It’s a loaded five-game, ten-team slate of NBA action on Saturday. With plenty 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 board:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
1. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks vs. UTA ($9,700)
Even without Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have been able to thrive, thanks in large part to the play of Kyrie Irving. The eight-time All-Star has been terrific this season, putting up 24.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Since Doncic’s injury, the former NBA champion has been a steady presence for Dallas, producing at least 20 points and six assists over his last three contests.
While Irving has been terrific lately, he hasn’t had the kind of monster performance we’ve become accustomed to. That could change on Saturday against a terrible Jazz defense that has given up the third-most DK fantasy points to opposing guards. In his last five games vs. Utah, Kyrie has posted 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists. This is a spot that the future Hall of Famer is poised to dominate in.
2. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons at PHI ($9,800)
The 9-12 Pistons are respectable for the first time in years, and much of the credit needs to go to Cade Cunningham. While the former number one overall pick has been a stat-stuffer since entering the league, he’s taken his game to another level this season. So far, the Oklahoma State product is averaging 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game.
As of late, Cunningham has been especially impressive as a passer, dishing out ten or more assists in six straight games. While it’s difficult to bank on a double-double every night, it’s clear that this is a player with an incredibly high fantasy floor. While Philadelphia has given up the fewest DK fantasy points to guards, there’s no way to leave Detroit’s budding star off of this list.
3. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks vs. WAS ($9,500)
After a disappointing first season in Milwaukee, Damian Lillard has returned to form this season. The former Trail Blazer has gone off to start the year, with improved numbers across the board (26.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 7.7 APG) on solid 44.1% shooting from the field. It helps that head coach Doc Rivers is willing to play the thirteen-year veteran for nearly 36 minutes a night.
Saturday’s matchup is a dream for any point guard. Washington’s defense is one of the NBA’s worst, surrendering the second-most points (123.1 PPG) and the eighth-most assists (27.2 APG) to opponents. This one could be over by the fourth quarter, but that’s still enough time for Lillard to deliver plenty of production for your fantasy lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K 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.
