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Jim McCormick
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
A busy Sunday in the NBA features 10 games for bettors and fantasy managers to navigate. With two-thirds of the league in action, it’s important to sift through matchups, rotations and injury scenarios that could influence outcomes.
A welcome theme today is anticipated returns. The Portland Trail Blazers are likely to get Jrue Holiday back in the lineup against the New York Knicks after a 27-game absence due to a calf injury. The savvy veteran should bring poise on offense and reliability on defense to this young Portland roster. Holiday is a free agent in nearly a third of ESPN leagues. In this same game, Josh Hart is due to re-enter the rotation for the Knicks. His return impacts Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek.
The Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes has missed only a few recent games with a knee ailment, though his likely return to the lineup today against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers is significant. The quality of these two defenses could tamp down scoring. Keep an eye on point totals during such a big slate; games with totals north of 230 points are ideal.
With just two of today’s 10 games carrying double-digit point spreads, we can expect plenty of competitive contests. Fewer blowout scenarios are a key positive when building lineups from a large player pool, affording bettors and fantasy managers more predictable playing time and usage patterns.
With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Sunday’s fantasy stream team
Peyton Watson, SF/PF, Denver Nuggets (rostered in 39.4% of ESPN leagues): Making his case as one of the better waiver-wire pickups of the season, Watson has produced at least 21 points in five straight games for a resilient Denver team. This two-way forward has not only taken a leap on offense, but has also improved upon his already elite defensive rates in this expanded role. The matchup with Milwaukee is largely positive, aside from the challenge of facing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Cam Spencer, SG/PG, Memphis Grizzlies (25.0% rostered): A key beneficiary of the Ja Morant saga, Spencer has become the primary creator for the Grizzlies in recent weeks. Fearless from 3-point range and capable as a pick-and-roll initiator, Spencer is set up for success against the Brooklyn backcourt.
Keldon Johnson, SF/PF, San Antonio Spurs (19.6%): Johnson shined against Boston on Saturday with an impressive double-double. He should remain busy today against a Timberwolves frontcourt that is also playing on the second leg of a back-to-back. With Devin Vassell sidelined, Johnson should command a meaningful share of the Spurs’ offensive workload.
Julian Champagnie, SF, Spurs (14.2%): Another Spurs forward of interest, Champagnie is a strong complementary rebounder who brings consistent hustle and energy to the floor for San Antonio. Averaging a 15-point double-double over the past week, Champagnie is worth rostering while the team’s forward rotation remains condensed.
McCormick’s favorite bets for Sunday
DeMar DeRozan OVER 6.5 total assists + rebounds
With his usage rising lately, DeRozan is generating more passes and additional assist opportunities. Even as sizable underdogs to Houston, expect the Kings to lean on their core playmakers, especially with the team still lacking frontcourt creation while Domantas Sabonis remains sidelined. The Rockets are an elite rebounding team, but DeRozan’s playmaking prowess helps inspire confidence in this prop.
CJ McCollum OVER 16.5 total points + assists
Yes, this is McCollum’s debut with Atlanta. No, we don’t know how many minutes he will play. What we do know is that he is healthy, having logged nearly 40 minutes in his final performance with the Washington Wizards. The Hawks badly need his offensive creation as a secondary playmaker next to Jalen Johnson. It became clear in the Trae Young deal that McCollum’s ability to create for others is vital to Atlanta’s hopes to contend. This veteran combo guard can rack up assists thanks to the gravity he should command as an initiator against the Warriors tonight.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8100+ salaries
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks ($11,000)
The price is quite high, but so is Antetokounmpo’s potential to dominate a Joker-less Denver frontcourt. With Denver missing its top two centers, Antetokounmpo is poised for a big line.
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors ($9,000)
These pricey picks are household names, but they’re here for good reason, as Curry has a coveted combo of a high floor and impressive ceiling for this meeting with an Atlanta team likely to lose some defensive impact with McCollum’s debut.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Peyton Watson, SF/PF, Nuggets ($7,500)
With Jamal Murray questionable and Nikola Jokic out, Watson is due for a major workload against the visiting Bucks. With his scoring opportunities and output proving so steady in recent weeks, Watson has become bankable.
