Ten games are on tonight’s NBA slate after a relatively quiet weekend. This is a unique slate with an emphasis on the late window of games as five matchups will be starting at 10:00 p.m. ET or later.
To kick off the night, the New York Knicks will host the Miami Heat in the lone matchup starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. A half-hour later, the Rockets will host the 76ers, the Pistons will play the Pelicans, and the Pacers will face the Timberwovles. Then, at 9:00 p.m. ET, the Chicago Bulls will take on the Utah Jazz.
Flash forward to the late window and four games will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET. This includes the Warriors hosting the Nuggets, the Raptors taking on the Suns, the Grizzlies facing the Kings, and the Wizards traveling to play the Trail Blazers. The final matchup will tip off at 10: 30 p.m. ET, which will take place between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.
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 action on March 17. You simply choose whether each set statistic will be more or less than the number set. With the stage set, here are my favorite picks across the 10-game slate.
Mikal Bridges More Than 25.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
Jalen Brunson remains sidelined with his sprained ankle, which has changed the roles of the rest of this Knicks team. Mikal Bridges has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this and has seen his role grow in a major way. On the season overall, Bridges is averaging 17.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Across the past four games since Brunson got hurt, Bridges is averaging 22.3 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. He has recorded more than 25.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in all four of these games.
New York will take on the Miami Heat, who enter on a seven-game losing streak and have looked helpless as of late. The Knicks cannot afford to let opportunities for wins slip away with the playoff seedings beginning to become clear. Bridges has logged some of the most minutes in the league all season, but his role has shifted greatly without Brunson. The lack of on-ball opportunities for Bridges has been one of the bigger frustrations surrounding the Knicks this season and this stretch could be eye-opening for further unlocking the offense moving forward.
Look for the Villanova product to continue playing in attack mode and make the most of his increased opportunity. He has logged more than 25.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in each of the past four games without Brunson, so expect him to continue building off this by doing the same tonight against a struggling opponent.
Duncan Robinson Less Than 2.5 Made Three-Pointers
The panic button should officially be being pressed down in Miami. The Heat have dropped to 29-38 on the season, which puts them in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. They are 4-14 since the Jimmy Butler trade and have looked lifeless on the floor over the past few weeks. Coach Erik Spoelstra continues to search for answers, but don’t expect Duncan Robinson to be one he settles on.
On the season, Robinson is averaging 11.0 points, 2.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. He is shooting 38.5% from beyond the three-point arc on 6.6 perimeter shots per game. This comes out to an average of 2.5 made three-pointers per game and he has connected on more than that in 28 of the 64 games he has played. Miami will play the Knicks tonight who rank 12th in opponent points per game, eighth in opponent three-point attempts and 28th in opponent three-point percentage.
Robinson’s level of opportunity varies on a night-to-night basis. In Miami’s last game, Robinson was limited to 13:17 of game time and he shot 0-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc. He was also held to 13:54 of game time during one of the two matchups with the Knicks this season and has been held to less than 2.5 made three-pointers in both matchups. Expect him to be limited in his chances tonight and be held to less than 2.5 made three-pointers for the 37th time this season as Miami leans on a more defensive-minded approach.
Fred VanVleet More Than 5.5 Assists
The Houston Rockets have a case for one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA and they currently sit in second place in the Western Conference with their 43-25 record. Fred VanVleet has been an important veteran presence on the youthful roster with his level of impact being especially evident during the stretches he has missed due to injury. On the season, VanVleet is averaging 14.3 points, 5.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 34.2% from beyond the three-point arc.
While his shotmaking and defense are also important to acknowledge, VanVleet’s ability to serve as the primary playmaker is where he is most valuable. The Rockets still have some questions to answer about their late-game offense and what their go-to sets are to create buckets when the defensive intensity goes up another notch. VanVleet is the most calming presence on the court and will be asked to serve as the primary playmaker in crunch time.
