Tuesday’s NBA slate has plenty of stars in action, but figuring out who to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats depends on a number of factors. Here are three forwards I’m looking to back tonight.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $750K Opening Tip Off [$200K to 1st]
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics ($9,000)
The leader of the NBA’s best team is set up for plenty of success on Tuesday. Considering All-Star Kristaps Porzingis is out tonight, expect Tatum to dominate the Celtics‘ offense even more than usual. In 25 career games against New York, the face of the franchise is averaging 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
Facing off against a team missing big men Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, there should be plenty of good looks and rebounds down low for the 6’8 Tatum. Even as the most expensive forward on the board, he’s a solid bet with a safe floor.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers ($8,900)
Despite all the offseason talk about a farewell tour with his son, LeBron is still elite. Even at the age of 39 last season, James was a walking triple-double threat, averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. There’s no reason to expect a statistical drop-off, even as the future Hall of Famer enters his 22nd year in the NBA.
A date with Minnesota’s stifling defense isn’t ideal, but the King should find a way to put up big numbers. In two games against the Timberwolves last season, James posted a stat line of 27.5 points, 7.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds.
3. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves ($8,000)
An offseason trade from the Knicks has sent Randle to Minneapolis, where he’ll team up with Anthony Edwards and the new-look T-Wolves. Although he’s one of the league’s biggest enigmas, the two-time All-NBA selection is typically a good bet for some monstrous regular season performances. On a team in need of a reliable second scoring option, the bruising forward should be involved from the jump tonight.
Randle has always enjoyed putting on a show against his old team. In his last five games against the Lakers, he’s averaging 27.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. As the fourth-most expensive option at his position, Julius is a slightly cheaper play if you don’t want to pay up for a superstar.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $750K Opening Tip Off [$200K to 1st]
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
