooklyn ranks 18th in opponents’ points per game, 23rd in defensive efficiency, 30th in opponents’ field goal percentage, and 30th in total rebounds.
Overall, Wembanyama has recorded more than 35.5 combined points and rebounds in 11 of the 25 games. This includes three of the past four games. The switch seems to have flipped for Wembanyama as he continues to operate in attack mode and play the game with increased aggression. Expect him to continue building against a struggling Nets team and for the Spurs to leap at the chance for another victory. Count on Wembanyama leading the charge and for him to record more than 35.5 points and rebounds for the fourth time in the past five games.
Myles Turner More Than 1.5 Made Three-Pointers
It has been a frustrating start to the season for the Indiana Pacers. They hold a 15-16 record and have a tough matchup with the defending champion Boston Celtics tonight. Tyrese Haliburton has produced some concerning levels of play and it has limited the team’s chances in a major way. They will attempt to right the ship against a Celtics team which have looked vulnerable in recent games including their most recent loss to the Sixers on Christmas.
The biggest storyline to note when matching up with the Celtics is the difference in three-point volume. Boston leads the NBA in three-point attempts this season with an average of 50.4 long-range shots per game. For reference, the Chicago Bulls are second in this category with 44.0 three-point attempts per game with the Hornets and Warriors being the only other teams to attempt more than 40 long-range shots per game. Indiana ranks 25th in this category with 34.1 three-point attempts per game. Trading two points for three points is a losing strategy when facing the Celtics and the Pacers must adjust accordingly.
While Haliburton leads the charge in their perimeter attack, attempting 8.4 long-range shots per game, Myles Turner is second on the roster with 5.1 three-point attempts per game. Turner has connected on 39.9% of these attempts which comes out to an average of 2.0 made three-pointers per game. He has recorded more than 1.5 made three-pointers in 16 of the 29 games he has played in this year. Expect him to see an increase in volume on the perimeter and for Turner to knock down more than 1.5 made three-pointers against the defending champions.
Tyrese Haliburton Less Than 29.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
Last season seemed to mark Tyrese Haliburton’s breakout. The Pacers guard averaged 20.1 points, led the NBA with 10.9 assists, and added 3.9 rebounds per game. Haliburton earned his way to All-Star and All-NBA honors while the Pacers made their way to the Eastern Conference Finals as a team. Unfortunately, Haliburton has taken a step back in his production this season. His averages have dropped to 17.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting a career-worst from the field and beyond the three-point arc.
Just last night against the Thunder, Haliburton was held to four points, eight assists, and two rebounds. He has been held to less than 29.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in 18 of the 29 games this season. Oklahoma City showed the blueprint for how to slow him down last night and Boston has the personnel to execute this same plan. The Celtics rank seventh in opponents’ points per game, seventh in defensive efficiency, and fifth in opponents’ assists per game.
Expect the Celtics to play with some urgency as they are coming off a Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and have dropped three of their past four games. There will be a focused defensive effort from them tonight and expect this to start with a concentrated effort to limit Tyrese Haliburton’s output. The Pacers star has not been able to consistently put it together this season and this will continue tonight as he is held to less than 29.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists.
Buddy Hield More Than 10.5 Points
One of the more notable off-season additions for the Warriors was Buddy Hield. The 32-year-old is averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game and is one of the only players to have a similar three-point output to Steph Curry during their careers. Hield has recorded more than 10.5 points in 18 of the 29 games he has played this season including two of the past three games.
Golden State is set to match up with the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. While the Clippers have leaned more on their defensive identity this season, they have some weaknesses that Hield and the Warriors are built to exploit. Opposing shooting guards are making an average of 2.6 three-pointers per game against the Clippers which is the eighth-worst rate in the league. They are 12th in opponents’ three-point attempts overall this season. 67.6% of Hield’s shot attempts have come from beyond the three-point arc this season and these opportunities will be prevalent in this matchup. In addition, the Clippers rank fourth in the NBA in pace over the past five games while the Warriors rank seventh in this category this season when playing on the road. Golden State also ranks fifth in offensive rebounds which provides another route for additional offensive opportunities.
The Warriors are still desperately searching for reliable sources of offense outside of Steph Curry. With Los Angeles showing vulnerabilities in defending the perimeter and this being Heild’s primary area of attack, expect him to make an impact tonight. He has recorded less than 10.5 points in the two matchups with the Clippers earlier this year. However, Heild shot an uncharacteristic 6-21 (28.6%) from the field and 3-15 (20.0%) from beyond the three-point arc in these two games. Brush these off as outlier shooting splits and count on a better performance from Hield against the Clippers 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.
