The NBA Cup is over, which means we can get back to normally scheduled regular season basketball. Thursday has some stellar matchups for hoops fans, including a Western Conference rivalry game between the Warriors and Grizzlies. Later on, Karl-Anthony Towns makes his return to Minnesota when the Knicks visit the Timberwolves.
With so many big names in action, narrowing down a select group to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is a difficult task. Here are the three forwards at the top of tonight’s board:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. CHI ($10,100)
To absolutely no one’s surprise, the Celtics are off to a scorching-hot 21-5 start to the season. Leading the charge is Jayson Tatum, who has put up 28.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 45.3% shooting from the field. The five-time All-Star has produced 40 or more DK fantasy points in all but two of his 23 appearances.
Just when things couldn’t get any easier for Boston’s best player, the team will play host to the Bulls. This season, Chicago has given up the 13th-most points to opponents (113.7). The last time these two teams met on November 29th, Tatum delivered a 35-point, 14-rebound, five-assist masterpiece. As long as this game doesn’t get out of hand (Boston is a fourteen-point favorite), this is the perfect spot for a superstar to go off.
2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns vs. IND ($9,000)
Even at the age of 36, Kevin Durant is still a force to be reckoned with (when he plays). Injuries have limited the former MVP to just 15 games, stunting a terrific start to the season for the Suns. However, KD has looked great during those outings, putting up 25.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists on terrific 51.9/41.3/82.0 shooting splits.
Durant made his most recent return on December 13th, having suffered a left ankle sprain ten days earlier. Since then, head coach Mike Budenholzer has left the veteran on the floor for more than 34 minutes in two straight contests. Fresh off of a three-day break, there’s no reason to believe the 14-time All-Star will have his workload reduced in any meaningful way. A date with the fast-paced Pacers, allowing the fifth-most DK fantasy points to opposing power forwards, could be just what the doctor ordered for KD.
3. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors vs. BKN ($9,200)
Figuring out the Raptors’ offense is tricky, as there’s a decent chance Scottie Barnes returns from injury tonight. Still, there’s enough sample size to suggest that RJ Barrett can thrive with or without his All-Star running mate. The former lottery pick has turned heads this season, averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists on an efficient 45.5% field goal percentage (35.0 3PT%).
Assuming Barnes plays on Thursday, likely on a minutes restriction, there’s still plenty of room for fantasy production from Toronto’s second-best player. Over 11 games played with the former Rookie of the Year, Barrett has posted a solid 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The Nets aren’t pushovers, but they are allowing the 17th most DK fantasy points to opposing small forwards. Even with another mouth to feed, RJ has plenty of value on tonight’s slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
