After a massive slate on Saturday, today’s schedule across the Association is very quiet. In fact, we have just three games – the Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings, and Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans.
Below, we'll dive into our best NBA picks for DraftKings’ Pick6 on Sunday, December 22.
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.
🔽 Fred VanVleet Less Than 15.5 points
🔽 RJ Barrett Less Than 23.5 points
🔼 Scottie Barnes More Than 6.5 assists
🔽 Jalen Green Less Than 20.5 points
🔼 Gradey Dick More Than 15.5 points
🔽 Jonathan Mogbo Less Than 6.5 rebounds
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for December 22
Fred VanVleet 15.5 Points: LESS
Fred VanVleet signed a massive deal with the Houston Rockets a couple of seasons ago but he’s seemingly turned into their third option behind youngsters Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. VanVleet is averaging just 15.1 PPG with a 19.6% usage rate.
While he’s still a very good playmaker, VanVleet isn’t scoring the rock at a consistent level, especially lately. He’s registered less than 15.5 points in five straight appearances. While you could be thinking maybe this is a revenge game for VanVleet, he scored just 10 points in his only game against his former squad, the Toronto Raptors. It will be a quiet one for the guard.
RJ Barrett 23.5 Points: LESS
RJ Barrett has really found a home in Toronto. With a bigger role, he’s putting up huge numbers, averaging a career-best 23.5 points per night. However, Barrett has scored less than 23.5 in three of his last five outings.
On top of that, Barrett is averaging just 18.1 PPG lifetime against the Rockets in seven contests. While the Canadian is putting up nearly 30 points per game on home court, I believe in Houston’s ability to slow him down tonight, especially with the Raps already in the midst of a six-game skid.
Scottie Barnes 6.5 Assists: MORE
I think one of Scottie Barnes’ most underrated skills is his playmaking. The Raptors franchise cornerstone is leading the team in assists with 7.3 per night, which is also a career-best. Barnes does a phenomenal job at getting his teammates involved. He’s selfless with the rock in his hands.
Although Barnes has dished out less than 6.5 assists in back-to-back games, he had more than 6.5 in eight games in a row before that. He’s averaging 7.3 assists at home in 2024-25, too. I expect him to pass the basketball at a high-level tonight.
Jalen Green 20.5 Points: LESS
Jalen Green is developing into a very solid player for the Rockets. While he’s not always super consistent, we’ve seen the guard have some huge games this season where he’ll erupt for 30+. But, that won’t happen here.
First, he’s collected less than 20.5 points in three of his last five. Also, Green is averaging a mere 13.6 PPG in five career games against the Raptors. Don’t expect much from the former first-round pick tonight.
Gradey Dick 15.5 Points: MORE
The Raptors are in a rebuild of some sort and Gradey Dick is proving to be an important part of it. He’s taking full advantage of an increased role in Year 2, averaging 18.5 points on 32.4 minutes played per night. That’s exactly why you have to look at more than 15.5 points in this one.
Dick has scored 19,27, and 22 in his last three contests. He has a hot hand right now and the ex-Kansas Jayhawk is also averaging 17.5 points per game at Scotiabank Arena. This entry is a no-brainer.
Jonathan Mogbo 6.5 Rebounds: LESS
Jonathan Mogbo is definitely a role player off Toronto’s bench. He’s mostly known for his ability to make his presence felt down low, averaging 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. But, he’s only had one game this season in double digits in boards and Mogbo has brought down less than 6.5 rebounds in four of his last seven.
The reason I like this entry is also because the Rockets are No.1 in the Association in rebounding. Mogbo will have his work cut out for him tonight on the glass.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
You just know that Domantas Sabonis and Tyrese Haliburton will have an extra gear against their former teams, which is why both players are in the @Pick6 lineup.
— Jon Metler (@JonMetler) December 22, 2024
⬆️ Myles Turner
⬆️ Tyrese Haliburton
⬆️ Domantas Sabonis
⬆️ DeMar DeRozan
⬆️ Nikola Jokic
⬇️ Scottie Barnes https://t.co/3YWsP4g0so pic.twitter.com/APr7W5X93b
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