Kyshawn George, SG, Wizards ($6,200)
Empowered as a lead offensive engine now that the Wizards have moved on from two productive veterans, George has the keys to take his fantasy profile to a new level in the coming months. With Young sidelined, George will have the ball in his hands early and often against the Suns.
$,500-$6,000 salaries
Dillon Brooks, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns ($5,900)
It’s rare that a non-star can change the identity of a team, but Brooks is that rare role player who has a major influence on team culture. It’s not just an act, as Brooks is fearless as a shot-taker and defender. The Wizards, meanwhile, offer a cake matchup for Brooks to exploit.
Christian Braun, SG, Nuggets ($5,200)
The production hasn’t surfaced just yet for Braun. The minutes, however, suggest he’s ready for an eruption at some point. Braun is simply too good of a two-way player to post empty box scores. With an expectation for around 30 minutes of run against the Bucks, Braun has potential to exceed value.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic
3 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +6.5 (-110) | Magic -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Pelicans +210 | Magic -258
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 8.2, straight up 72%, 234.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Saddiq Bey, (GTD – Hip); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Ankle); Jose Alvarado, (OUT – Oblique); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles)
Magic: Tristan da Silva, (GTD – Back); Colin Castleton, (OUT – Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle); Jalen Suggs, (OUT – Knee)
Brooklyn Nets at Memphis Grizzlies
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +7.5 (-108) | Grizzlies -7.5 (-112)
Money line: Nets +225 | Grizzlies -278
Total: 220.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 5.8, straight up 66%, 224.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Drake Powell, (OUT – Knee); E.J. Liddell, (OUT – Knee); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee); Ziaire Williams, (OUT – Illness)
Grizzlies: John Konchar, (GTD – Thumb); , (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle)
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors
6 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers -4.5 (-105) | Raptors +4.5 (-115)
Money line: 76ers -180 | Raptors +150
Total: 221.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1, straight up 53%, 230.3 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Knee)
Raptors: Brandon Ingram, (GTD – Thumb); Scottie Barnes, (GTD – Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Back); RJ Barrett, (OUT – Ankle); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
New York Knicks at Portland Trail Blazers
6 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -4.5 (-115) | Blazers +4.5 (-105)
Money line: Knicks -192 | Blazers +160
Total: 229.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 6.3, straight up 67%, 236.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Quadriceps); Josh Hart, (GTD – Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Shoulder)
Blazers: Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Calf); Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Jerami Grant, (OUT – Achilles); Kris Murray, (OUT – Back); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring); Blake Wesley, (OUT – Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs +2.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs +120 | Timberwolves -142
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 1.5, straight up 54%, 235.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (OUT – Thigh)
Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr., (GTD – Foot)
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder
7 p.m. ET
Line: Heat +13.5 (-102) | Thunder -13.5 (-118)
Money line: Heat +550 | Thunder -800
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 12.1, straight up 81%, 236.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at Denver Nuggets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks -1.5 (-115) | Nuggets +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Bucks -130 | Nuggets +110
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 2, straight up 56%, 234.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr., (GTD – Hip); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD – Hamstring); Christian Braun, (GTD – Ankle); Jamal Murray, (GTD – Ankle); Spencer Jones, (GTD – Ankle); Cameron Johnson, (OUT – Knee); Jonas Valanciunas, (OUT – Calf); Nikola Jokic, (OUT – Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +13.5 (-108) | Suns -13.5 (-112)
Money line: Wizards +550 | Suns -800
Total: 229.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 14.2, straight up 85%, 234.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Cam Whitmore, (OUT – Shoulder)
Suns: Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring); Jamaree Bouyea, (OUT – Concussion)
Atlanta Hawks at Golden State Warriors
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +5.5 (-105) | Warriors -5.5 (-115)
Money line: Hawks +180 | Warriors -218
Total: 235.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 4.4, straight up 62%, 236.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Achilles); Zaccharie Risacher, (OUT – Knee); N’Faly Dante, (OFS – Knee); Trae Young, (OUT – Quadriceps)
Warriors: Seth Curry, (OUT – Back)
Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -13.5 (-105) | Kings +13.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -650 | Kings +470
Total: 222.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 13, straight up 83%, 228.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (GTD – Ankle); Tari Eason, (OUT – Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee)
Kings: Isaiah Stevens, (GTD – Hamstring); Dennis Schroder, (OUT – Suspension); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle)