ESPN’s fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night’s games. Here you’ll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Sunday’s games
With 22 teams hitting the hardwood today, it’s imperative that fantasy managers and bettors prepare for this uniquely busy slate. During such a packed day of basketball, we can leverage the right tools, from injury reports to DFS pricing, to help identify where value might surface.
The first stop is Sunday’s injury report — and it’s long. Beyond the growing list of star players expected to be sidelined, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, we also won’t see the likes of Scottie Barnes or Cooper Flagg suiting up for their respective teams.
Which players benefit from the growing list of absences around the league? It’s different for each roster and rotation, of course. The Oklahoma City Thunder are leaning on a deep roster and the infusion of shooting and scoring that Jared McCain has brought to the team. In a rare case of the Thunder being sizable home underdogs, can their skeleton crew upset the revitalized Cleveland Cavaliers today on ABC at 1 p.m. ET?
Later in the evening, we get a vintage matchup between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Can the Lakers slow down the second-best offense in the league? With so many games, there’s no need to be anchored to just a few positions or projections. The slate is full of inviting matchups, with healthy point totals and investable rotations to choose from.
A proactive approach to today’s games could prove rewarding, especially with decisions due early. With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
McCormick’s fantasy stream team for Sunday
Jarace Walker, PF, Indiana Pacers (rostered in 17.9% of ESPN leagues): It’s tough to tell if Walker’s recent surge is legitimate or the result of big minutes in a proven offensive scheme. Then again, he’s also putting together strong defensive lines and peaking as a playmaker, elements that are often driven by the individual player. With Walker empowered to extend his game in these final weeks, he makes for a top pickup today against a leaky Dallas Mavericks defense.
Christian Braun, SG/SF, Denver Nuggets (48.8% rostered): It has taken most of the season for Braun to get right, but he looks like himself lately on both sides of the floor. The fantasy market is lagging a bit, as Braun is flashing growth as a creator and defender in recent weeks. A marquee matchup with the Golden State Warriors is next.
Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers (14.4%): Enjoying a renaissance recently, Lopez is among the best at his position on the Player Rater the past two weeks, thanks to elite rim protection and helpful scoring and shooting metrics. Yes, there is some risk in rolling out a veteran center with an atypically low rebounding rate. There is also quite the ceiling in regards to blocks and 3-pointers facing an Orlando Magic team on the second leg of a back-to-back that includes yesterday’s double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Jalen Smith, PF/C, Chicago Bulls (14.7%): A player with real momentum for a strong post-break finish, Smith has little competition for minutes as the team’s top glass cleaner and rim protector. The New York Knicks‘ frontcourt presents a challenge, although the size of New York’s frontcourt could mean more minutes for Smith.
McCormick’s favorite bets for Sunday
P.J. Washington OVER 7.5 rebounds (-122)
Washington surpassed this rebounding number on Friday, and the situation hasn’t changed. As Dallas is running thin on healthy bodies, Washington’s role in the paint only grows. He has averaged 8.3 rebounds in four games without Flagg. Eight boards feel within reach against the Pacers.
Jalen Smith OVER 7.5 rebounds (-123)
It seems we’ve found a target number of eight rebounds today. These are very similar situations, as Smith is afforded tons of rebounding chances atop a thin frontcourt depth chart for the Bulls. The Knicks will likely win the possession battle, but Smith will still end plenty of possessions on the defensive glass.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
0:59
Paolo Banchero highlights vs. Phoenix Suns
Paolo Banchero highlights vs. Phoenix Suns
$8,100+ salaries
Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves ($9,200): The Timberwolves are leaning into Edwards even more lately, and the fantasy results have been stellar. The Philadelphia 76ers, meanwhile, are on the second leg of a back-to-back on the road. Philly already doesn’t have much rebounding size or wing depth defensively, meaning Minnesota could win the possession battle while Edwards gets two feet in the paint with regularity.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Josh Giddey, PG, Bulls ($7,600): No longer the walking triple-double of earlier this season, Giddey is at least regaining form as the top creator for Chicago. With 41 DraftKings points the last time out and a busy workload against the Knicks today, Giddey has the ceiling of a player with a higher tag.
