A nine-game NBA slate is on tap for Wednesday, with eighteen teams set to tip off across the association. Plenty of big names are expected to take the floor, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LaMelo Ball, and Jayson Tatum. With so many stars in action, narrowing down who to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is a difficult task. Here are the three guards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. UTA ($10,500)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t your typical elite guard in the modern NBA. Decent, not great, three-point shooting (35.0 3PT%) and solid, if unspectacular, athleticism don’t scream ‘MVP candidate’ on paper. However, the Canadian has a strong claim as the most well-rounded player in basketball. SGA has recorded 31.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season while tallying 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks on the other end of the floor.
The two-time All-Star doesn’t need any help to put together a monster stat line. Still, a date with the Jazz certainly helps. This season, Utah is allowing the second-most DK fantasy points to opposing point guards. The only caveat for Gilgeous-Alexander? This game could easily be out of hand by the start of the fourth quarter. Assuming things stay somewhat competitive, the 26-year-old should have no trouble finishing atop these fantasy basketball rankings tonight.
2. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets at MEM ($10,700)
It’s difficult to get too excited over the Hornets, but LaMelo Ball is giving fans something to root for. On an offense bereft of talent, the guard has the green light from just about anywhere on the court. That’s especially true now that forward Brandon Miller (wrist) could potentially miss the remainder of the season. Through 28 games, Ball has put up 29.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.6 assists. That’s given the former Rookie of the Year an average of 51.4 DK fantasy points.
Charlotte’s opponent, the Grizzlies, have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to point guards this season. However, Memphis also plays at the fastest pace in the NBA (104.81). That’s perfect for a player like Ball, whose production is dependent on volume rather than efficiency. With little competition for touches, the 23-year-old has a clear path to the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons at ATL ($10,200)
There are plenty of factors behind a surprising 22-21 Pistons start, none bigger than Cade Cunningham. Detroit’s leading man has been superb this season, averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 9.3 assists. The former number one overall pick has thrived as a scorer recently, scoring 20 points in six straight games.
The 23-year-old is usually a good pick on any given night, but his upside is higher against poor defenses. That includes the Hawks, who have allowed the fifth-most points (118.8) and the fifth-most DK fantasy points to point guards. When these two teams met last November, Cunningham notched a 22-point, 11-rebound, 13-assist triple-double. A repeat performance could make him a better option than the first two names on this list.
