It’s a loaded eight-game, sixteen-team Wednesday night in the NBA. With so many stars across the association playing, narrowing down a select group of big names to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is no easy task. Here are the three guards at the top of tonight’s slate:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. POR ($10,500)
Fresh off of a disappointing 110-104 loss to the Spurs, the Thunder will be eager to get back on the court on Wednesday night. Although Oklahoma City came up short, it wasn’t due to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; the All-NBA talent recorded 32 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals. So far, the Canadian is averaging 28.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Even though the Trail Blazers have won three straight games, they’re an ideal matchup for OKC. This season, Portland is giving up the fifth-most DK fantasy points to opposing guards, ranking below 20th in three-pointers (14.1 3PM) and assists (27.8 APG) allowed. When these two squads last played on November 1st, SGA put up 30 points in just 28 minutes. Anything close to an encore would deliver plenty of fantasy points in any lineup.
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors vs. ATL ($9,100)
Even though four guards are priced above him, Steph Curry is the best big name value on tonight’s board. Assuming he plays (currently listed as probable), the two-time MVP has a juicy matchup awaiting him. This season, the Hawks have allowed the fourth-most DK fantasy points to guards, thanks in large part to one of the league’s worst perimeter defenses. Opposing teams are shooting 39.7% from three-point range against Atlanta, the highest mark in the NBA.
It’s been another predictably great season for Curry. Across ten games, he’s posted 23.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists on 47.9% shooting from the field. Against a team with major issues defending from long-range, expect the greatest shooter in league history to take full advantage. This has all the ingredients of another vintage performance for the future Hall of Famer.
3. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers vs. ORL ($9,600)
James Harden, even at 35 years old, is one of the NBA’s few matchup-proof players. The volume he demands on a Clippers team without Kawhi Leonard is simply too large to ignore, regardless of the opponent. This season, The Beard is averaging 20.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists, leading Los Angeles as both a scorer and creator.
Harden’s control of the Clippers’ offense will be put to the test tonight when the team hosts Orlando. So far, the Magic are allowing just 102.2 points per game, the fewest in the league. That level of defensive prowess is enough to knock the ten-time All Star to the bottom of the list, but he should still generate plenty of production on Wednesday.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
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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.
