A loaded ten-game NBA slate is set for Friday, with 20 teams taking the floor. Plenty of superstars are in action, including James Harden, LaMelo Ball and Jayson Tatum. 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. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics at MIA ($11,200)
The Celtics are seemingly unbeatable when their best player takes the court. Boston is 43-18 when Jayson Tatum takes the floor, and it’s not difficult to understand why. The 26-year-old has emerged as one of basketball’s greatest all-around threats, capable of wrecking a game in a number of different ways. This season, he’s averaged 27.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game (51.5 FPTS).
Even against a solid defensive unit such as the Heat, the defending champs should put up points. This is a spot that Tatum specifically has dominated in before. When these two teams last played in February, the six-time All-Star notched 33 points and eight rebounds (50.0 FPTS). Expect another masterpiece from Boston’s face of the franchise on Friday night.
*Tatum (knee) is questionable to play on Friday vs. the Heat.
2. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers at ATL ($8,700)
It’s easy to forget how good Kawhi Leonard is. Between constant injuries and playing for Los Angeles’ ‘other’ team, the forward hasn’t been in the spotlight recently. Still, when healthy, the future Hall of Famer is a force to be reckoned with. This season, over 23 games, he’s posted 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 (32.7 FPTS). On defense, he’s chipped in with 1.3 steals per game.
As always, there’s a chance the Clippers play it safe with Leonard’s minutes. Regardless, tonight presents a golden opportunity to put up fantasy points. The Hawks are allowing opponents to score 118.8 points per game, fifth-most in the NBA. A porous defense, combined with a fast-paced offense, should lead to plenty of work for Kawhi. The two-way forward is a lower-cost pivot to consider on Friday’s fantasy basketball rankings.
3. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets at SAS ($9,100)
Since Brandon Miller’s season-ending wrist injury, LaMelo Ball has taken full control of Charlotte’s offense. If anyone on the Hornets fits the bill of a co-star, it’s Miles Bridges. The 26-year-old has put up impressive counting stats, despite some mediocre shooting (44.2 FG%). This season, the forward has averaged 21.4 points, 7.9 rebounds. and 3.8 assists per game (40.5 FPTS).
The Spurs used to guard the paint better than almost any other team, thanks to Victor Wembanyama. Following the center’s season-ending blood clot, the rest of the roster has fallen apart. Since the All-Star break, San Antonio owns the second-highest defensive rating in basketball (124.0). To make matters worse, they’ve surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Bridges, even at a salary over $9,000, could return massive value tonight.
