Most of the league will take the hardwood on Monday, December 23, with 14 games on the schedule across the Association.
That means plenty of stars in action, including Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell.
Below, I dive into 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.
🔼🔽 Jayson Tatum More Than 25.5 Points
🔼🔽 Donovan Mitchell More Than 23.5 Points
🔼🔽 Walker Kessler Less Than 9.5 Rebounds
🔼🔽 Jaylen Brown More Than 20.5 Points
🔼🔽 Lauri Markkanen More Than 19.5 Points
🔼🔽 Deandre Ayton Less Than 9.5 Rebounds
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for December 23
Jayson Tatum 25.5 Points: MORE
Jayson Tatum is balling out for the reigning champions, averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.
The ex-Duke standout has registered more than 25.5 points in three straight appearances, erupting for 43 on Saturday night against the Bulls. Just two nights before that, he also dropped 31 on Chicago. Tatum averaged more than 26 ppg versus Orlando last season, and the Magic are still missing some key pieces on both ends of the floor.
Donovan Mitchell More Than 23.5 Points: MORE
Revenge game for Donovan Mitchell against the Jazz? I’m going to say yes. This may be against the trends because Spida has scored less than 23.5 points in five of his last six contests. However, the guard is averaging 34.5 ppg in two appearances versus his former team.
Also, Mitchell is scoring 23.5 points per night on a day’s rest this season.
Walker Kessler 9.5 Rebounds: LESS
Walker Kessler is a force on the boards, which is expected when you’re 7-foot. Kessler is averaging 10.4 rebounds per game, but he’s brought down less than 9.5 boards in three of his last four outings.
Kessler is also up against a Cavs team who are dominant down low thanks to their Twin Towers in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. He’ll stay in single digits in rebounds tonight.
Jaylen Brown 20.5 Points: MORE
Just 20.5 points for last season’s Finals MVP? Seems low. Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.4 ppg in 2024-25, and while he’s compiled less than 20.5 points in four straight, Brown had 19 in back-to-back games.
Before that, the guard registered more than 20.5 in four consecutive appearances, and he averaged over 22 ppg against the Magic in the 2023-24 campaign. Again, Orlando is far from full strength as well.
Lauri Markkanen 19.5 Points: MORE
Lauri Markkanen is having a solid campaign for the lowly Jazz, averaging 19 ppg on 37% shooting from 3-point land.
Markkanen just put up more than 19.5 points in two straight games, scoring 21 and 27. He’ll hit the 20-point mark at the very least tonight in Cleveland.
Deandre Ayton 9.5 Rebounds: LESS
Deandre Ayton is one of the Blazers’ top rebounders, but he's playing the Mavericks tonight, who are fifth in rebounding. The big man has also grabbed less than 9.5 boards in five of his last seven games, which doesn’t exactly point to him dominating on the glass here.
Ayton had just seven boards earlier this season against Dallas and another seven in one appearance versus the Mavs last season.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
Check back soon for Jon's Pick6 entry!
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