It’s a unique day for DraftKings NBA Pick 6 as the only game in town in the Rising Stars Challenge.
This year’s format returns the four-team tournament made up of rookies, sophomores, and G League prospects where teams will race to a target score of 40 in the semifinals.
Our only option is more or less than points, so we really have to break down the individual rosters to find an edge.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 Picks for Rising Stars games
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.
🔼🔽 Amen Thompson more than 6.5 points
🔼🔽 Dalton Knecht less than 5.5 points
🔼🔽 Gradey Dick more than 5.5 points
🔼🔽 Bryce McGowens more than 3.5 points
🔼🔽 Mac McClung less than 5.5 points
🔼🔽 Stephon Castle more than 5.5 points
Click on each pick to read full analysis.
DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball lineup for February 14
Amen Thompson Points: MORE than 6.5
Amen Thompson is lifting off in his sophomore season with the Houston Rockets. He is averaging 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season but the 22-year-old has taken it to another level since being inserted in the starting lineup at the beginning of January.
Dalton Knecht Points: LESS than 5.5
It’s been a weird week for Dalton Knecht. The Los Angeles Lakers rookie was traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the package for Mark Williams. Met up with his new team and was then sent back to the Lakers after a failed physical from Williams, so it will be interesting to see how locked in he is for this Rising Stars Challenge.
Knecht has been a streaky shooter all year and he may not have a great opportunity to find his rhythm on Team Chris. With a roster that features Stephon Castle, Zach Edey, Keyonte George, and Jaylen Wells, Knecht could be the fourth or fifth option. Less than 5.5 points for me here.
Gradey Dick Points: MORE than 5.5
Gradey Dick may be one of the more overlooked players in this year’s Rising Stars Challenge. The Raptors shooting guard is having a breakout sophomore season averaging 15 points per game. He’s been effective in both catch and shoot and off the dribble and he may be the most reliable scorer on Team Tim Hardaway.
Additionally, he’ll face off against Team Chris Mullin in the semifinals and Mullin’s squad is lacking in perimeter defenders. Ride Dick for More Than 5.5 points.
Bryce McGowens Points: MORE than 3.5
Mac McClung will get all the hype for this G League team but it’s Bryce McGowens who has my attention for this entry. While McClung’s More or Less Points is sitting at 5.5, McGowens is at a much more reasonable 3.5.
McGowens is currently on a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers and is the second-leading scorer in the G League this season averaging 27.5 points while shooting 48.1% from the floor, including 35.1% from 3-point range. He should be one of the primary bucket-getters for Team Jeremy Lin.
Mac McClung Points: LESS than 5.5
Speaking of Mac McClung. I think his More or Less than points number is a little too elevated because he is the highest-profile name on this G League squad. Yes, he is having a solid season scoring 24.5 points per game in the G League, but this Team Mitch defense will be the best in the Risin Stars Challenge.
They are long, athletic and can switch all over the court, making it hard for the undersized McClung to find space to operate. We’re all more concerned about his performance in the dunk contest anyways.
Stephon Castle Points: MORE than 5.5
I do think there are too many mouths to feed on Team Chris Mullins’ but someone needs to go for more than points and I like Stephon Castle. The San Antonio Spurs rookie is a ball-dominant guard who takes more field goal attempts than anyone else on this team. So, there’s a good chance Castle gets his. It will also be run to see him run a pick-and-roll with Zach Edey of the Grizzlies.
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