We have eight games on the NBA slate for Wednesday, January 8, and one, in particular, will take center stage.
The two best teams in the Association face off as the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Cleveland Cavaliers. Two of our picks come from that matchup as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Garland will each show out. Also, Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama will play their part in helping the San Antonio Spurs end a five-game losing skid.
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.
🔼 Darius Garland More Than 19.5 Points
🔼 Cade Cunningham More Than 26.5 Point
🔼 Chris Paul More Than 7.5 Assists
🔼 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander More Than 31.5 Points
🔼 Victor Wembanyama More Than 11.5 Rebounds
🔽 Khris Middleton Less Than 13.5 Points
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for January 8
Darius Garland 19.5 points: MORE
After a summer full of trade chatter, Darius Garland is having a marvelous season for the NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s averaging 20.5 points on an efficient 43.1% clip from 3-point land. The guard has been the perfect co-star to Donovan Mitchell and he’ll face a good test tonight in the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are dominant on both ends of the floor.
However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Garland show out. He’s scored more than 19.5 points in five of his last seven games. After putting up less than tonight’s total in back-to-back games, the Vanderbilt product dropped 25 in a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. He’ll make his presence felt here.
Cade Cunningham 26.5 Points: MORE
I know, 26.5 points is high, but Cade Cunningham is balling out lately for the lowly Detroit Pistons. The former first-overall pick has scored 72 points across his last two outings. He erupted for 40 in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last Saturday then produced another 32 points on Monday evening against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Detroit has won four in a row and Cunningham is feeling it. While he only totaled 19 points against the Brooklyn Nets when they last played in early November, Cunningham is playing his best over the last week and can find a rhythm early and take off again.
Chris Paul 7.5 Assists: MORE
The Point God is still the Point God. While Chris Paul may not score much these days, he hasn’t missed a beat as a playmaker. CP3 is averaging 8.4 dimes in his first season with the young San Antonio Spurs.
He’s dished out more than 7.5 assists in three straight games, registering nine, eight, and 11, respectively. Honestly, CP3 rarely has less than 7.5 dimes in a single contest. Although the Milwaukee Bucks are Top 10 in fewest assists allowed, Paul had nine against them in one appearance last season. Paul remains a facilitator who can overcome a difficult matchup like this on the regular.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31.5 Points: MORE
Yes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a regular in this series. But, can you blame me? The Canadian superstar continues to prove he’s unstoppable. SGA is averaging 31.3 PPG and he’s tasked with solving the red-hot Cavs.
SGA has been playing ridiculous basketball over the last couple of weeks. He’s scored more than 31.5 points in six of his last eight games, including two outings where the 26-year-old erupted for 40+. And guess what? Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 38.5 points in two matchups with Cleveland in 2023-24.
Victor Wembanyama 11.5 Rebounds: MORE
Victor Wembanyama has improved in all areas throughout Year 2. When it comes to his impact on the glass, that’s a given. After all, he’s absolutely massive. The big man is averaging 10.8 rebounds and has dominated the boards over his last three games, grabbing 14, 23, and 18 rebounds.
Milwaukee is 16th in most opponent rebounds allowed and Wemby can match up with Giannis Antetokounmpo down low, even though the Greek Freak may be more physical. Nevertheless, I expect Wemby to make his presence felt as a rebounder tonight.
Khris Middleton 13.5 Points: LESS
This entry is sad to write because Khris Middleton used to be such an important player for the Bucks. He still is, but not to the same extent. Injuries have really hurt Middleton over the last couple of seasons, as he’s played in just 12 games, averaging 12.7 points.
The veteran has scored less than 13.5 points in two of his last three. While Middleton did post more than 13.5 in six consecutive appearances before that, he’s battling an ankle issue that will slow him down versus San Antonio.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
Immanuel Quickley returning to Madison Square Garden with a point total of 16.5? Sign me up. The @pick6 lineup for Wednesday:
— Jon Metler (@JonMetler) January 8, 2025
⬆️ Donovan Mitchell
⬆️ Immanuel Quickley
⬆️ Tim Hardaway Jr.
⬆️ Giannis Antetokounmpo
⬆️ Victor Wembanyama
⬇️ Josh Hart https://t.co/52AK7SsXQU pic.twitter.com/wGDgqnOOMp
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