A four-game NBA slate is set to tip off on Tuesday, with eight teams in action. Still, hoops fans can expect to see several big names, including Cade Cunningham, Kevin Durant and Karl-Anthony Towns. With so many stars suiting up, 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 at CHI ($10,500)
The 27-26 Pistons are alive and well in the Eastern Conference, thanks in large part to Cade Cunningham. The former first overall pick has lived up to his lofty potential, earning his first career All-Star Game selection. This season, the point guard has averaged 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game (51.3 FPTS).
The Pistons should put up plenty of points on Tuesday against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. This season, the Bulls have allowed the second-most points per game (121.0) and the third-most fantasy points to point guards. The last time Cunningham played Chicago on February 2nd, he tallied 22 points and 15 assists (53.25 FPTS). Whether he’s primarily a passer or a scorer, Detroit’s face of the franchise is an easy first pick tonight.
2. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers vs. TOR ($9,800)
It’s still up in the air whether Joel Embiid will suit up for tonight’s contest vs. the Raptors. Assuming the big man plays (never a safe bet), there should still be enough touches for Tyrese Maxey to put up numbers. Over 13 games played with Embiid this season, the guard has posted 25.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists.
Maxey has dominated recently, notching 50 or more fantasy points in four of his last six outings. That streak could easily continue against a Toronto team allowing the fourth-most points (119.3) per game to opponents. The Raptors have struggled to defend the perimeter, surrendering the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Philly’s ‘other’ superstar could finish Tuesday at the top of these fantasy basketball rankings.
3. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks at IND ($8,400)
Jalen Brunson’s scoring gets most of the attention, but he’s become one of the game’s best passers. This season, the two-time All-Star has put up 26.3 points and 7.5 assists while shooting 49.0% from the field (43.4 FPTS). The guard’s all-around skill has been on full display recently, with three 40+ fantasy point performances in the month of February. Even on nights where he struggles to score, New York’s leading man has a slew of talented teammates waiting to shoot on the wings.
Brunson and the Knicks have plenty of history with Tuesday’s opponent, going back to last spring’s Eastern Conference Semifinals. Including that series, the Villanova alum has averaged 30.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists over his last ten meetings with Indiana. On a somewhat thin slate for guards, the 28-year-old offers value as a cheaper guard option.
