Another loaded NBA slate is set for Friday, with eight games between 16 teams on tap for hoops fans. That includes a handful of superstars in action, such as James Harden, Kevin Durant, 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. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns at DEN ($8,800)
A terrible year for the Suns shouldn’t take away from the individual excellence of Devin Booker. Phoenix’s face of the franchise has been terrific this season, serving as both a primary scorer and ball handler. Through 56 games, the guard has averaged 25.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field (43.9 FPTS).
Playing alongside fellow superstar Kevin Durant can sometimes cap Booker’s statistical output. That won’t be the case on Friday against a shaky Nuggets defense. This season, Denver has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. When these teams last met in February, the four-time All-Star recorded 24 points, seven assists and three rebounds (37.75 FPTS). An even better stat line should be in store tonight.
2. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers vs. NYK ($9,800)
The struggling Clippers earned a much-needed victory on Wednesday, thanks in large part to James Harden. The Beard delivered a vintage performance at the Intuit Dome, dropping 50 points against the Pistons. It was the guard’s highest-scoring outing in nearly six years. This season, the veteran has recorded 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game (46.4 FPTS).
Those counting stats carry Harden’s production, especially when considering his poor efficiency (39.2 FG%). The guard will get another chance to produce on Friday against a Knicks team that has struggled from the perimeter. This season, New York has surrendered an NBA-worst 37.4% three-point shooting percentage to opponents. The future Hall of Famer has tallied 26.4 points and 8.6 assists over his last five games; expect that hot streak to continue tonight.
3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves at MIA ($9,100)
A tumultuous end to February saw Anthony Edwards ejected, and subsequently suspended for one game. Fortunately for the Timberwolves, their budding young superstar has been on fire since returning. Over his last three appearances, the three-time All-Star has averaged 30.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists (47.9 FPTS). Most recently, Ant-Man put up 29 points and six assists against the Hornets on Wednesday.
Friday’s matchup won’t be easy, even for one of the association’s most dynamic young players. The Heat have surrendered the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season. However, Edwards has produced 24.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists during his last five meetings with Miami. The 23-year-old isn’t immune to a let down game, but he’s still the driving force behind Minnesota’s offense. The guard deserves to be mentioned on tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
