Five games across the NBA are set for Thursday, with ten teams taking the floor. Plenty of superstars are in action, including Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic 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 guards at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. WAS ($10,300)
Few players carry a heavier burden than Cade Cunningham. Detroit’s franchise cornerstone has lead his squad in points (25.7) and assists (9.3) per game, earning his first career All-Star Game selection. As a result, the 37=29 Pistons are currently sixth in the top-heavy Eastern Conference.
Cunningham’s workload gives him a safe fantasy floor, regardless of the opponent. It certainly helps to face one of the NBA’s worst defenses. This season, the Wizards have surrendered the most points (122.4), most rebounds (56.8) and sixth-most assists (28.5) per game. In addition, no team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing point guards. As long as this game stays (somewhat) close, Detroit’s budding superstar will stuff the stat sheet tonight.
2. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers at MIL ($12,000)
Speaking of statistical monsters, Luka Doncic is poised to score plenty of points going forward. LeBron James (groin) is injured, which means Los Angeles’ offense will run through its lone (healthy) superstar. Over 12 games with the Lakers, Doncic has posted 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 8.0 assists. Those numbers, despite mediocre shooting (39.9 FG%), give the five-time All-Star a massive fantasy floor.
If the Lakers are to pull off an upset victory in Milwaukee, they’ll need a big-time performance from Doncic. Fortunately for LA, this is a spot the Slovenian has dominated in. Over his last three meetings with the Bucks, Luka has recorded at least 35 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Anything that comes close to those numbers would justify the 26-year-old’s massive salary tonight.
*Doncic (ankle) is questionable to play on Thursday vs. the Bucks
3. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets at CHI ($6,400)
Let’s go with the ultimate buy-low to round out Thursday’s fantasy basketball rankings. Cam Thomas is a bit of an enigma; talented as a scorer, but limited in most other aspects. To be fair to the 23-year-old, it’s not as if many of his Nets teammates are capable of generating their own offense. Over 24 games, the LSU alum has averaged 24.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists (34.6 FPTS).
If there was ever a matchup tailor-made for a score-first player, it’s tonight. The Bulls enter Thursday’s contest allowing the second-most points (121.0) and fourth-most assists (29.0) per game to opponents. To make matters worse for Chicago, the team has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to shooting guards. When these teams met in November, Thomas dropped 32 points and four assists (41.0 FPTS). Brooklyn’s best player will have a golden opportunity to put up buckets in this one.
