It’s a loaded eleven-game slate of NBA Cup action on Tuesday. 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 centers at the top of tonight’s board:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs at PHX ($10,600)
The surprising Spurs have gotten off to an 11-9 start, led by none other than Victor Wembanyama. The 7’3″ menace has continued to dominate on both ends of the court, putting up 24.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a league-leading 3.5 blocks per game. Even if the shots aren’t falling, Wemby’s spectacular all-around game gives him one of the safest fantasy floors in the association.
The Suns have done a decent job of slowing down centers, giving up the fifth-fewest rebounds in the NBA this season (50.3 RPG). However, they’ll be without starting center Jusuf Nurkic tonight due to a thigh injury. A thin rotation will now turn to a combination of veteran Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro to stop San Antonio’s young superstar. That’s bad news for Phoenix, but it’s great news for those who are willing to pay up for Wembanyama.
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks vs. ORL ($9,200)
Normally, Karl-Anthony Towns would be a bargain at this price. The four-time All-Star has dominated in New York, averaging 25.2 points and 13.0 rebounds on 53.3% shooting (45.5% 3PT). While the scoring comes as no surprise, the big man has absolutely dominated on the glass. Look no further than Sunday’s performance vs. the Pelicans, in which KAT nabbed 19 boards in just 25 minutes of play.
However, Towns will face his toughest test of the season on Tuesday when the Knicks host the Magic. Orlando has given up the fewest DK fantasy points to centers this year, ranking in the top five in points in the paint (42.7 PPG) and rebounds (49.9 RPG) allowed to opponents. KAT’s massive volume and role in a dynamic offense makes him an appealing option, but he’s not a slam-dunk tonight.
3. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. UTA ($7,300)
Despite an injury to Chet Holmgren, the Thunder have managed to stay atop the Western Conference. Although the team has survived weeks without a true starting center, the season debut of Isaiah Hartenstein couldn’t have come at a better time. OKC’s prized offseason acquisition was on the bench until November 20th due to a hand fracture, but he’s come out of the gate strong. Through five games, the former Knicks big man has posted 15.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, dropping a double-double in each of his appearances so far.
Few matchups in basketball are more promising than a date with the Jazz. Utah has been bad across the board on defense, giving up the tenth-most DK fantasy points to opposing centers. Considering the roll Hartenstein and the Thunder are on, he’s an investment worth making on Tuesday at such a reasonable price.
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.
