There are eight games on the slate tonight. We’re all locked in on the NBA Trade Deadline, but there’s still plenty of basketball to be played. With all these players moving around, it’s important to understand how that affects our Pick6 decisions.
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 tonight’s slate. We simply choose whether a player will record more or less of the set statistic. Here are my favorite plays for tonight’s action.
Jalen Johnson More than 24.5 Points
Johnson’s 23.2 PPG this season is his career-high by far, but tonight he’ll have an excellent opportunity against the Jazz to get that number up. The Jazz are the league’s worst defense this season by far, posting a bottom-last 113.7 net rating. One of their weaknesses also happens to be an area of strength for Johnson, whose scoring profile inside the arc includes tons of rim pressure, cuts, seals, and bully ball. The Jazz are allowing 58.6 OPPG against 2 pointers and will be especially vulnerable against the Hawks star.
Johnson’s averaging 23.8 PPG in his last five games and should be a safe bet to clear his 24.5 expectation tonight.
Kevin Durant More Than 23.5 Points
Durant’s going up against a red-hot Hornets team that’s currently on a seven win streak, going 8-2 in their last ten games. While the Hornets have a defensive rating of 116.9 over the season, it’s looked better recently at 108.5, which would tie the Pistons’ second-best defensive rating over the season, which is impressive. But we all know who he is. Kevin Durant is averaging 25.6 PPG at home this season and is matchup proof.
Over the season, Charlotte’s still allowing opponents to shoot 54.5% from 2 point territory, and Durant happens to be one of the league’s premier mid range snipers. I’m expecting Durant’s proficiency in Charlotte’s areas of weakness to outweigh the Hornets’ recent momentum.
Cooper Flagg Less Than 22.5 Points
Flagg has been nuclear lately, going for 36, 34, and 49 points in his last three games, respectively. He’s cementing his ROTY case and it’s clear that the Mavericks are just going to pile resources into developing Flagg over the next few years to ensure his stardom, which honestly seems all but guaranteed.
Tonight he’ll run into a wall. The Spurs hold the league’s third-best defensive rating anchored by the best defender in the league, Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama’s rim presence is undeniable, and opponents finish 8.6% worse at the rim with Wembanyama as their primary defender. The majority of Flagg’s shot volume is around the rim, and Flagg’s not a prolific three point shooter (yet). I’m expecting Flagg to struggle attacking the rim tonight, and he’ll have to settle for middies, of which he’s hitting 46.6% from 3-10 feet and 50% from 10-16 feet. He’s shooting 32.1% on long twos from 16 feet-3 point land.
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!
