Bryan Armetta makes his DraftKings NBA Pick6 selections before Thursday night’s NBA games.
Eight NBA games tip off on Thursday, and there’s no shortage of star power. Some of the game’s best, including Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are expected to suit up for this jam-packed slate of basketball. With so many names to choose from, there’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings Sportsbook, including DraftKings NBA Pick6 selections ahead of tonight’s matchups.
The Cavaliers still sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 19-3 record. Surprisingly, the team is thriving despite a statistical decline from superstar Donovan Mitchell. The five-time All-Star has averaged 24.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists through 21 games this season. Those numbers, while still solid, aren’t quite at the All-NBA level most fans have grown accustomed to.
In a showdown against one of the West’s best, head coach Kenny Atkinson should keep his best player on the floor more than usual. The Nuggets aren’t playing great defense, giving up the seventh-most points (116.3 PPG) and the second-most assists (30.4 APG) in the association. Mitchell has been more of a passer recently, going over this assist total in three of his last four outings; I’d expect that streak to continue against Denver.
After battling injuries to start the season, P.J. Washington has reminded everyone why the Mavericks acquired him last February. Over his previous ten games, the former Hornet has put up 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 49.1% shooting, serving as a much-needed secondary option behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
The most impressive part of Washington’s recent hot streak has been his work on the glass. The 6’7″ forward has snagged eight or more boards in six of his last seven games. Thursday’s matchup is the perfect setup for another double-double, as the Wizards have given up the second-most rebounds to opposing teams this season (56.3 RPG). There’s a chance that this game turns into a blowout, but Washington has a strong chance at clearing this total quickly.
Devin Vassell’s return from injury has given the Spurs a much-needed sharpshooter to play alongside Victor Wembanyama. Through seven games this season, the fifth-year pro has posted 17.9 points on an impressive 52.9% shooting from the field. Those numbers have been boosted by the wing’s ability from beyond the arc, where he’s knocking down 3.0 three-pointers on 6.1 attempts.
Expecting Vassell to continue shooting 48.8% from long-distance isn’t realistic, but an increased workload is possible. The Spurs have played it safe so far by limiting the 24-year-old’s playing time to just 23.3 minutes per game, but there’s a strong possibility that changes soon. Perhaps it’s tonight against the Bulls, the NBA’s most generous defense (123.2 points allowed). Even if it’s off the bench, San Antonio’s young scorer is well-positioned to knock down some big shots.
Kevin Durant is sidelined once again, this time due to a sprained left ankle. The Suns still have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to handle most of the load on offense, but KD’s absence opens up more touches for the rest of the roster. That includes talented point guard Tyus Jones, who has contributed with 11.7 points and 7.1 assists through 20 appearances.
Those numbers sans Durant are even more impressive, as Jones has tallied 13.3 points and 7.3 assists in seven games without the former MVP. Thursday’s opponent, the Pelicans, have given up 110 points or more in each of their previous eight contests. With that in mind, backing Phoenix’s primary creator is a savvy move against such a porous defense.
What looked to be a massive Western Conference showdown has been tarnished by the absence of Golden State stars Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green (calf). The rest of the roster is talented enough to keep things close, but the pair of injuries have made winning an easier task for the visiting Rockets. That’s especially true inside the paint, where rising star Alperen Sengun will look to take advantage of a hobbled Warriors defense.
The big man has gotten off to a terrific start this year, putting up 19.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists through 22 games. Golden State has been stingy down low, giving up the fourth-fewest points in the paint to opponents (44.1 PPG). However, much of the credit needs to go to Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year. Without their best defender, the Warriors face a massive challenge trying to contain one of the game’s best centers in Sengun.
As previously mentioned, the Suns will be without Kevin Durant for at least a week, if not longer. That means Devin Booker immediately steps in as the team’s 1A option on offense. Even though he’s not quite at KD’s level, Booker is no scrub. The two-time All-NBA selection is one of the game’s most dangerous players, averaging 25.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists this season.
Expect even more production from Booker going forward. In games played without Durant since 2022, the ten-year veteran has generated 27.1 points on 47.8% shooting from the field. This is a spot that the guard has dominated in recently, averaging an eye-popping 46.8 points over his last four games against New Orleans. An even worse Pelicans roster has little chance of stopping him on Thursday.
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.
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.
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
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.
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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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
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