It’s an eight-game, sixteen-team slate of NBA action on Thursday. That includes marquee matchups such as Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets taking on the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers in Cleveland. With plenty stars across the association taking the floor, 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 $250K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks at WAS ($11,200)
Clocking in at the top of the list, once again, is Luka Doncic. The superstar made his return from a wrist injury four days ago, and he hasn’t missed a beat. During that time, Dallas’ face of the franchise has put up 36.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists, leading the team to two straight wins. Even with another All-Star in Kyrie Irving, Doncic’s workload remains massive; he’s third in the league in usage rate (33.2%).
With such a high floor for production, there may be no safer bet in fantasy basketball, regardless of position. That’s especially true tonight, where the biggest risk to Doncic’s production might be his own team. The Mavericks travel to Washington, taking on a Wizards team allowing the second-most points in the NBA (122.8 PPG). Even on the road, Dallas enters the contest as 14.5-point favorites, which means this one could be over by the start of the fourth quarter. Still, there’s simply too much to like about this matchup; Luka is talented enough to flirt with triple-double numbers by halftime.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at TOR ($10,100)
Trailing just behind Doncic is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an early MVP candidate in his own right. Even while playing alongside a stacked roster, the guard is the clear top option in Oklahoma City. Through 21 games, he’s averaging 29.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists, as well as a combined 2.2 steals and blocks. With so many ways to hurt you, SGA has a strong claim as the game’s most well-rounded player.
The Canadian-born superstar will get a homecoming on Thursday when the Thunder travel to Toronto. This season, the Raptors are giving up 116.5 points per game, sixth-worst in the NBA. The last five times these teams have met, Gilgeous-Alexander has generated 24.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.6 assists on 50.6% shooting from the field. Against a significantly worse version of his hometown team, expect another masterful performance from SGA.
3. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns at NOP ($9,400)
Kevin Durant is out of commission once again, this time due to a left ankle sprain. That leaves Devin Booker with the keys to Phoenix’s offense for another week, if not longer. It’s been a predictably solid season for the four-time All-Star, as he’s posted 25.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists. With KD out of the picture, expect the 28-year-old’s scoring to go up.
Thursday’s opponent should have both Booker and fantasy managers salivating. Against the Pelicans, the Suns star has dropped 46.8 points over his last four games, including three straight 50-point outings. This season, New Orleans is giving up the sixth-most DK fantasy points to opposing guards. Despite having the third-highest price at his position, Booker could deliver massive value in your lineups tonight.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K 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.
