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Eric Moody
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.
What you need to know for Friday’s games
The NBA took a break for Thanksgiving but returns on Friday with a massive 11-game slate. The third iteration of the Emirates NBA Cup continues as group play wraps up this week and the knockout-round matchups begin to take shape.
The matchup I’m looking forward to the most has the Dallas Mavericks traveling to Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis face their former teams following last season’s controversial trade. Doncic is playing at an MVP level in his first full season with the Lakers, leading the league in scoring at 35.2 points per game and showing terrific chemistry with Austin Reaves, who is averaging a career-high 27.9. Doncic is coming off a near triple-double against the Clippers and now meets his former team as part of a revamped Lakers team, with LeBron James back, that looks like a juggernaut. It’s a must-watch clash with meaningful implications as the Mavericks try to slow an offense that has been nearly unstoppable.
Let’s break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight’s slate.
Friday’s fantasy stream team
T.J. McConnell, PG, Indiana Pacers (rostered in 38.8% of ESPN leagues)
McConnell has averaged 19.2 minutes and 34.5 fantasy points over his past four games. The minutes aren’t ideal, but he’s been extremely efficient, and his usage rate during this stretch sits at 25.7%. He recently admitted his hamstring recovery slowed his conditioning and early rhythm, but he now feels like he’s getting it back and the numbers reflect that. McConnell is a reliable source of points and assists and should find success against a Wizards team that ranks 29th in defensive rating.
Andre Drummond, C, Philadelphia 76ers (21.2%)
Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, and Drummond will start once again for the 76ers in what will be Embiid’s ninth straight absence. He’s averaged 31.7 minutes and 31 fantasy points over the past eight games. Drummond has a long track record as an elite rebounder and finisher around the rim, and he remains a strong source of rebounds and defensive stats, especially against a Nets team that has the worst defensive rating in the league.
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Orlando Magic (17.3%)
Black’s improved play and confidence has helped push the Magic’s offense to another level, and they now rank seventh in offensive rating because of it. He’s attacking the rim, pushing the pace in transition, taking and making more threes, and trusting his instincts instead of hesitating. Black has averaged 30.5 MPG and 34.1 fantasy points per game over his past six games. The matchup against the Pistons is a difficult one as they rank fifth in defensive rating, but Black is still a viable streamer.
Jarace Walker, PF, Indiana Pacers (2.8%)
Walker finally showed signs of turning the corner with his 42 fantasy points on Monday against the Pistons, looking more confident, decisive, and aggressive than he has all season. He followed that up with 34 fantasy points on Wednesday against the Raptors. After weeks of inefficiency and inconsistency, Walker kept the game simple, shot the ball well, and played within himself, showing the exact growth the Pacers have been waiting for. He’s a versatile player who contributes across the board and he’s in a great spot against a Wizards team that has struggled defensively all season.
0:12
Anthony Black elevates for alley-oop jam
Anthony Black elevates for alley-oop jam
Moody’s favorite bets for Friday
CJ McCollum Over 25.5 points, rebounds and assists (-115)
McCollum has been one of the rare bright spots for a dreadful Wizards team this season. He’s cleared this line in five of his past 10 games and has a 26.7% usage rate over that span while averaging 30.4 MPG. McCollum has the second-highest scoring average on the Wizards this season behind Alex Sarr. The matchup with the Pacers should be high scoring, as both teams rank in the Top 10 in pace and near the bottom of the league in defensive rating.
Devin Booker Under 24.5 points (-120)
Booker has gone under this line in seven of his last 10 games while shooting a dismal 41.0% from the field. This coincides with Dillon Brooks playing well since returning from injury, averaging 22.9 points over his past nine games. The Thunder present a difficult matchup for Booker, as they lead the league in defensive rating and are the best team in the league at defending point guards and pick-and-roll ball handlers. Oklahoma City is also a 14.5-point favorite, which could negatively impact Booker’s minutes if the game gets out of hand.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Under 20.5 points (-105)
Jackson has gone under this line in 14 of 17 games this season while averaging 14.2 field goal attempts in 29.4 minutes. Even in games without Ja Morant, Jackson has gone under in four of five. The Clippers aren’t a defensive juggernaut at 28th in defensive rating, but Kawhi Leonard’s return helps, and they’re one of the league’s best teams at defending power forwards.
Anthony Davis Over 19.5 points (-120)
Davis has missed the past 14 games for the Mavericks, but it would be surprising if he sat out a revenge game against the Lakers as this is one he’s almost certainly had circled on the calendar. Friday’s matchup is the front end of a back-to-back set, so he’ll likely play in only one of the two games. He has cleared this line in four of his five appearances this season, and the only time he didn’t was a seven-minute outing cut short by injury. In the other four games, he took at least 16 field goal attempts and played 32 or more minutes. The Lakers have been shredded by opposing power forwards all season and don’t have anyone defensively who can consistently contain Davis.
