A massive NBA slate is set for Wednesday, with nine games between 18 teams on tap for hoops fans. Plenty of superstars are in action, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden and Alperen Sengun. 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 vs. OKC ($10,700)
Despite a slew of recent injuries, the Celtics have continued their winning ways. It’s no surprise, as the defending champions have built arguably the deepest roster in the NBA. Still, Boston would struggle to be a playoff team without Jayson Tatum. The 26-year-old has enjoyed another remarkable season, leading the team in most statistical categories. Through 60 games, he’s averaged 27.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists (51.4 FPTS).
Tatum will face one of his toughest tests yet on Wednesday against an elite Oklahoma City defense. This season, the Thunder have surrendered the fewest points per game (103.2) and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing small forwards. When these teams last met in January, the six-time All-Star dropped 26 points and ten rebounds (48.5 FPTS). Another double-double would likely make Tatum the top forward available tonight.
*Tatum (knee) is questionable to play on Wednesday vs. the Thunder.
2. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets at ATL ($8,600)
The drop-off after Tatum at forward is fairly steep tonight. That might force fantasy managers to look for bigger bargains rather than bigger names. Since Brandon Miller’s season ended due to a wrist injury, Miles Bridges has stepped up. The 26-year-old has put up 24.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists over his last 15 appearances. As the clear number two for the Hornets behind LaMelo Ball, those statistics aren’t a fluke.
Bridges’ volume makes him a decent fantasy play on most nights. Against one of the NBA’s worst defenses, he could be a must-start. This season, the Hawks have allowed the fifth-most points per game (118.8) and the second-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. The last time Bridges played Atlanta in October, he generated 27 points and five rebounds (36.75 FPTS). Any managers looking for a high-upside play should consider Charlotte’s second option on Wednesday.
3. Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks at SAS ($7,500)
An injury-depleted Mavericks roster has turned to some unlikely sources of offense recently. Among the names that have seen a bump in production, Naji Marshall stands out. The former Pelicans forward, signed this offseason, has enjoyed the best stretch of his career this month. Since the start of March, the 27-year-old has averaged 22.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
On most nights, a career role player wouldn’t garner much consideration for placement on this list. However, the wing has a terrific opportunity on Wednesday against a weakened San Antonio defense. The Spurs, without Victor Wembanyama, have posted the worst defensive rating of any team (124.9) since the All-Star break. Considering the lack of quality forwards available, a veteran like Marshall deserves a spot on tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings.
