Before the ball drops on 2024, basketball fans will get to close out the year with four marquee NBA matchups. Big names such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant and LeBron James are set to take the floor, so narrowing down a select group to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is a difficult task. Here are the three forwards at the top of Tuesday’s board:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Alley Oop [$50K to 1st]
1. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns vs. MEM ($9,600)
The last two months have been a roller coaster ride for the Suns, as the team has fluctuated winning and losing streaks for most of the season. One stabilizing force has been Kevin Durant. When the 14-time All-Star has played, he’s been Phoenix’s best player. The 36-year-old is putting up elite numbers across the board, averaging 27.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists on efficient 50.9% shooting from the field (41.1 3PT%).
Fresh off of two consecutive 30-point outings, KD will have a chance to reel off another monster stat line tonight. The Grizzlies are giving up the most DK fantasy points to opposing power forwards, as well as the eleventh-most total points to opponents (114.2). Riding a hot streak against a vulnerable defense, Durant deserves to be placed as the top forward on Tuesday’s slate.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers vs. CLE ($9,700)
In poetic fashion, LeBron James will ring in the new year against his old team. With the Cavaliers entering tonight’s contest with an NBA-leading 28-4 record, the Lakers will have their work cut out for them. If Los Angeles has any hope of securing an upset win, it will take a vintage performance from The King. This season, the future Hall of Famer has posted 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 9.0 assists on solid 49.6/35.7/76.7 shooting splits.
Entering a primetime showdown, bet against LBJ at your own risk. Since joining the Lakers in 2018, James is putting up 29.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists in ten games vs. Cleveland. The 39-year-old has been outstanding recently, notching at least 56 DK fantasy points in each of his last three appearances. While the Cavaliers are a difficult group to score against, it’s hard not to place an unstoppable force like LeBron in your fantasy lineups.
*As of Tuesday afternoon, James (illness) is questionable to play tonight vs. the Cavaliers.
3. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies at PHX ($8,700)
Ja Morant is injured once again, placing the Grizzlies offense in flux. Unlike last year’s depleted roster, there are still more than a few players that can keep Memphis competitive going forward. That includes former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., currently enjoying another All-Star caliber campaign. This season, the two-way threat is putting up 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks through 31 games.
Coming off of a brutal three-for-17 shooting night against the Thunder on Sunday, it might not make much sense to place JJJ on this list. That ignores the level of offensive production he’s in store for without Morant. To make things even more enticing, the Suns are giving up the second-most DK fantasy points to opposing power forwards. With so many ways for Jackson Jr. to produce, he’s one of the better values available on Tuesday.
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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 b.armetta) 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.