Luka Doncic Over 50.5 points, rebounds and assists (-115)
Doncic has cleared this line in four of his past five games, with LeBron James playing in three of them, and he’s posted a 35.4% usage rate over his last 10. He should be even more motivated to remind the Mavericks that he’s still one of the best players in the league. The last time he faced his former club, on April 9 in Dallas, Doncic finished with 59 points+rebounds+assists.
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Devin Booker knocks down a straightaway 3
Devin Booker hits a 3-pointer from deep for the Suns.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -5.5 (-110) | Hawks +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Cavaliers -225 | Hawks +190
Total: 236.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 1.1, straight up 54%, 240.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Craig Porter Jr., (GTD – Hamstring); Dean Wade, (GTD – Knee); Jarrett Allen, (GTD – Finger); Sam Merrill, (OUT – Hand); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
Hawks: N’Faly Dante, (GTD – Knee); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee)
Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers -7.5 (-110) | Nets +7.5 (-110)
Money line: 76ers -275 | Nets +225
Total: 222.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 5.1, straight up 66%, 228.5 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Adem Bona, (GTD – Ankle); Paul George, (GTD – Ankle); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee); VJ Edgecombe, (OUT – Calf); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT – Thigh)
Nets: Ben Saraf, (GTD – Ankle); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Back); Cam Thomas, (OUT – Hamstring); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -2.5 (-110) | Hornets +2.5 (-110)
Money line: Bulls -135 | Hornets +115
Total: 248.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 2.5, straight up 58%, 242.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Dalen Terry, (GTD – Calf); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Back); Kevin Huerter, (GTD – Pelvis); Zach Collins, (OUT – Wrist)
Hornets: Pat Connaughton, (GTD – Calf); Grant Williams, (OUT – Knee); Josh Green, (OUT – Shoulder)
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Magic +2.5 (-105) | Pistons -2.5 (-115)
Money line: Magic +135 | Pistons -155
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 0.9, straight up 53%, 230.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT – Hand); Paolo Banchero, (OUT – Groin); Moritz Wagner, (OUT – Knee)
Pistons: Jaden Ivey, (GTD – Undisclosed); Bobi Klintman, (OUT – Ankle); Marcus Sasser, (OUT – Hip)
Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +6.5 (-105) | Pacers -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Wizards +215 | Pacers -260
Total: 240.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 5.5, straight up 67%, 241.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Kyshawn George, (GTD – Illness); Corey Kispert, (OUT – Thumb); Tre Johnson, (OUT – Hip)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD – Quadriceps); Johnny Furphy, (OUT – Ankle); Kam Jones, (OUT – Back); Quenton Jackson, (OUT – Hamstring); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks +8.5 (-115) | Knicks -8.5 (-105)
Money line: Bucks +260 | Knicks -320
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 9.3, straight up 77%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Thigh); Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT – Knee)
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., (GTD – Groin); OG Anunoby, (OUT – Hamstring); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Shoulder)
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +14.5 (-105) | Thunder -14.5 (-115)
Money line: Suns +550 | Thunder -900
Total: 225.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 16.8, straight up 90%, 227.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Grayson Allen, (OUT – Quadriceps); Ryan Dunn, (OUT – Wrist); Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring)
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Wiggins, (OUT – Thigh)
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs +7.5 (-110) | Nuggets -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs +250 | Nuggets -300
Total: 237.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 7.5, straight up 72%, 235.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Harrison Ingram, (GTD – Undisclosed); Jordan McLaughlin, (OUT – Hamstring); Stephon Castle, (OUT – Hip); Victor Wembanyama, (OUT – Calf)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Christian Braun, (OUT – Ankle); Julian Strawther, (OUT – Back)
Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +1.5 (-105) | Jazz -1.5 (-115)
Money line: Kings +105 | Jazz -125
Total: 242.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Jazz by 2.7, straight up 59%, 244.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Dennis Schroder, (GTD – Hip); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee)
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot)
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +10.5 (-115) | Lakers -10.5 (-105)
Money line: Mavericks +380 | Lakers -550
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 11, straight up 80%, 231.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee); Anthony Davis, (GTD – Calf); Dereck Lively II, (OUT – Foot)
Lakers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD – Knee); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Back)
Memphis Grizzlies at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +6.5 (-110) | Clippers -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Grizzlies +210 | Clippers -250
Total: 224.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 6.4, straight up 69%, 229.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Calf); Javon Small, (OUT – Toe); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hip); Jordan Miller, (OUT – Hamstring); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT – Knee)