A loaded 11-game slate is set to tip off on Wednesday, with 22 teams in action across the NBA. That means plenty of big names are expected to take the floor, including Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. With so many stars taking the floor, 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 Floor General [$100K to 1st]
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at CHA ($11,800)
After missing Monday night’s loss to the Thunder, Milwaukee is hopeful that Giannis Antetokounmpo can play tonight. The two-time MVP, sidelined due to a knee injury, is the engine that keeps the Bucks going. This season, he’s averaging 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 60.8% from the field (60.4 FPTS). On the other end of the floor, he’s chipped in with 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals per game.
Other than three-point shooting, the Greek Freak can beat any team in any fashion. That should remain true on Wednesday against a solid Hornets defense allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to power forwards. When these two teams last met in November, Antetokounmpo recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists (58.75 FPTS). A similar performance tonight would deliver plenty of value for fantasy managers willing to pay a steep price.
*Antetokounmpo (knee) is questionable to play tonight vs. the Hornets.
2. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors vs. MEM ($9,300)
Following a six-point loss to the Knicks, Toronto will hope to rebound tonight against the Grizzlies. If the Raptors have any hopes of pulling off an upset, they’ll need Scottie Barnes at his best. Despite battling several injuries, the fourth-year pro has been great this season. Through 37 games, he’s put up 20.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists (44.4 FPTS). Add in some defensive stats (1.4 STL, 0.8 BLK), and you have one of the association’s best two-way wings.
Wednesday offers Barnes (and the rest of Toronto’s roster) the perfect opportunity to produce. Memphis plays at the fastest pace in basketball (104.46), leading to plenty of possessions for their opponents. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the Grizzlies have allowed the most fantasy points to small forwards. Toronto’s franchise cornerstone should find several ways to contribute in a potential shootout tonight.
3. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets vs. MIL ($9,200)
LaMelo Ball (ankle) remains out of action, forcing the rest of Charlotte’s roster to step up in his absence. If anyone on the team is capable of serving as a leading scorer, it’s Miles Bridges. The Michigan State alum has posted 24.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists over his last five games. Right now, nobody else on the Hornets warrants any fantasy consideration.
There’s a chance the Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for tonight’s contest. Even if the superstar plays, Bridges should find a way to produce. Charlotte struggles to score, but Milwaukee has surrendered over 120 points in five of its last ten outings. The Hornets should prioritize feeding their best player if they have any hope of scoring consistently. On a thin slate for forwards, Bridges could finish the night atop these fantasy basketball rankings.
