A light NBA slate is set for Saturday, with four games between eight teams on tap for hoops fans. Still, several superstars are in action, including Cade Cunningham, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 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:
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1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at IND ($11,200)
If there’s any player you want to back in fantasy basketball (not named Nikola Jokic), it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak has been playing some of the best basketball of his illustrious career this season. Through 51 games, the power forward has averaged 30.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game (59.1 FPTS). Contributions on defense have kept the two-time MVP productive even on the rare occasion when his shot isn’t falling.
Tonight’s contest is pivotal, as the Bucks and Pacers are within one game of each other for the Eastern Conference’s fourth seed. Antetokounmpo has absolutely owned this matchup recently, recording 37.4 points, 13.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists over his last five meetings with Indiana. Milwaukee’s face of the franchise is, yet again, a no-brainer first pick on tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
2. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers at NOP ($8,100)
James Harden has kept the Clippers afloat for most of the season. Still, it’s Kawhi Leonard that gives Los Angeles a legitimate shot at competing for a championship. When the oft-injured forward is healthy, this is a dangerous squad that competes on both ends of the floor. Through just 22 games this season, The Claw has posted 18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists (31.9 FPTS).
Obviously, those numbers don’t stand out. However, Leonard has now played at least 37 minutes in five straight contests, signaling that he’s ready for a larger workload. During his last eight appearances, the six-time All-Star has logged at least 40.0 fantasy points five different times. This season, the Pelicans have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards. As just the fifth-most expensive forward available tonight, Kawhi offers major value for managers looking to avoid spending big.
3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavalies vs. BKN ($8,300)
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland get plenty of praise, but the Cavaliers are built in the front court. Cleveland’s dynamic duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are a headache on both ends of the floor, offering solid offense and terrific defense every night. The latter of the two is making a name for himself, earning his first career All-Star Game selection. Through 57 games, the power forward has averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists (39.9 FPTS). On the other end of the floor, he’s accounted for 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.
The 23-year-old could have a field day tonight against a rebuilding Nets team. This season, Brooklyn has surrendered the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. When these two teams last met in February, Mobley dropped 18 points and 13 rebounds (44.25 FPTS). Another double-double on Tuesday would make Cleveland’s budding star a massive value in any fantasy lineup.
