It’s a relatively busy day in the Association, with nine games on the slate.
One matchup in particular — the Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets — stands out as an anchor for our lineup today. We're foregoing the top names like Jayson Tatum, though, and focusing on a pair of versatile guards in Derrick White and Fred VanVleet, among others.
Continue 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.
🔼 Derrick White More Than 15.5 Points
🔽 Fred VanVleet Less Than 6.5 Assists
🔼 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander More Than 30.5 Points
🔽 Victor Wembanyama Less Than 11.5 Rebounds
🔼 Jabari Smith Jr. More Than 1.5 Threes
🔼 De'Aaron Fox More Than 26.5 Points
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for January 3
Derrick White 15.5 Points: MORE
Derrick White is a very important piece for the Boston Celtics as he’s proven over the last couple of seasons and during their championship run last year. The guard has started all but one game for Boston in 2024-25, averaging 17.1 points.
The former Colorado Buffalo has dropped more than 15.5 points in six of his last eight outings and erupted for 26 on Thursday evening in a win over the Timberwolves where the C’s were without Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. An increased workload could be in play tonight, too.
Fred VanVleet 6.5 Assists: LESS
Fred VanVleet isn’t scoring at the same level as he did in his Toronto Raptors days, but the guard is still a key player for the young Houston Rockets, who are led by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. And while FVV is still dishing dimes at a high level with six assists per night, he’s up against the Celtics' solid perimeter defense tonight.
The PG has compiled less than 6.5 assists in four of his last six appearances and has averaged less than tonight’s total at home.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.5 Points: MORE
I’m all aboard the SGA train. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is truly such a talented player who can score in so many ways. The Canadian is averaging 31.2 points per night and has himself in the MVP conversation once again.
He’s erupted for more than 30.5 points in four of the last six, scoring 40+ in three of those contests, including 45 vs. the Pacers on Boxing Day. The Oklahoma City Thunder standout also just posted 29 on Thursday evening against the Clippers, which is barely below the total. He’ll keep it up.
Victor Wembanyama 11.5 Rebounds: LESS
Budding San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has stepped it up in Year 2 and continues to show why he’s destined for greatness. He’s averaging 25.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. We’ll focus on his ability to control the glass here. The total tonight is set at 11.5, which is a tad steep.
Wemby has brought down less than 11.5 rebounds in six of the last seven games, rarely hitting double digits of late. His scoring numbers have been great, though. I just don’t think you’ll see him grab a ton of rebounds against Nikola Jokic & Co.
Jabari Smith Jr. 1.5 Threes: MORE
Jabari Smith Jr. was seen as a phenomenal shooter coming out of Auburn a few years ago. While he’s only shooting at a clip around 35% from long range this season, there’s value in this entry. The total is set at only 1.5 and Smith has drained more than that in seven of the last nine games.
He’s averaging 1.7 makes on 4.8 attempts per night. I don’t think it will be hard for him to hit two made triples against Boston, especially because he shoots it a lot better at home (36%).
De'Aaron Fox 26.5 Points: MORE
The Sacramento Kings may be struggling but De'Aaron Fox is showing out, averaging 26.8 points. The shifty guard has dropped more than 26.5 in three straight, erupting for 35 against the 76ers and 33 against the Mavericks.
Even though he posted averages of 23.3 PPG versus Memphis last season in three outings, Fox is playing with boatloads of confidence and the Grizz are without Ja Morant.
Jon Metler's DraftKings NBA Pick6 lineup for today
The @Pick6 lineup for Friday!!!
— Jon Metler (@JonMetler) January 3, 2025
⬆️ Austin Reaves: primary defender should be Trae Young
⬆️ Dejounte Murray: Bilalcatraz is out with an injury
⬆️ Domantas Sabonis: 5.5 is always a number that has your attention with Sabonis
⬆️ CJ McCollum: teammates will be able to convert… https://t.co/yPMd1svcvx pic.twitter.com/xBlbIoGBTh
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