It’s a quiet day in the Association on Friday, December 20, with just three games on the schedule.
But we do have a pair of intriguing matchups as the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers go toe to toe. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder will visit the Miami Heat in South Beach.
Below, we'll dive into our 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.
🔼🔽 Donovan Mitchell Less Than 23.5 Points
🔼🔽 Giannis Antetokounmpo More Than 32.5 Points
🔼🔽 Jarrett Allen Less Than 10.5 Rebounds
🔼🔽 Georges Niang More Than 1.5 Threes
🔼🔽 Evan Mobley More Than 16.5 Points
🔼🔽 Darius Garland More Than 29.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for December 20
Donovan Mitchell 23.5 Points: LESS
Donovan Mitchell is having a fantastic season for the 23-4 Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 40.4% shooting from 3-point range. However, he’s been scoring less than usual as of late.
Spida has registered more than 20 points or fewer in four straight contests and is struggling with his shot recently. In his last matchup with the Bucks, the guard also put up just 14 points. Milwaukee is allowing just 22.1 ppg to shooting guards, too.
Giannis Antetokounmpo 32.5 Points: MORE
I know this number is high, but we’re talking about Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even when the Milwaukee Bucks were struggling earlier this season, The Greek Freak was still balling out at a ridiculous level. Giannis won NBA Cup MVP the other night after posting 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.
While he’s scored more than 32.5 just twice in his last seven outings, there’s reason to believe Antetokounmpo will erupt tonight. With Dame sidelined, that puts a lot more of the offensive load on the big man’s shoulders. Plus, he dropped 34 against the Cavs in early November. A banner night from Giannis will be in the cards.
Jarrett Allen 10.5 Rebounds: Less
The Cavs’ Twin Towers in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are a force down low. For this one, we’ll focus on Allen, who is averaging 10.3 rebounds per game in 2024-25. However, he’s brought down less than 10.5 boards in five of the last seven.
In fact, he’s only grabbed more than tonight’s total twice just in the previous nine games. It’s always tough when you’re up against Giannis, too. Allen will stay in single digits in rebounds at home here.
Georges Niang 1.5 Threes: MORE
Georges Niang is a key piece off the bench for the Cavs, averaging 8.8 points per contest. He’s one of Cleveland’s best 3-point shooters, and I believe he’ll keep up his hot streak tonight. Niang has registered more than 1.5 triples in three straight contests and also finished in double digits in scoring in those games.
In Niang’s last matchup against the Bucks, he also went 3-for-6 from downtown. Given the trends, I’m loving this entry tonight.
Evan Mobley 16.5 Points: MORE
Evan Mobley is averaging 18.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per night. He’s scoring the rock at a high level lately, compiling more than 16.5 points in four of his last five. Mobley erupted for 21 in Cleveland’s last game against Brooklyn.
The former USC standout had 17 points in November’s matchup against the Bucks and has been really playing with a lot of confidence throughout December. While Milwaukee is one of the better teams at defending power forwards, I do think Mobley will show out tonight.
Darius Garland 29.5 Points+Assists+Rebounds: MORE
Darius Garland does a little bit of everything and he’s thriving this season after facing lots of criticism in 2023-24. The guard has registered more than 29.5 points+rebounds+assists in two of his last three appearances.
The ex-Vanderbilt star torched Milwaukee for 39 points in November and has averaged more than 29.5 combined at home in ‘24-25. He plays a lot better in Ohio compared to on the road, and he'll leave his mark tonight.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
Fresh off a sweep yesterday with the @Pick6 lineup, and we’re looking to run it back with another one today!
— Jon Metler (@JonMetler) December 20, 2024
⬆️ Jarrett Allen
⬆️ Lu Dort
⬆️ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
⬆️ Alex Caruso
⬇️ Tyrese Maxey
⬇️ LaMelo Ball https://t.co/TrynZSpFeB pic.twitter.com/5WFQKpSzRT
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