It is a busy day in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder headlining the eight-game slate. This matchup will be between the top two teams in each conference and they enter on ten- and 15-game winning streaks which is the first time in NBA history this has happened.
In addition, the Indiana Pacers will play the Chicago Bulls while the Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Washington Wizards in the early slate. A half-hour later, the New York Knicks will host the Toronto Raptors and the Detroit Pistons will travel to face the Brooklyn Nets. The final three games will be between the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans, the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, and the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.
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 January 8th. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my six favorite plays for Wednesday night’s action.
Kelly Oubre Jr More Than 17.5 Points
Buckle up for one of the uglier matchups on the NBA slate. Injuries will be the story of this matchup as Joel Embiid, Paul George, Jared McCain, Jordan Poole, Malcolm Brogdon, and possibly Kyle Kuzma will each be missing this game due to various ailments. Regardless, the game must be played and someone has to score the basketball. Look directly toward Kelly Oubre Jr to fill this role.
On the season Oubre is averaging 13.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while starting 28 of the 31 games. Most recently, Oubre dropped 26 points and 11 rebounds in Monday’s loss to the Suns. He missed the previous two games before this matchup with a wrist injury but returned with a notable energy level. With the Sixers set to be without three of the top four scorers, look for Oubre to step up in the offensive pecking order.
In addition, the Wizards rank dead last in the NBA in points allowed and hold the worst overall record in the league. There is a case to be made they are in an even worse injury spot than the Sixers. Oubre has averaged 15.6 points per game in matchups without Paul George and 15.0 points per game without Joel Embiid this season. With both stars out, look for Oubre to record more than 17.5 points for the eighth time this season.
Russell Westbrook More Than 25.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
The Denver Nuggets will be suiting up for the second night of a back-to-back and take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. They suffered a 12-point loss at the hands of the defending champion Celtics in which Nikola Jokic did not suit up last night. Jokic was ruled out shortly before tip-off with an illness after being listed as questionable for most of the day. His status will be one to monitor leading up until tonight’s matchup but it was not an overly optimistic tune from Michael Malone when he spoke to the media postgame.
Russell Westbrook stepped up in a major way in the absence of the three-time MVP. Westbrook finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Even if Jokic does play, Westbrook has carved out a nice role for himself in the Nuggets rotation and has a chance at a great game. Effort is never a question for Westbrook, and expect this to especially be the case as he faces his former team.
Westbrook is averaging 12.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds across 27 minutes per game on the season overall. In his past 12 games, Westbrook is averaging 15.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.6 rebounds. He has recorded more than 25.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in 13 games this year. Los Angeles is a tough defensive-minded team, but expect Westbrook impact to be heavily felt and for him to record more than 25.5 combined points, rebounds and assists tonight.
Darius Garland Less Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
All eyes are set to be on the matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. People continue to look at the Cavaliers with skepticism despite them being on pace to win 70+ games this year and holding the league’s best record from start to finish. Darius Garland has been a driving reason for their success. He is having a bounce-back year averaging 20.5 points, 6.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds. His shooting splits have returned to form with Garland shooting a career-best 49.5% from the field and 43.1% on three-point attempts.
With all that said, expect Oklahoma City’s defense to be the story of tonight’s game. They are holding opponents to the fewest points per game, the worst field goal percentage, and the worst three-point percentage in the entire NBA. On Sunday, the Thunder held the defending champion Boston Celtics to just 27 points in the second half, by far the lowest output of their season. Clevealnd’s offense has been terrific this season, but expect players like Lu Dort and Cason Wallace to assert themselves.
Garland is having an excellent year and is averaging 2.9 made three-pointers per game. But expect him to struggle tonight with the Thunder’s defense imposing themselves. He has been held to less than 2.5 made three-pointers in 16 of the 34 games he has played including two of the past three games. Points will be more difficult to come by for Garland and the Cavaliers overall. Count on him being held to less than 2.5 made three-pointers in what could shake out to be an NBA Championship preview.
Guerschon Yabusele More Than 21.5 Points & Rebounds
Another player set to benefit from the shorthanded outlook for the Sixers is Guerschon Yabusele. While Philadelphia has been a disaster from just about all angles this year, Yabusele has consistently been a bright spot. He is the only member of the Sixers to have played all 34 games thus far and is averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.
The Olympic standout has flashed the ability to play and power forward or center spot and will be in line to log starter’s minutes tonight. He has been in the starting lineup in 13 games so far this season. Yabusele has flashed his ability to shoot from the perimeter and is connecting on 38.5% of his three-point attempts while launching 3.8 perimeter attempts per game. He also is extremely active on the boards, particularly on the offensive end, and has a craftiness to his game that will stand out against the youthful Wizards.
Don’t be shocked if tonight ends up as Yabusele’s best statistical output of the season. He has continually gained the trust of Nick Nurse, will have more opportunities due to the team’s injuries, and is facing the NBA’s worst-scoring defense. Expect him to be at the forefront of the Sixers’ production and record more than 21.5 combined points and rebounds for the fifth time this season.
Jarrett Allen Less Than 10.5 Rebounds
There are plenty of reasons for the Cavaliers’ success this season but Jarrett Allen deserves his flowers. The former all-star is averaging 13.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Playing alongside Evan Mobley, Allen has played a significant role in controlling the paint and playing a key role in team success. However, this will be a difficult matchup against the Thunder who enter having won 15 consecutive games.
Overall this year, Allen has been held to less than 10.5 rebounds in 18 of the 32 games he has played. Rebounding has been a weakness for the Thunder but this changed with the return of Isaiah Hartenstein. After ranking dead last in rebounding for most of the beginning of the season, they have climbed to 18th in the league. Over the 20-game period that Hartenstein has played, the Thunder rank 13th in the league in rebounds per game.
Expect it to be a battle for rebounds tonight and for Allen to fail to impose himself the way he has shown capable of this year. He has recorded less than 10.5 rebounds in seven of the last nine games including against a far less talented team than the Thunder. Look for this trend to continue as this game becomes a battle and for Hartenstein and Allen to make every missed shot a fight. Ultimately, count on Allen being held to less than 10.5 rebounds for the eighth time in the past ten games.
Zach LaVine More Than 24.5 Points
While he has become much more well known the continual trade rumors surrounding him than his on-court play, Zach LaVine is quietly in the midst of a really solid season. The two-time all-star is averaging 23.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. LaVine has been especially impressive in recent games. Across the past 11 games he has played, he is averaging 26.5 points and has shot 48.8% on three-point attempts.
The 29-year-old has an excellent opportunity to continue building off this as the Bulls take on the Indiana Pacers tonight. Indiana has struggled this season and ranks 22nd in opponents’ points per game. They also rank 20th in opponent three-point percentage and 24th in overall field goal percentage. Chicago has had some defensive issues themselves and this game has the makings of becoming a shootout.
LaVine has recorded more than 24.5 points in 15 of the 31 games this year and four of the last five games. He enters this matchup having scored 30+ points in three consecutive games and the Pacers do not have the defensive resistance to stop him if LaVine plays his best. Expect him to build off this stretch of strong performances and for the Bulls star to record more than 24.5 points again 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.
