Five games between ten teams are set to tip off on a busy Thursday across the NBA. The biggest matchup to watch is a meeting in Los Angeles between Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks and Luka Doncic’s Lakers. There’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball selections before tonight’s contests!
Mikal Bridges more than 16.5 points
An elite Knicks offense has taken a hit without Jalen Brunson, currently injured due to an ankle sprain. Still, New York has several playmakers capable of stepping up in the All-Star’s absence. Center Karl-Anthony Towns is a walking 30-point threat, but he’s also someone defenses will double team. That should leave Mikal Bridges with plenty of open looks on the perimeter. It’s been an erratic first season in the Big Apple for the wing. Through 68 games, he’s averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Bridges’ production isn’t something you can count on during most contests. That might not be the case without Brunson. During seven appearances this season without the All-Star, Bridges has recorded 22.6 points. In that time, the 28-year-old has played just under 38 minutes per game. Armed with a massive workload against a middling Hornets defense, New York’s third option could go off tonight.
Giannis Antetokounmpo more than 19.5 points + rebounds
Another year, another dominant campaign from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak has been at his best all season, making a push for his third career MVP award. Through 56 games, he’s averaged 30.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. With numbers such as those, it’s almost impossible to fade the power forward in any statistical category.
A high-profile matchup is on deck tonight when the Bucks travel to Los Angeles. When these two squads met last week, Antetokounmpo delivered a 24-point, 12-rebound, nine-assist masterpiece. In his last three games against the Lakers, Giannis has produced 15.7 rebounds and 10.7 assists. Without LeBron James (groin) active, there isn’t anyone on the Purple and Gold that can slow the All-Star down. At even money, expect Milwaukee’s face of the franchise to deliver another terrific all-around performance.
Damian Lillard more than 6.5 assists
We’ll hang in LA, where the Bucks will need more than just Antetokounmpo to secure a road win. While much of Milwaukee’s roster is flawed, the team does have a dangerous second option in Damian Lillard. The guard has enjoyed a terrific second season with his new team, casting aside concerns of a decline at the age of 34. Through 58 games, he’s posted 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and a team-leading 7.1 assists.
The Lakers have been playing improved defense recently, but they are vulnerable without LeBron James (groin). This season, opponents have recorded 27.1 assists per game against Los Angeles, the ninth-worst mark in basketball. Lillard has notched eight or more assists in four of his last five meetings with LA. There’s no reason to think that can’t continue on Thursday night.
Tre Jones more than 22.5 points + rebounds + assists
Somehow, the Bulls are still in contention for an Eastern Conference play-in spot. After a busy trade deadline, Chicago has plenty of decent, if unspectacular, rotation pieces to work with. That includes Tre Jones, acquired from the Spurs last month as part of the three-team De’Aaron Fox trade. Over 17 games with his new team, the guard has produced 11.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds.
Those numbers, while solid, don’t exactly stand out. However, head coach Billy Donovan has entrusted Jones with a larger role recently. The 25-year-old has started Chicago’s last eight games, playing at least 30 minutes in each contest. During that stretch, he’s tallied 23 or more points + rebounds + assists six different times. Assuming the guard gets another start, he should have little difficulty delivering another stellar stat line vs. Sacramento.
Jonas Valanciunas more than 25.5 points + rebounds
Among the many moves Sacramento made this trade deadline, acquiring Jonas Valanciunas has been crucial. Nagging injuries to Domantas Sabonis have left the Kings with limited depth at center. Fortunately, the former Wizards big man has been able to fill in admirably. Over seven games as a starter with his new team, Valanciunas has posted 12.0 points and 12.3 rebounds.
With Sabonis (ankle) out once again, Sacramento will turn to its over-qualified backup center. Valanciunas could be in line for a monster performance on Thursday against an awful Bulls defense. This season, Chicago has surrendered the second-most points (121.0) and the second-most rebounds (55.3) per game to opponents. Expect another dominant day for the Lithuanian in a potential shootout.
Kevin Huerter more than 2.5 three-pointers made
As previously mentioned, Chicago’s roster underwent a major overhaul at the trade deadline. Among the pieces that went back to the Windy City, Kevin Huerter has immediate value as a three-point specialist. The former Kings forward has seen a major boost in production since joining the Bulls in February. Through 15 games with his new team, Huerter has averaged 12.1 points, despite shooting just 39.2% from the field (35.4 3PT%).
Back in his old stomping groups, the sharpshooter should find success against the Kings on Thursday. This season, opponents have connected on an NBA-high 38.3% of their three-point attempts vs. Sacramento. Huerter has nailed three or more shots from deep in nine of his previous 12 appearances. The 26-year-old is set up nicely for another quality outing from long distance.
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Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not 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 can not pick the same player twice and you must pick 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.
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