The All-Star break came to a close last night, with more than half of the NBA taking the court. Several other teams will suit up for the first time in over a week on Friday, with nine different games tipping off. Plenty of superstars are set to play, including Cade Cunningham, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Karl-Anthony Towns. With 18 squads 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. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks at WAS ($9,500)
*Note: Lillard (injury management) has been ruled OUT for tonight’s game vs. the Wizards.
Following a comeback win over the Clippers, Milwaukee will look to string together two straight victories on Friday night. As always, most of the attention will be on Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Damian Lillard is more than capable of carrying a quality Bucks offense. This season, the point guard has averaged 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game (44.6 FPTS). Despite his 2-for-15 shooting night vs. Los Angeles, the veteran is a good bet to bounce back this evening.
Normally, the second leg of a back-to-back wouldn’t favor the away team. However, the Bucks get to face a Wizards team that couldn’t defend to save their lives. This season, Washington has allowed the most points (122.4), three-pointers (14.6) and third-most assists (29.0) per game to opponents. There’s a chance this one gets ugly, but there should be enough time for Milwaukee’s dynamic duo to produce fantasy points. Lillard, even as the second-most expensive guard available, is an easy first pick for Friday’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons at SAS ($10,300)
A resurgent Pistons squad is poised for a playoff berth this season, currently ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps more than any other team in the NBA, Detroit’s hopes lies almost entirely with Cade Cunningham. The former first overall pick has emerged as a bonafide superstar this season, currently averaging 50.1 fantasy points per game. Impressive counting stats (25.0 PPG, 9.2 APG, 6.2 RPG) led to the guard’s first-ever All-Star Game selection.
The fourth-year pro is a threat to go off on any opponent, especially one weakened by injuries. San Antonio was dealt a brutal blow on Thursday, announcing that Victor Wembanyama would miss the rest of the season due to a blood clot. Without their standout center, the current league leader in blocks, the Spurs are far weaker on defense. Expect Cunningham to take advantage and deliver a masterful performance on Friday.
3. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks vs. NOP ($9,300)
It’s been quite the month for the Mavericks, who traded away Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis-only for the center get injured almost immediately. AD’s adductor strain is one of many injuries down low for Dallas, who have also lost Daniel Gafford (knee) and Dereck Lively II (ankle). That doesn’t mean all hope is lost; Kyrie Irving is still capable of carrying this offense. Through 44 games, the point guard has posted 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists (40.9 FPTS). Those numbers have increased over the last few weeks without a reliable co-star on the court.
The Mavs will get an easy start to the second half when they host the 13-win Pelicans. New Orleans has struggled mightily on defense, surrendering the sixth-most points (117.9) and the fourth-most assists (28.7) per game. When these two teams last met on January 29th, Irving dropped 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Another stat-stuffing outing would make the nine-time All-Star incredibly valuable for fantasy managers tonight.