VanVleet is averaging 5.7 assists per game and he recorded more than 5.5 assists in 24 of the 49 games he has played. He is coming off a seven-assist performance in his previous game and faces a Philadelphia team that ranks 24th in assists allowed, 30th in opponent field-goal percentage and 27th in opponent three-point percentage. The Sixers are sloppy in their rotations and will roll out a roster without just about any continuity with each other. Expect VanVleet to punish them by having success creating for others and recording more than 5.5 assists for the 25th time this season.
Zion Williamson Less Than 23.5 Points
Injuries have been the story of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans. The season was over before it started with notable injuries occurring to each of their biggest stars on a roster that, on paper, measures up with contenders. Zion Williamson has suited up for just 28 games this season and he is listed as questionable for tonight for personal reasons.
When he has been on the court, Zion has been nothing short of awesome. He is averaging 24.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists across his 28.5 minutes per game. However, New Orleans has been extremely calculated in limiting his minutes on the floor. This is to protect Williamson from a physical standpoint as injuries have been what have derailed his career as well as the Pelicans’ outlook in the standings with lottery odds in mind.
Even with his strong play, Williamson has been held to less than 23.5 points in 14 of the 28 games. This includes each of the past four games he has played. New Orleans will face off with the Detroit Pistons tonight who have found their identity as a tough defensive team that buckles up for war every night. They have a loaded frontcourt and are sure to throw multiple defensive looks at Williamson throughout the game. Expect the Pelicans to be careful with how many opportunities they allow Williamson to be on the floor and for the Duke product to be bothered by the Pistons’ defense. Count on him being held to less than 23.5 points for the fifth straight game as Detroit continues to make a statement with its play.
Tobias Harris More Than 5.5 Rebounds
Part of the recent success for the Detroit Pistons has to be credited to the addition of Tobias Harris. The 32-year-old was brought in as a win-now move to add to their youthful roster. Harris is averaging 14.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in addition to the leadership he has provided. Detroit has climbed to sixth in the Eastern Conference with its 37-31 record.
While injuries are an obvious reason why, New Orleans ranks 26th in opponent points per game, 28th in opponent rebounds allowed and 21st in total team rebounds. Zion Williamson, Yves Missi and Kelly Olynyk are all also listed as questionable, which would further open the door for a strong Harris rebounding performance tonight.
Over the past six games, Harris has averaged 8.5 rebounds per game and recorded more than 5.5 rebounds in each of these. He has logged more than 5.5 rebounds in 34 of the 64 games he has played this season and in 17 of the 29 games since Jaden Ivey’s season ended due to injury. Look for Harris to continue asserting himself and rebounding the ball at a high level. Look for him to log more than 5.5 rebounds for the seventh straight game as Detroit continues to loom as a dark-horse playoff threat.
Luka Doncic More Than 9.5 Rebounds
The final matchup of tonight’s slate will take place between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. This game has lost some luster with LeBron James remaining out while Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox have been shut down for the season. This will be the second night of a back-to-back for the Lakers after defeating the Phoenix Suns yesterday. Luka Doncic continues to settle in with his new team and has been asked to take on even more responsibility with LeBron James sidelined.
One area where this has especially stood out has been in Doncic’s rebounding. Los Angeles’ weakness on the interior is notable and could end up sinking its season. Doncic has done an impressive job helping to cover this up lately. Across his 14 games with the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 8.8 rebounds per game and has recorded more than 9.5 rebounds in seven of these games. This includes each of the past three matchups.
The outlook for San Antonio changed completely when Wembanyama was shut down for the season. With Fox joining him on this list only piling onto the outlook, the rest of the youthful roster will now limp to the finish line. Over the past month, San Antonio is allowing the fifth-most rebounds per game to opponents. Doncic faced off with the Spurs twice already this season and tallied more than 9.5 rebounds in one of those two matchups while Wembanyama was still healthy. Doncic’s importance on the boards has grown with his new team while the Spurs have gotten weaker in their outlook due to injury. Look for Doncic to continue imposing himself on the boards and tally more than 9.5 rebounds for the fourth straight game and eighth time in a Lakers uniform.
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!
