Another loaded NBA slate is set for Saturday, with eight games between 16 teams on tap for hoops fans. That includes a handful of superstars in action, such as Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo. 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 forwards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA 222K Fadeaway [50K to 1st]
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. LAL ($10,200)
Saturday night’s marquee matchup between the Lakers and Celtics certainly isn’t lacking in star power. Nowhere is that more apparent than at forward, where LeBron James and Jayson Tatum will face off. The latter of the two has had another spectacular season, leading the Celtics in most statistical categories. Through 59 games, he’s averaged 26.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game (51.0 FPTS).
If the defending champs are going to take down red-hot Los Angeles, they’ll need their superstar at his best. Fortunately for Boston, this is a spot that Tatum usually thrives in. Over his previous five meetings with the Lakers, the six-time All-Star has produced 27.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings are filled to the brim with elite forwards. Still, it’s hard not to back Boston’s face of the franchise on Saturday.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at BOS ($10,600)
We’ll stay in Beantown for another chapter of the always-entertaining LeBron vs. Boston rivalry. To absolutely no one’s surprise, James is still one of the NBA’s most dominant forces. Following Los Angeles’ trade for Luka Doncic, The King has taken his game to another level. Since the start of February, the 40-year-old has posted 28.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
The Celtics are a tenacious defensive unit, so Saturday’s matchup won’t be a walk in the park. With that being said, this is LeBron freaking James. The future Hall of Famer is difficult to avoid in your DFS lineups, even when he isn’t on a heater. The four-time MVP recorded 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists (47.0 FPTS) against Boston on January 23rd. Now playing next to Doncic, I’d expect an even better performance in primetime from LBJ tonight.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. ORL ($11,200)
Stop the presses! Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t ranked number one on this list? Milwaukee’s superstar forward has enjoyed arguably the best season of his career. Through 49 games, the two-time MVP has averaged 30.8 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists (59.3 FPTS). On defense, he’s chipped in with 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals. Add it all up, and you have one of the best basketball players on the planet Earth.
So why isn’t the Greek Freak at the top of this list tonight? Simply put, a date with the Magic is difficult, even for a fantasy basketball monster. This season, Orlando has held opponents to the second-fewest points per game (103.5) and opposing power forwards to the fewest fantasy points. When these teams last met, Antetokounmpo recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists (46.25 FPTS). A similar stat line on Saturday, while solid, wouldn’t make Giannis worth his massive price tag.
