A select five-game NBA slate is on tap for Thursday, with ten teams set to tip off across the association. Still, plenty of big names are expected to take the floor, including Trae Young, LeBron James, and Anthony Edwards. With so few 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:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at WAS ($10,500)
The Lakers have gotten into a groove, winning six of their last eight contests. Unfortunately for the Purple and Gold, Anthony Davis is set to miss at least a week of play due to an abdominal strain. Without Los Angeles’ superstar center, LeBron James should take on an even larger role on both ends of the floor. This season, the ageless wonder has put up 23.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 9.0 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field (38.1 3PT%).
On most nights, James warrants placement at the top of these fantasy basketball rankings. That’s especially true on Thursday against basketball’s worst team, the Wizards. This season, Washington has allowed the most points per game (122.4) and rebounds per game (57.0) to opponents. To make matters worse, the team has also given up the most fantasy points to power forwards. The only question for tonight is whether this game remains close. Even if The King sits for most of the fourth quarter, there should be plenty of room to produce in this one.
*James (foot) is questionable to play tonight vs. the Wizards.
2. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic at POR ($8,600)
Since Paolo Banchero’s return on January 10th, the Magic have lost seven of nine games. However, that hasn’t necessarily been the forward’s fault. During that time, he’s posted 21.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists. While a 40.4% field goal percentage (34.8 3PT%) is subpar, an offensively challenged Orlando squad often pushes the 22-year-old into taking contested shots.
The Magic have a prime opportunity to pick up a win tonight. The Trail Blazers possess one of the NBA’s worst defenses, surrendering the eighth-most points per game to opponents (117.3). Granted, when these teams last met on January 23rd, Orlando scored just 79 points. Still, it’s difficult to see a repeat performance in the span of a week. Given the lack of high-end forwards available, Banchero deserves consideration in most fantasy lineups.
3. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets at MEM ($8,300)
The Amen Thompson hype has never been louder, and for good reason. Houston’s talented two-way wing has broken out in a big way this month, capped off by a game-winning shot in Boston on Monday. Since January 1st, the forward has produced 18.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists. On the other end of the floor, he’s chipped in with 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks during that time.
In many ways, Thursday’s matchup is the perfect spot for Thompson. Memphis plays at the fastest pace in the NBA (104.48), often leading to a more chaotic game script for both teams. It’s no surprise that the Grizzlies rank last in turnovers per game (16.7), as their uptempo offense lends itself to sloppy mistakes. A savvy ballhawk can take advantage of this weakness and pick up some easy points in transition. Thompson isn’t very refined on offense, but he’s an elite athlete that can thrive in this type of game. Expect the former lottery pick to wreak havoc on both ends of the floor tonight.
