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 guards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. CLE ($10,500)
Sitting at .500, the Pistons find themselves in playoff contention in a top-heavy Eastern Conference. Leading the charge has been Cade Cunningham, who was named to his first career All-Star game last week. The selection was made for good reason; the 23-year-old has been phenomenal this season. Through 46 games, he’s averaged 25.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 9.5 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field (50.8 FPTS).
Detroit faces one of its biggest tests of the season on Wednesday. The Cavaliers have allowed just the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards this season, thanks to a stifling perimeter defense. Cunningham has been slowed down before in this matchup, averaging 37.9 fantasy points over two prior meetings with Cleveland. Still, the fourth-year pro has one of the safest floors in the NBA due to his massive workload. That makes it difficult not to place him on top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers vs. MIA ($10,000)
The 76ers welcomed back Joel Embiid on Tuesday following a month of recovery from a knee injury. It was good timing, as the team narrowly beat out the Mavericks, 118-116. Tonight, the second leg of a back-to-back, will be a different challenge. The oft-injured Embiid is a sure bet to sit out, leaving control of the offense with Tyrese Maxey. Philadelphia’s dynamic score-first guard has proven he can serve as a top option all season, with little help. Through 42 games, he’s posted 27.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 44.6% from the field (46.8 FPTS).
Now, without much competition for touches, it’s difficult to envision Maxey having a letdown game. Wednesday’s opponent, the Heat, are a tough out, having given up the sixth-fewest points per game this season (108.7). Still, Philly’s young All-Star recorded 29.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists over his last four meetings with Miami. With Embiid out of the picture, the sky is the limit for this talented 24-year-old. Even at a hefty salary of $10,000, Maxey makes a ton of sense in fantasy lineups.
3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. CHI ($9,800)
This season, the Timberwolves have been an enigma. Following an impressive stretch of wins, Minnesota dropped two straight games, including a home loss to the dreadful Wizards. In spite of his team’s inconsistency, Anthony Edwards remains one of the NBA’s most dangerous players. This season, the guard has put up 26.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists (44.5 FPTS). Most impressive has been the 23-year-old’s shooting, knocking down 42.1% of his 9.8 three-point attempts per game.
As if those numbers weren’t promising enough, Edwards gets to face one of the association’s worst defenses tonight. The Bulls have allowed the second-most points per game (121.0) and the second-most assists per game (29.1) to opponents. Chicago has also given up the eighth-most fantasy points to point guards. An All-NBA talent such as Edwards should have no trouble putting up numbers in this one. The two-time All-Star has unlimited potential heading into Wednesday’s contest.
