With just days until the All-Star break, NBA fans will be treated to a massive 15-game slate on Wednesday. Most of the sport’s biggest names, including Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Nikola Jokic are expected to suit up. With every team in action, narrowing down who to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats isn’t easy. Here are the three guards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. MIA ($10,800)
Don’t look now, but the 43-9 Thunder are on the verge of something special. As things stand right now, Oklahoma City has the best net rating in NBA history (13.5). A number like that is a result of excellence on both ends of the floor. In that regard, OKC takes after its franchise player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has posted 32.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 52.8% from the field (53.3 FPTS). On defense, he’s tallied 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
The Canadian’s dominant two-way skills give him one of the safest fantasy floors in basketball. Things might not come easy for the MVP candidate on Wednesday against a stingy Miami defense. However, the Heat have allowed the 17th-most DK fantasy points to opposing point guards. This isn’t an ideal spot for Gilgeous-Alexander, but it’s impossible to place someone this dominant any lower on this list. Despite his high price, OKC’s do-it-all superstar is easily the top guard on tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers at UTA ($10,700)
At long last, Luka is back…just not in the same uniform we’re used to. Following the blockbuster Anthony Davis-Doncic deal with the Mavericks, Los Angeles has its newest superstar in tow. In his first game since suffering a calf injury in December, the Laker tallied 14 points, five rebounds and four assists vs. Utah on Monday. Those numbers, recorded over just 24 minutes of play, are bound to increase going forward. This season, the five-time All-Star has averaged 27.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game (54.9 FPTS).
In a rematch on Wednesday, I’m expecting a more impressive showing from Doncic. This season, Utah has surrendered the third-most points per game (119.8) and the second-most fantasy points to point guards. The last time the Slovenian faced the Jazz, he produced 37 points, seven rebounds and nine assists (61.75 FPTS). Even on a limited workload, Luka has enough upside to warrant consideration from fantasy managers. Still, the price might not reflect the level of risk in backing the 25-year-old tonight.
3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons at CHI ($10,400)
On any other night, Cade Cunningham could find himself as number one on this list. Still, despite ranking third on Wednesday’s fantasy basketball rankings, Detroit’s franchise cornerstone has become an elite stat stuffer. Through 49 games, the guard has put up 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 9.4 assists (51.0 FPTS). Even during Tuesday’s 40-point Pistons win, the All-Star compiled 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists over 27 minutes.
In a rematch against the Bulls, Cunningham is well-positioned for another standout performance. Chicago employs one of the NBA’s worst defenses, allowing the second-most points (121.0) and assists (29.2) per game. Every game is crucial to a Pistons team looking to reach the postseason. With that in mind, Detroit’s leading man should handle most of the scoring and playmaking duties in this one.
