The NBA season is winding down with roughly 10 games remaining in the regular season for each team. It is a light six-game slate tonight and this final stretch will have some significant implications for both the playoff seedings at the top of the standings and the lottery odds near the bottom.
These lottery odds will be notable in tonight’s slate with each organization going to some significant lengths to stack the deck in their favor. Just one game will be taking place at 7:00 p.m. ET between the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards. A half-hour later, the Toronto Raptors will play the Brooklyn Nets. All four of these teams rank in the top seven in lottery odds with the Nets and Sixers currently holding the same record. The outcome of these two games will shake things up and each organization is well aware of its outlook. Take a look at each extensive injury report as evidence of this.
Also taking place at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Indiana Pacers while the New York Knicks host the Los Angeles Clippers. Then, at 9:00 p.m. ET, the Milwaukee Bucks will play the Denver Nuggets. This comes on the heels of a concerning injury update regarding Damian Lillard; Giannis Antetokounmpo has already been ruled out for this game. Finally, at 10:00 p.m. ET, the Boston Celtics will play the Phoenix Suns to close out the slate.
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 26. 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 six-game slate.
Alex Sarr More Than 24.5 Points & Rebounds
There has not been enough buzz surrounding Alex Sarr, the second overall pick in the last draft. The Frenchman has been kept out of the public eye on a struggling Wizards team but has shown some intriguing signs of progress with his play over the past few weeks. On the season overall, he is averaging 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across his 27.0 minutes of action.
Sarr has been granted the freedom to play through his mistakes and progressed throughout the year. Across his past 11 games, he is averaging 17.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Sarr has recorded more than 24.5 combined points and assists in 11 games this season.
The Wizards are set to be without Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart, Bilal Coulibaly, Keyshawn George, Corey Kispert, Malcolm Brogdon, and Saddiq Bey while facing an even more shorthanded Sixers team. Philadelphia is especially weak on the interior with Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond set to miss tonight’s contest as well. On the season, Philadelphia ranks 19th in opponents’ points allowed and 24th in opponents’ rebounds allowed. Expect Sarr’s size and athleticism to stand out against this shorthanded Sixers squad. Count on him to have a significant advantage on the boards and have a chance at one of his best statistical outputs on the season, with more than 24.5 points and rebounds tonight.
Jamal Shead More Than 10.5 Points
The Toronto Raptors have joined the race to the bottom with their lottery odds in mind. As a part of this effort, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, Chris Boucher, and Brandon Ingram are all set to miss tonight’s game. Rookie Jamal Shead has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this and continued to see his opportunity expand as the season has progressed.
On the season, Shead is averaging just 6.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game. The Houston product is in the midst of his best month as a professional averaging 9.8 points and 4.9 assists across his 23.5 minutes per game in March. Shead enters this game having scored more than 10.5 points in three straight games and in six of the 12 games in the month.
Toronto will face off with the Brooklyn Nets tonight who have a similar outlook as an organization and will be without Cam Johnson, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Cam Thomas tonight. Shead is one of the few offensive creators remaining on the Raptors roster and has the freedom to attack offensively. Brooklyn continues to play with a more spirited effort than some of the other bottom-tier teams but Shead is competing for his NBA future and has produced of late. Look for him to benefit from an expanded offensive roll and record more than 10.5 points for the 13th time this season.
OG Anunoby Less Than 18.5 Points
The New York Knicks continue to navigate the murky waters without Jalen Brunson. This has changed the roles for the rest of the roster and the Knicks have gone 5-4 since he went down. OG Anunoby has been a part of this effort and is averaging 20.8 points per game in this stretch without Brunson, recording more than 18.5 points in six of these nine games.
This output is above what Anunoby has produced during the season. The 27-year-old averaging 17.1 points per game this yearbut this will be a tough matchup for Anunoby and the Knicks as they face the Clippers tonight. Los Angeles has embraced a more defensive-minded approach this season and is reaping the benefits. On the season they rank fourth in opponents’ points per game, seventh in opponents’ field goal percentage, and seventh in opponents’ three-point percentage.
