A week into the new year, the NBA’s superstar pecking order is beginning to take shape. Big names, including Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, and Trae Young are set to take the floor tonight. That makes narrowing down a select group to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats a difficult task. Here are the three centers at the top of Tuesday’s board:
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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. BOS ($12,500)
Nikola Jokic, the best player on Earth, continues to produce. The big man is off to another stellar start, putting up 31.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 9.7 assists on 55.3/47.3/80.6 shooting splits. To absolutely no one’s surprise, he leads the league in triple-doubles with 14; the next-closest player is LeBron James, who only has eight.
Tonight’s matchup won’t be easy; the Celtics are giving up the sixth-fewest points (108.3) and the third-fewest DK fantasy points to opposing centers. Still, over Jokic’s last three games vs. Boston, he’s averaged 32.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.7 assists. Given the three-time MVP’s unmatched combination of skill and volume, he’s an easy choice as the most expensive player on Tuesday’s slate.
2. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers at DAL ($10,500)
Lost in the shuffle of Jokic’s dominance is another outstanding campaign from Anthony Davis. The Brow has posted 26.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists on efficient 52.3% shooting from the field, emerging as Los Angeles’ best player even with LeBron James playing terrific basketball. AD has been just as good on the defensive end of the floor, recording 2.2 blocks and 1.3 steals.
With so many ways for Davis to make his presence felt, it’s difficult for him to have a letdown game in DFS formats. It also helps that he’s been on an absolute tear as of late, generating at least 59 DK fantasy points in each of his last four outings. There’s no reason to believe that won’t continue tonight against the Mavericks. This season, Dallas is giving up the third-most DK fantasy points to centers. At $2,000 less than Jokic, AD is one of the better big-name values available.
3. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets at WAS ($9,300)
The Rockets have shocked basketball fans and pundits alike, racing out to a 23-12 record entering the new year. While Houston has no clearly defined ‘superstar’, the title of best player would likely go to Alperen Sengun. The 22-year-old center is making a strong case to reach his first All-Star game, averaging 18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists through 35 appearances this season.
Nothing screams ‘easy points’ more than a date with the Wizards and their porous defense. This season, Washington is allowing not only the most points (121.8), but the most rebounds (56.7) and the second-most DK fantasy points to opposing centers. If that all screams too good to be true, it’s for good reason. The Rockets are well-positioned for a blowout, potentially cutting Sengun’s night short before he can deliver a truly jaw-dropping stat line. Still, the big man is talented enough to deliver for fantasy managers, even on a modest workload. Against this opponent, it’s simply impossible not to place Houston’s center on this list.
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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.
