There are just six NBA games on the docket for Sunday, but we've got three high-quality games, starting with a potential NBA Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.
With plenty of high-scoring games expected, we are taking some key contributors to score more points than their markets indicated.
Continue reading for my best NBA picks for DraftKings’ Pick6 for January, 5.
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.
🔼 DeMar DeRozan More Than 23.5 points
🔼 Andrew Wiggins More Than 18.5 points
🔼 CJ McCollum More Than 25.5 points
🔽 Malik Monk Less Than 6.5 assists
🔼 Darius Garland More Than 2.5 Threes
🔽 Kyle Kuzma Less Than 17.5 points
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for January 5
DeMar DeRozan 23.5 Points: MORE
The Sacramento Kings are facing the Golden State Warriors tonight, who won’t have Steph Curry or Jonathan Kuminga. Sacramento is also shorthanded, with De’Aaron Fox out with a hip injury. That means it’s time for DeMar DeRozan to show out.
While he’s only scored more than 23.5 points twice in his last nine, the veteran dropped 29 on Friday in a win over the Grizzlies and that was with Fox watching from the sidelines. It will be another bigger workload for DeRozan. He also averaged 36 PPG versus Golden State last season in two outings.
Andrew Wiggins 18.5 Points: MORE
Similar situation for Andrew Wiggins here. Curry and Kuminga not playing means Wiggins is also going to have a larger role tonight when it comes to scoring the basketball. He took advantage on Saturday, dropping 24 to lead the way in a win over Memphis.
The Canadian has scored more than 18.5 points just twice in his last six games. But, again, there’s all the reason to believe he’ll hit the 20-point mark at the very least tonight. He averaged 17.8 PPG against the Kings in 2023-24.
CJ McCollum 25.5 Points: MORE
The New Orleans Pelicans are downright atrocious and there’s no changing that. There’s a good chance they will blow it up at the trade deadline and CJ McCollum could be one of the players gone. But, he’s definitely proving his worth to the organization right now.
The guard just erupted for 50 the other night and has scored more than 25.5 points in three of the last four. In those two other games, McCollum posted 30+ points as well. He’ll have the chance to do it again tonight because New Orleans is facing the Wizards, who are also terrible in all areas.
Malik Monk 6.5 Assists: LESS
Malik Monk is another player who will benefit offensively from Fox’s absence because he’ll get more touches. We saw that on Friday as he showed out for 31 points. Because Monk is going to be relied on to score, I’m eyeing this entry.
The guard has dished out less than 6.5 assists in five of the last six. He’s averaging 4.9 dimes per game and doesn’t typically shine in this particular area. You could definitely see Monk have another impressive outing tonight, but it won’t be from a facilitating standpoint. He’ll focus on putting the rock in the cup.
Darius Garland 2.5 Three Pointers: MORE
What a season Darius Garland is having for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s averaging 20.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds on 42% shooting from long range. That will be the focus of this entry. While Garland has finished with less than 2.5 treys made in back-to-back games, he drained more than 2.5 in four of his previous five before that.
Cleveland is facing the Hornets, who aren’t exactly elite in any defensive area. It’s only a matter of time until Garland heats up again from long range and I think it will be against Charlotte.
Kyle Kuzma 17.5 Points: LESS
The Washington Wizards are in the gutter and Kyle Kuzma is even having a disappointing campaign. He’s averaging nearly eight points less per night than last season with 14.5 PPG on 25% shooting from three-point land. Yikes. Kuz has finished with less than 17.5 points in three of the last four, posting single digits in points.
Washington takes on the Pels and Kuzma had just 14 against them on Friday. He is in a serious rut and there are no signs of that changing right now. Unfortunately, it appears it could be another quiet one for the veteran.
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