The NBA’s second half is underway, with all 30 squads having played over the last three days. Eight more teams will take the court on Saturday evening for a select four-game slate. Still, plenty of superstars are set to play, including Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. With so few squads in action, narrowing down who to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats isn’t easy. Here are the three centers at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. LAL ($12,200)
Once again, Nikola Jokic is alone atop this list. There isn’t much that hasn’t been said about the three-time MVP’s greatness at this point. Still, it’s difficult to deny how spectacular he’s been all season. Through 50 games, the Serbian has put up 29.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game (66.0 FPTS). The Joker leads basketball with 25 triple-doubles, more than double LeBron James (ten), the next closest player.
Denver will host an old foe on Saturday when they host the Lakers. The Purple and Gold, having traded away Anthony Davis, are extremely thin at center. This was a matchup Jokic dominated anyways, averaging 28.6 points, 16.4 rebounds and 10.0 assists over his last five meetings with Los Angeles. There’s absolutely no debate over first place on tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers vs. BKN ($9,400)
Once upon a time, there was an argument to be made that Joel Embiid was basketball’s best center. As absurd as that sentence might be today, the big man is still one of the game’s most dominant players…when healthy. Over 18 games this season, the former MVP has posted 24.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists (44.5 FPTS). Those stats aren’t the All-NBA numbers fans are used to, but they aren’t anything to sneeze at.
Following a tough outing vs. Boston (23.75 FPTS), Embiid will look to rebound against a much easier opponent tonight. The Nets aren’t pushovers by any means, but this is still a rebuilding Eastern Conference team. The Sixers should make a concerted effort to get their best player going in a game they’ll be desperate to win. At under $10,000, this is as cheap as most managers will get a talent such as Embiid. Consider the veteran as a much cheaper, high-upside alternative to Jokic.
3. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets at UTA ($8,500)
Who is the best player on the Rockets? Does it even matter? Whatever the answer might be, Alperen Sengun has a decent claim as Houston’s face of the franchise. This season, the Turkish-born big man has averaged 18.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists (42.5 FPTS). As a jack of all trades, the center can rack up fantasy points without scoring a ton.
Sengun isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ guy yet, but he’s certainly on his way. Against certain opponents, the All-Star has ‘Baby Jokic’ potential. Tonight’s contest could be a boon for the 22-year-old. This season, the Jazz have surrendered 119.8 points per game to opponents, third-most in the NBA. The last time Sengun faced Utah, he dropped 37 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Anything close to that would make him one of the biggest steals at any position on Saturday’s slate.
