It’s a seven-game, fourteen-team slate of NBA action on Saturday. That includes marquee matchups such as Ja Morant and the Grizzlies heading to Boston to take on Jayson Tatum and the defending champs. 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 $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,200)
The engine that makes the Western Conference’s best team run smoothly is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City’s superstar is off to another great start, putting up 29.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 50.7% shooting from the field. The MVP candidate has been impressive on both ends of the floor, tallying 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks as well.
With so many ways for SGA to produce, he’s as safe a bet as there is in the association. However, his ceiling is raised tonight against a miserable Pelicans defense. This season, New Orleans is giving up the fifth-most DK fantasy points to opposing guards. The Thunder might win this one by 20 points, but Gilgeous-Alexander is good enough to deliver a monster stat line before the game gets out of hand.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks at TOR ($11,200)
For what might be the first (and last) time this season, Luka Doncic isn’t the number one guard on the board. Still, that’s not a knock on the young superstar, but more a reflection of his higher price compared to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This season, Doncic is averaging 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists, shooting 45.0% (33.9% 3PT) from the field.
The Raptors have shown improvement on defense since Scottie Barnes returned from injury. That doesn’t mean this group is equipped to stop one of the game’s greatest scorers. Over his last five matchups against Toronto, Doncic has scored at least 30 points four different times, including a triple-double masterpiece the last time these two teams met in February. The volume and otherworldly skillset makes Luka a player worth paying up for on Saturday.
3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons at NYK ($9,600)
To fill out the last slot on the list, let’s turn to Detroit. Although Cade Cunningham has shown plenty of promise after four years in the NBA, he’s taken his game to another level this season. Through 20 games, the guard is generating 23.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 9.1 assists, leading an otherwise lackluster Pistons roster to upset wins vs. the Heat, Lakers and Pacers (to name a few).
The former number one overall pick will have his hands full tonight when he takes on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This season, the ‘Bockers are giving up the sixth-fewest DK fantasy points to opposing guards. However, Cunningham has done well in this spot before, putting up 23.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists over his last five games against New York. Cade’s role as the undisputed 1A in Detroit gives him plenty of upside; consider this budding star in your fantasy lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K 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.