Nikola Vucevic, C, Celtics ($7,000): Once an elite DFS engine, Vucevic is now more of a role player for the Celtics. Even in this capacity, we could see him thrive against a Lakers team with slow feet in the paint and a lack of proven size on the glass, save for Deandre Ayton.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Dominick Barlow, PF/C, 76ers ($4,200): With some mystery over Joel Embiid‘s status as of Sunday morning, Barlow could see a massive role against the Minnesota Timberwolves if the big man is out again. Even if the former MVP is active, Barlow should be busy in second units against a large Minnesota rotation.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder
1 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Cavaliers -4.5 (-108) | Thunder +4.5 (-112)
Money line: Cavaliers -180 | Thunder +150
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 0.9, straight up 53%, 234.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
Thunder: Alex Caruso, (OUT – Ankle); Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Ankle); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (OUT – Abdomen); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +9.5 (-108) | Hawks -9.5 (-112)
Money line: Nets +320 | Hawks -410
Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 9, straight up 75%, 226.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Ziaire Williams, (OUT – Personal)
Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga, (OUT – Knee)
Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors -2.5 (-118) | Bucks +2.5 (-102)
Money line: Raptors -155 | Bucks +130
Total: 219.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 2.5, straight up 58%, 221.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Personal)
Bucks: Myles Turner, (GTD – Calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Calf); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors
3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Nuggets -6.5 (-105) | Warriors +6.5 (-115)
Money line: Nuggets -245 | Warriors +200
Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 3.1, straight up 59%, 236.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, (GTD – Hamstring); Jalen Pickett, (OUT – Knee); Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Peyton Watson, (OUT – Hamstring); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Warriors: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Achilles); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Seth Curry, (OUT – Back); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee)
Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers
5 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks -2.5 (-102) | Pacers +2.5 (-118)
Money line: Mavericks -130 | Pacers +110
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 3.8, straight up 62%, 235.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Caleb Martin, (GTD – Ankle); Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Ankle); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD – Back); Kam Jones, (GTD – Back); Micah Potter, (GTD – Ankle); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Hamstring); T.J. McConnell, (GTD – Hamstring); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Ankle); Ivica Zubac, (OUT – Ankle); Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards
6 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -11.5 (-115) | Wizards +11.5 (-105)
Money line: Hornets -550 | Wizards +410
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 14, straight up 85%, 227.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Coby White, (OUT – Calf); Liam McNeeley, (OUT – Ankle); Miles Bridges, (OUT – Suspension); Moussa Diabate, (OUT – Suspension)
Wizards: Justin Champagnie, (GTD – Knee); Kyshawn George, (GTD – Toe); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD – Hand); Alex Sarr, (OUT – Hamstring); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OFS – Finger); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
6:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Celtics -1.5 (-115) | Lakers +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Celtics -125 | Lakers +105
Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 2.8, straight up 59%, 227.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
Lakers: None reported
Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +8.5 (-105) | Timberwolves -8.5 (-115)
Money line: 76ers +275 | Timberwolves -345
Total: 238.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 7.8, straight up 72%, 236.2 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Lower Leg); Paul George, (OUT – Suspension)
Timberwolves: Rudy Gobert, (OUT – Suspension)
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -10.5 (-108) | Bulls +10.5 (-112)
Money line: Knicks -455 | Bulls +350
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 9.4, straight up 76%, 235.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Miles McBride, (OUT – Pelvis)
Bulls: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Wrist); Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Knee); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers -3.5 (-112) | Suns +3.5 (-108)
Money line: Blazers -166 | Suns +140
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 2.3, straight up 57%, 229.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Back); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Suns: Cole Anthony, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Jordan Goodwin, (GTD – Calf); Devin Booker, (OUT – Hip); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee); Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand)
Orlando Magic at LA Clippers
9 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Magic +2.5 (-108) | Clippers -2.5 (-112)
Money line: Magic +114 | Clippers -135
Total: 215.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 2.8, straight up 59%, 220.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (GTD – Back); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Ankle); John Collins, (OUT – Head); Darius Garland, (OUT – Toe); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip)
