It’s an eventful slate across the Association today, with nine games on the schedule. We’ll focus on three picks from an intriguing matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns, including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Tyrese Haliburton.
Continue reading for my best NBA picks for DraftKings’ Pick6.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 Picks for today
The first three picks are our favorite plays for a 3-player lineup. If you want to play a 6-player lineup, use all six stat projections below.
🔼 Tyrese Maxey More Than 26.5 Points
🔼 Kevin Durant More Than 27.5 Points
🔼 Tyrese Haliburton More Than 18.5 Points
🔼 Ben Simmons More Than 6.5 Assists
🔽 Devin Booker Less Than 2.5 Threes
🔼 Lauri Markkanen More Than 19.5 Points
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for January 4
Tyrese Maxey 26.5 Points: MORE
While the 76ers are struggling this season, Tyrese Maxey has fully emerged as their best player, with Joel Embiid missing time due to injury. The guard has scored more than 26.5 points in five of his last seven appearances, which included three games where he erupted for 30+.
Philly faces the Nets tonight, and last time Maxey played them, he had 26.
Kevin Durant 27.5 Points: MORE
The Suns definitely have their issues, but Kevin Durant is not one of them. He’s putting up a team-high 27.7 ppg and has been balling out over the last week. The veteran just dropped more than 27.5 points in three consecutive outings, scoring 29, 31, and 35. Those were all against strong teams as well: the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Mavericks.
Phoenix is facing the Pacers tonight, and the last time Durant took them on, he hung 37 in a 120-111 loss on December 19. Win or lose, I expect KD to continue his hot streak.
Tyrese Haliburton 18.5 Points: MORE
It’s been a disappointing campaign for Tyrese Haliburton from a scoring standpoint. After being named an All-Star across the last two seasons, Hali hasn’t found the same success in 2024-25.
However, Haliburton has been showing signs of life lately. He just scored 33 and 31 points against the Heat and Celtics, respectively. Although the guard scored only 13 points against the Suns the last time they met, he is in a groove right now.
Ben Simmons 6.5 Assists: MORE
Ben Simmons has truly fallen off a cliff over the years. He is nowhere near the same player he once was, especially when it comes to scoring the basketball. But Simmons still offers value as a playmaker and rebounder.
He leads the Nets in assists with 6.9 per night. He’s dished out more than 6.5 dimes in seven of the previous eight contests.
Devin Booke 2.5 Threes: LESS
Devin Booker just returned from injury after dealing with a groin strain, missing about 11 days in total. He played 30 minutes in his first game back, registering 16 points. The Suns will be playing it cautiously with Booker in order to keep him healthy.
When it comes to his 3-point shooting, the ex-Kentucky star is shooting 34.1%. Booker was 2-for-8 from deep in his return and has converted less than 2.5 triples in four of his last six games.
Lauri Markkanen 19.5 Points: MORE
Lauri Markkanen’s numbers are down this season for the Jazz, but he’s still their most productive scorer. The Finnish sharpshooter is averaging 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
While he’s scored just 16 and 17 points across the last two, Markkanen dropped more than 19.5 in five straight before that. After all, he does have the highest usage rate on Utah’s roster, so it’s not exactly difficult for him to get to 20 points.
Last season, Markkanen averaged 18.5 points against tonight’s opponent, the Heat, in two games.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
Check back soon for Jon's Pick6 entry!
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