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 centers at the top of tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings:
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1. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets vs. PHX ($9,700)
On a Rockets team filled with quality role players, Alperen Sengun has taken on a heavy workload. Houston’s offense runs through its talented center, and for good reason. The Turkish-born big man can score, pass and rebound with the best of them. This season, the first-time All-Star has averaged 19.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game (43.4 FPTS).
Sengun’s all-around talent makes him a force to be reckoned with in all DFS formats. Even on nights where the big man doesn’t score, he’s still capable of recording a double-double with some assists sprinkled in. There should be buckets tonight against the Suns, who lack depth down low. This season, Phoenix has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Houston’s budding superstar is the most expensive, and most appealing, option on this list.
2. Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks vs. CHA ($7,100)
There aren’t many high-end centers available on Wednesday. As a result, a few unexpected names have warranted consideration for tonight’s fantasy basketball rankings. That includes Onyeka Okongwu; Atlanta’s big man has spent his entire career splitting time with Clint Capela. However, the USC alum has started in each of his last 24 appearances with the Hawks. During that time, he’s posted 14.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Those numbers, while solid, aren’t the main reason to start Okongwu tonight. Atlanta’s opponent, the Hornets, have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to centers this season. Charlotte’s starting big man, Mark Williams, is known for his suspect interior defense. When these teams last met in November, Okongwu tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds over 28 minutes (35.25 FPTS). A similar performance on Wednesday would be a massive boon for fantasy managers.
3. Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers at MIA ($8,400)
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard generate most of the headlines for the Clippers. However, Los Angeles’ stellar defense is held together by Ivica Zubac. The big man has been one of the association’s most underrated players for most of his career, including this season. The 27-year-old has averaged career-best marks in points (16.0 PPG) and rebounds (12.5 RPG). The end result? A stellar 39.6 fantasy points per game.
Tonight’s matchup isn’t a walk in the park for any center. Miami, led by three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo, have held opponents to the sixth-fewest points per game (108.7). Still, Zubac delivered a 21-point, 20-rebound masterpiece (52.5 FPTS) when these teams last met in January. Anything close to that stat line would make Big Zu a steal on an otherwise unimpressive slate for centers.
