Eight games between 16 teams across the NBA are set for Wednesday. That includes a handful of superstars, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. With so many big names playing, 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 at MEM ($10,800)
There are several players that deserve credit for Oklahoma City’s 50-11 record, best in the Western Conference. None more so than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; the 26-year-old is making a strong push for his first career MVP award. This season, the guard has averaged a league-leading 32.6 points, along with 5.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game (53.6 FPTS). On the other end of the floor, he’s recorded 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks.
SGA’s all-around excellence makes him the perfect player in DFS formats. That’s especially true against a high-powered Grizzlies team that loves to push the pace. The Canadian has scored at least 32 points in each of his two meetings with Memphis this season. On a somewhat thin slate for guards, Gilgeous-Alexander is someone worth paying up for on Tuesday night.
2. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets vs. MIN ($9,600)
The Hornets, having won just 14 games this season, are going nowhere. What should give Charlotte fans hope is the continued progression of LaMelo Ball. The young guard has been a stat-stuffing monster all season, carrying an otherwise mediocre offense. Through 38 games, he’s posted 26.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists (46.8 FPTS). As owner of the NBA’s highest usage rate (36.4%), the former Rookie of the Year has one of fantasy basketball’s safest floors.
Ball is usually a safe bet given his massive workload, even against a terrific defense. This season, the Timberwolves have allowed opponents to score 107.4 points per game, fourth-fewest in the NBA. When these two teams last met in November, LaMelo tallied just 19 points over 25 minutes of play. However, I’d expect a bigger statistical output on Tuesday. A big game won’t be easy, but the 23-year-old is a solid, cheaper pivot off of SGA.
3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves at CHA ($9,300)
We’ll stay in Charlotte, where the visiting Timberwolves will look for another big game from Anthony Edwards. After earning an ejection and a one-game suspension last week, the guard has gotten back on track. Scoring a combined 62 points over Minnesota’s last two games (both wins), Ant-Man hasn’t shown any signs of rust. This season, the guard has averaged 27.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists (45.8 FPTS).
Edwards isn’t the most reliable fantasy contributor, but he possesses high upside. Tuesday’s game could prove challenging, as Charlotte has surrendered the 13th-fewest fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. Still, when these teams last met, the three-time All-Star reached 21 points and five rebounds in just 29 minutes. An even better outing from Minnesota’s budding superstar should be expected tonight.
