Thursday, January 2 is quiet across the Association with just six games on the slate. The most enticing matchup of the day will see the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Golden State Warriors. Still, many star players are in action, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jayson Tatum.
Keep reading to see which players I'm queueing up for my best NBA picks and Daily 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 26.5 Points
🔼 Austin Reaves More Than 18.5 Points
🔼 Julius Randle Less Than 6.5 Rebounds
🔼 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander More Than 31.5 Points
🔼 Isaiah Hartenstein More Than 3.5 Assists
🔼 Jrue Holiday More Than 1.5 Threes
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for January 2
Jayson Tatum 26.5 Points: MORE
Jayson Tatum is having another brilliant season for the defending champion Boston Celtics, averaging 28.3 points on 36.9% shooting from 3-point land. Although he’s scored less than 26.5 points in three straight, there’s reason to believe Tatum will show out tonight against the Timberwolves.
First, Jaylen Brown is questionable with shoulder soreness. If he doesn’t play, Tatum will welcome an even bigger workload. Secondly, the former Duke standout is averaging 31.5 PPG on the road compared to 25.8 at home. Tatum scored 26 versus Minnesota earlier in the season and averaged 38.5 against them in two appearances in 2023-24.
Austin Reaves 18.5 Points: MORE
Austin Reaves has turned into quite the player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s now a regular starter and has completely flourished in the role, averaging 18.3 PPG while putting up wild numbers as of late.
The guard has scored more than 18.5 in three outings in a row, dropping 35, 26, and 26. The 35-piece came against the Cavs on New Year’s Eve, who are of course one of the best teams in the league. Reaves is playing with boatloads of confidence at the moment, which will continue against the lowly Portland Trail Blazers.
Julius Randle 6.5 Rebounds: LESS
Julius Randle is already proving his worth to the Minnesota Timberwolves after the blockbuster trade that sent him to Minneapolis. However, he’s averaging his lowest number of rebounds per game since coming into the league, grabbing just 6.9 per night.
The big man has compiled less than 6.5 boards in back-to-back games against the Thunder and Spurs, two teams who are strong on the glass. It doesn’t get any easier tonight as the Timberwolves clash with the Celtics, who rank fifth in rebounding. It will be a quiet performance for Randle on the glass.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31.5 Points: MORE
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to show why he’s one of the best around and the run he’s on right now is insane, erupting for more than 31.5 points in four of his last five. That includes three games where the guard dropped 40+.
SGA just torched the Timberwolves for 40 points on NYE and also dropped 45 last week in a nail-biter win over the Pacers. The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing the Clippers, the same team that traded him away for Paul George. Expect Gilgeous-Alexander to ball like he did the last time these teams met when he dropped 45 in 39 minutes.
Isaiah Hartenstein 3.5 Assists: MORE
Isaiah Hartenstein has made a major impact for the Thunder since making his season debut. Not only is he a force inside, but the big man is also a very talented passer for a center and is averaging 3.9 dimes per contest.
The former Clipper has dished out more than 3.5 assists in three straight against the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Hornets. The Clips also just allowed nearly 40 dimes in their last game. Hartenstein will get his teammates involved.
Jrue Holiday 1.5 Threes: MORE
Jrue Holiday has always been a decent 3-point shooter, hovering around 39% for his career from long range. While he’s draining just 34% of his treys this season, Holiday has sunk more than 1.5 in two straight and four of eight.
Again, the C’s could be without Brown, which also means more opportunities for Holiday. For what it’s worth, he’s averaging 1.9 makes on 5.4 attempts in 2024-25. I do not think it will be hard for Holiday to drain more than 1.5 triples tonight.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
Bad day to have a hyphenated name in the @Pick6 lineup
— Jon Metler (@JonMetler) January 2, 2025
⬆️ Rui Hachimura
⬆️ Dalton Knecht
⬆️ Myles Turner
⬇️ Trayce Jackson-Davis
⬇️ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
⬇️ Deni Avdija https://t.co/01Aeog45B5 pic.twitter.com/b44AQmh4OM
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