Wednesday’s eleven-game slate of NBA action means there’s plenty of ways to find value in season-long fantasy and DFS formats. Yet even with so many matchups, there’s plenty of risk, so making the right choice is essential. Here are three guards I’m looking to back tonight.
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1. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks at WAS ($9,900)
Even at his worst, Trae Young still finds a way to produce. Despite shooting an abysmal two for 15 from the field on Monday night, the Hawks point guard managed to dish out thirteen assists and pull down eight rebounds. It wasn’t the kind of night most were hoping for, but it showcased the former All Star’s sky-high floor for fantasy production.
Now, Ice Trae will have the opportunity to redeem himself against the Wizards, the team he played two days ago. Despite the recent shooting performance, Young has averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 22 career games vs. Washington. There’s no reason to think he won’t bounce back tonight with that kind of track record.
2. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets vs. TOR ($9,600)
Much like Young, LaMelo Ball’s offensive prowess makes him one of the NBA’s most reliable fantasy options (when he plays). It helps that the Hornets run through the former second overall pick; Ball’s usage rate of 34.9% is the highest in the league. So far this season, he’s averaging a whopping 31.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 7.0 rebounds per game.
The Raptors, despite their 1-3 record, aren’t the easiest opponent; they’ve slowed down guards such as Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey this year. Therefore, it’s tough to place Ball at the top of this list. Still, I’m willing to bet that an elite combination of talent and workload leads to another monster stat line for Charlotte’s face of the franchise.
3. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks at MIA ($8,600)
The Cavaliers managed to keep Jalen Brunson in check on Monday night, holding the All-NBA selection to just 21 points on eight of 24 shooting. That shouldn’t come as a surprise; the superstar typically gets off to a slow start to begin the season. A rivalry game in Miami could be just what the Knicks’ point guard needs to get back on track.
Since signing with New York three years ago, Brunson has averaged a solid 23.0 points and 6.3 assists in six games against the Heat. That doesn’t include his tour de force showing in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals. While it’s never easy to score against Miami, they are giving up the tenth-most DK fantasy points to opposing guards. I can’t envision Brunson having two letdown games in a row.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Zone Special [$100K 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.
