We were so close to a 3-0 night before Bradley Beal turned back the clock, doing his best John Stockton impersonation. Still, we hit the weekend fresh off going 2-1, with an eight-game Friday slate in the NBA. The Celtics look to avoid letdown in Detroit, the Lakers try to avenge an earlier loss to the visiting Sixers, and the Pacers and Warriors square off in a highly anticipated matchup. Here are the top three NBA plays for DraftKings Pick6.
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Here’s the lowdown on DraftKings Pick6: It is meant to mirror most pick’em sites, allowing you to build a two- to six-leg entry with larger payouts for more correct choices. However, the new product is peer-to-peer, meaning the strategy lies in beating other players in pre-selected tournaments rather than beating the house, making it important to be contrarian!
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DraftKings Pick6 Predictions Today – NBA Slate
Chet Holmgren M/L 9.5 Rebounds
We head back to the Holmgren well of opportunity as the Pick6 line is set at 9.5 rebounds. The Thunder are double-digit favorites in Toronto and should cruise. This game could easily be a 30-point blowout, as the Oklahoma City bench is more than capable of holding a lead, especially against a Raptors team with zero interest in being competitive. The amount of time Holmgren has to grab 10 boards will be significantly cut.
This is the first of a three-game road trip, with the Bucks up next, followed by the Pelicans — an easy rest spot with a comfortable lead. Holmgren has hit 10 boards four times this month, needing 30-plus minutes to reach that total. He will be hard-pressed to find that same level of action tonight against the bottomed-out Raptors squad.
DraftKings Pick6 Prediction: Chet Holmgren LESS Than 9.5 Rebounds
Jonathan Kuminga M/L 20.5 Points
The Warriors need some consistent results in the win column to keep pace in the Western Conference. The Pacers are a little higher in the Eastern seeding but are still in need of a win streak. Jonathan Kuminga has become a consistent scoring threat and has either eclipsed or hovered at this number all month. Take out the two outliers — a low-scoring loss to the Knicks and a 42-point hammering by Boston — and Kuminga is over this number.
This is a fast-paced game with Indiana in town, and the Warriors aren’t looking to slow it down. More possessions mean more scoring chances for the Warriors, specifically Kuminga. The nature of the rotations with Klay Thompson on the bench means more scoring chances for Kuminga while not taking anything away from Stephen Curry. With Draymond Green back, there’s another key facilitator on the floor to work Kuminga for more shots.
Both teams are playing well but are desperate for a win. Expect a high-scoring, close game with Kuminga hitting at least 21 points.
DraftKings Pick6 Prediction: Jonathan Kuminga MORE Than 20.5 Points
Tyrese Maxey M/L 28.5 Points
The 76ers are in dire need of anything positive at this point, and taking on a healthy Lakers team isn’t the answer. We expect both a probable Anthony Davis and eternally questionable LeBron James to play, making this an extra special revenge game for the Lakers. The last time these two teams played, Joel Embiid and Maxey doled out the worst loss over the entire Hall of Fame career of James. That’s certainly on the mind of Los Angeles tonight as the Lakers host a wounded 76ers squad.
Maxey led all scorers with 31 in that 44-point blowout, but he had help. Without Embiid on the floor, this becomes a much more difficult matchup for Maxey. While he should shoot better than last game — a 6-point effort on 3-for-13 shooting against the Suns — it won’t look good enough to hit 29 points. The Sixers are going to lose this game; the question remains by how much. This is just an impossible stretch for Philadelphia, halfway through a four-game road trip with the Clippers and Kings to follow.
The Lakers are desperate to pull out of that No. 9 spot in the West, and while the 76ers feel equal pressure out East, they simply don’t have the talent to compete tonight.
DraftKings Pick6 Prediction: Tyrese Maxey LESS Than 28.5 Points
OddsShopper’s NBA Tools & Tips
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