Anunoby was limited to 11 points in the first matchup with the Clippers. While Brunson’s absence changes the equation, 18.5 is a lofty bar for Anunoby to hit. He has been held to less than 18.5 points in 39 of the 65 games. Expect the Clippers’ variety of impressive perimeter defenders to impose themselves and for Anunoby to be impacted by this. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges will still carry the bulk of the offensive responsibilities and this is not a matchup that is advantageous to Anunoby’s skillset. Expect a mild statistical output and for the former Raptors’ star to be held to less than 18.5 points tonight.
Austin Reaves More Than 24.5 Points & Assists
For the first time since the trade for Luka Doncic, the Lakers have hit some adversity. Los Angeles has lost three straight games and dropped seven of their past 10 matchups. The honeymoon period of increased defensive impact has passed and the lack of rim protection to anchor their defense has been extremely evident. They will now turn their attention to facing the Indiana Pacers who have turned their season around after a tough start to the season.
While the importance of Doncic and LeBron James must be acknowledged, Austin Reaves continues to play a significant role on this Lakers team. Reaves has logged a higher usage than James in recent games, averaging 22.9 points and 5.7 assists in March. The 26-year-old has tallied more than 24.5 combined points and assists in seven of his past eight games.
The Pacers play an up-tempo style of basketball that can lead to some impressive statistical outputs for both teams on the floor. Reaves dropped 45 points in the first matchup with the Pacers although it should be noted both Doncic and James missed this matchup. Even with both stars back on the floor, there will be enough opportunities for Reaves to get his numbers and make his impact felt. Look for him to continue providing a necessary offensive spark and record more than 24.5 combined points and assists for the 35th time this season.
Christian Braun More Than 13.5 Points
The Denver Nuggets also have been impacted by the injury bug with Nikola Jokic having missed the past five games. The three-time MVP is listed as questionable alongside teammate Aaron Gordon on the injury report. Regardless of whether Jokic can return, look for Christian Braun to continue asserting himself as a scorer as he has in recent games.
On the season, Braun is averaging 15.1 points per game and connecting on 57.4% of his field goal attempts. The Kansas product has scored more than 13.5 points in 42 of his 71 games played, including nine of his past 13 games.
The Nuggets will take on the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. This comes on the heels of the deflating news of Damian Lillard being shut down due to a blood clot. In addition, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for the matchup with a foot injury. Braun finished with 13 points in the first matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks a month ago. He has continued to play at a high level and has taken his game to new heights since this point. Milwaukee ranks 12th in opponents points per game and 25th in opponents’ three-point attempts allowed. Braun has stepped up in a major way this season and will continue to see plenty of responsibility on his plate. Look for him to continue maximizing his opportunities and record more than 13.5 points tonight.
Kristaps Porzingis More Than 27.5 Points & Rebounds
In the final matchup of the night’s slate, the Phoenix Suns will host the defending champion Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum is considered doubtful for his matchup due to an ankle injury while Bradley Beal has been ruled out for the Suns. Phoenix has struggled to get adequate production on the interior all year. On the season they rank 17th in opponent rebounds per game and 24th in total rebounds. They also are 20th in opponents’ points allowed.
Enter Kristaps Porzingis, who has the skillset to capitalize on these weaknesses. While injuries and availability have been an issue for Porizingis, the production has mostly been there when he has been on the floor. Across the 36 games he has played this season, the Latvian is averaging 19.4 points and 6.9 rebounds this season. These mark his lowest statistical totals since the 2017-18 season when he was still on the New York Knicks. Even still, the 7-foot-2 big man has recorded more than 27.5 combined points and rebounds in 14 of the 36 games he has played. This includes three of his past four games.
With Tatum expected to miss this contest and interior production already a weakness for the Suns, expect Porzingis to get plenty of action in this game. Count on him to assert himself on the boards and create some easy putback opportunities. He will be called on more often offensively in this matchup and has a chance for one of his best scoring outputs this season. Look for him to record more than 27.5 points and assists as the Celtics tread water until the playoffs begin.
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!
