A nine-game NBA slate is on tap for Thursday, with eighteen teams set to tip off across the association. Plenty of big names are expected to take the floor, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. 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 forwards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. MIA ($11,700)
Following last night’s postponed game in New Orleans, Giannis Antetokounmpo will enter Thursday on three days of rest. It’s not as if the eight-time All-Star needed much help. Through 35 games this season, he’s posted 31.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 blocks. A usage rate of 36.0%, second-highest in the NBA, has given the forward a massive fantasy floor.
What makes Antetokounmpo so dominant is his consistency; he’s gone under 50.0 DK fantasy points in just nine games. A good, not great, Miami defense will look to keep the Greek Freak in check tonight. However, the two-time MVP has scored 33 points or more in three of his last four outings vs. the Heat. There’s no question as to who the number one forward is on Thursday’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers vs. BOS ($10,200)
With respect to the rest of their roster, the Lakers are a two-man show. The dynamic duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James are talented enough to keep Los Angeles in playoff contention, despite several glaring weaknesses. The latter of the two, even at 40 years old, has enjoyed one of his best seasons. Through 38 games, LBJ has put up 23.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field (39.8 3PT%).
James always seems to play his best when the lights are brightest. That makes tonight’s battle with the Celtics the perfect spot to back the King. Over his last five games vs. Boston, LeBron has averaged 28.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. Anything close to that stat line would have the future Hall of Famer contending with Giannis for tonight’s top spot. Even at a five-figure salary, this might be one of Thursday’s better values at forward.
3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics at LAL ($9,800)
To win the second leg of a road back-to-back, the Celtics will need Jayson Tatum at his best. That hasn’t been the case recently; over the forward’s last five outings, he hasn’t surpassed his season-long average of 52.0 DK fantasy points per game. Still, the five-time All-Star has produced 27.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists this season. Numbers such as those suggest a return to form is likelier than not.
A bounce-back could come as soon as tonight in Los Angeles. The Lakers aren’t a cakewalk, having given up the 11th-fewest DK fantasy points to opposing power forwards. However, Tatum has produced 31.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists during his last five meetings with the Purple and Gold. Expect Boston’s superstar to rise to the challenge once again in primetime.
