The first day of 2025 will feature eight games across the Association and many star players in action.
Nikola Jokic, Trae Young, Jalen Brunson, De’Aaron Fox, Tyler Herro, and several others will take the floor. The most intriguing matchup of Wednesday’s slate will be a battle of Texas between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.
Keep 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.
🔼🔽 Jamal Murray More Than 22.5 Points
🔼🔽 Alperen Sengun Less Than 20.5 Points
🔼🔽 Mikal Bridges More Than 2.5 Threes
🔼🔽 Josh Giddey More Than 7.5 Assists
🔼🔽 Jalen Johnson More Than 9.5 Rebounds
🔼🔽 Nikola Jokic More Than 30.5 Points
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for January 1
Jamal Murray 22.5 Points: MORE
Jamal Murray is a crucial player for the Nuggets alongside Nikola Jokic. While he’s not always consistent when it comes to scoring the basketball, the Canadian guard is still averaging 19.8 points per game on 36.5% shooting from 3-point land.
The former Kentucky standout has scored more than 22.5 points in five of his last seven appearances. He even erupted for 34 a few nights ago against the lowly Detroit Pistons. He didn’t face the Hawks earlier this season but Murray averaged 22.5 ppg against them in 2023-24.
Alperen Sengun 20.5 Points: LESS
The Rockets are flourishing and Alperen Sengun is a big reason for it. However, I’m not expecting a huge scoring night from him. The center has dropped less than 20.5 points in seven of his last 10 outings. Sengun still makes a crucial impact on the boards, but the scoring numbers are currently up and down.
Sengun faced the Mavericks on Halloween and only scored 12 points in that one. The trends point to him having a quiet game.
Mikal Bridges 2.5 Threes: MORE
Mikal Bridges is finally heating up for the Knicks after they swung an offseason trade for him. We’ll focus on his efficiency from downtown here.
The ex-Villanova star is shooting 36% from long range and has averaged 2.4 makes on 6.7 attempts per night. The 28-year-old has drained more than 2.5 treys in five of his last seven. Bridges even sank six triples on Christmas in his 41-point outburst against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
New York is facing the Jazz tonight, one of the worst teams in the league. Opponents are shooting 36% from deep against them.
Josh Giddey 7.5 Assists: MORE
Josh Giddey has been a brilliant addition to the Bulls from the Alex Caruso trade. He can do a little bit of everything, averaging 12.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds. Giddey’s playmaking is probably his strongest trait. He’s dished out more than 7.5 dimes in three of the last five games.
Chicago takes on the Washington Wizards tonight, who are terrible in all areas. While he did average just 6.0 assists against them last season, he’s passing the rock at a high level right now. Plus, the Wizards are allowing over 30 dimes per game across their last three.
Jalen Johnson 9.5 Rebounds: MORE
On both ends of the floor, Jalen Johnson is proving his worth to the Hawks. He’s been praised time and time again but head coach Quin Snyder. His averages on the season sit at 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Johnson is especially dominating on the glass.
He’s brought down more than 9.5 boards in eight of his last 10 and has finished in double figures in four of the previous five outings. Based on his recent performances, this entry is a no-brainer.
Nikola Jokic 30.5 Points: MORE
The Joker looks well on his way to another MVP award at the season’s end. He’s averaging 31 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting a mind-boggling 48% from 3-point range. Nikola Jokic has scored more than 30.5 points in back-to-back games, torching the Jazz for 36 and the Pistons for 37.
Jokic has posted more than tonight’s total in four of his previous five appearances. And guess what? The big man balled out for 48 earlier this season against the Hawks. I do expect him to show out again here.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s a @Pick6 lineup you can root for while hungover on the couch today.
— Jon Metler (@JonMetler) January 1, 2025
⬆️ Nikola Jokic: the Hawks have to send doubles and help Capela/Okongwu
⬆️ Domantas Sabonis: Andre Drummond is a matchup Sabonis can attack and he won’t apply pressure
⬆️ Josh… https://t.co/Gctv5hPcvk
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