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 to consider for DFS, best bets, as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & injury report
What you need to know for Tuesday’s games
The Boston Celtics look to take a 2-0 series lead at home after a dominant Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics’ spacing, ball movement and defensive versatility overwhelmed the Sixers, and their approach remains simple: limit Tyrese Maxey and force others to beat them. Without Joel Embiid, Philadelphia’s margin for error shrinks significantly. This matchup comes down to whether the Sixers can generate enough secondary scoring or if Boston’s depth and structure continue to control the series.
The second game of the day has the San Antonio Spurs hosting the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs are aiming to build off a strong Game 1 behind Victor Wembanyama‘s two-way dominance. San Antonio disrupted Portland’s offense and forced inefficient looks, and unless the Trail Blazers improve their perimeter shooting, that trend is likely to continue. Portland’s best chance lies in adjusting its spacing to pull Wembanyama away from the rim, but if not, San Antonio’s defensive edge should once again dictate the game.
In the nightcap, the Los Angeles Lakers look to take a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets after a balanced Game 1 performance. Los Angeles leaned on veteran leadership and efficiency, while Houston struggled to convert despite generating more opportunities. Kevin Durant‘s potential return is the key variable, as Houston lacks consistent scoring without him. This matchup will come down to execution, but if the Rockets don’t improve their shooting, the Lakers’ experience and depth give them the edge.
Here’s a look at the betting angles and DFS plays of interest for Tuesday’s playoff slate.
Moody’s bets for Tuesday
Paul George to score 18+ points (-113)
Despite Philadelphia’s Game 1 blowout loss to Boston, George was excellent, finishing with 17 points in 28 minutes. If the 76ers want to stay competitive, he’ll need to take on a larger scoring role alongside Maxey. George has scored exactly 17 points in each of his last two games against Boston, and if this game remains close, he’s likely to see 30+ minutes. He has scored at least 18 points in 12 of the 25 games this season in which he’s played 30 or more minutes.
Marcus Smart 20+ points, rebounds and assists (-116)
Smart benefited from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves being out due to injury, finishing with 15 points and eight assists in Game 1. In games this season alongside LeBron James and without Doncic, Smart has recorded at least 20 PRA (points + rebounds + assists) in five of eight contests. He has averaged 11.1 field-goal attempts, 5.1 rebound chances and 7.4 potential assists in those games. He should continue to be heavily involved against the Rockets on Tuesday.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ salaries
Victor Wembanyama, C, Spurs ($11,500): Wembanyama opened the series with 47.2 fantasy points in Game 1. Whenever the Spurs are on the slate, the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year is someone to consider paying up for because of his elite upside. Wemby has scored at least 56 fantasy points in five of his last seven games, including four performances of 71 or more.
Jayson Tatum, PF, Celtics ($9,500): Tatum has looked excellent since returning from last season’s Achilles injury, averaging 47.2 fantasy points per game across 16 contests. While he might not be fully back to his pre-injury level, his presence has given the Celtics a significant boost on both ends of the floor. Despite shooting just 41.1% from the field, Tatum has maintained strong production by contributing across multiple statistical categories, and his efficiency should continue to improve.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Stephon Castle, SG, Spurs ($7,400): Castle finished with 35.2 fantasy points in Game 1 against Portland and continues to complement Wembanyama. He has averaged 43.7 fantasy points per game over his last eight outings and can produce in multiple ways, highlighted by two triple-doubles during that stretch.
Jrue Holiday, PG, Trail Blazers ($6,800): Holiday has been superb over his last seven games, contributing to multiple statistical categories for the Trail Blazers. He has averaged 36.1 fantasy points per game during that stretch, giving him a strong floor. The Spurs present a tough defensive matchup, but Holiday’s usage and recent production are too strong to ignore at this price.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Marcus Smart, SG/SF Lakers ($4,800): Smart finished with 33.5 fantasy points in 34 minutes against the Rockets in Game 1. He should continue to see ample minutes with Doncic and Reaves out, especially given his veteran presence and extensive playoff experience.
Sam Hauser, SF/PF, Celtics ($4,200): Hauser finished with 27.8 fantasy points in 28 minutes in Boston’s blowout win over the 76ers in Game 1. His shooting stretches the floor, draws defensive attention and creates space that makes the Celtics’ offense more efficient. Hauser is a solid value against a middle-of-the-pack Philadelphia defense.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
7 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: 76ers +14.5 (-110) | Celtics -14.5 (-110)
Money line: 76ers +575 | Celtics -850
Total: 216.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 10.3, straight up 79%, 211.0 total points.
Injury report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT – Appendectomy)
Celtics: Ron Harper Jr., (GTD – Ankle)
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Blazers +11.5 (-115) | Spurs -11.5 (-105)
Money line: Blazers +470 | Spurs -650
Total: 219.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 11.8, straight up 82%, 219.4 total points.
Injury report:
Blazers: Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Spurs: David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Rockets -4.5 (-115) | Lakers +4.5 (-105)
Money line: Rockets -192 | Lakers +160
Total: 206.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 0.3, straight up 51%, 212.1 total points.
Injury report:
Rockets: Kevin Durant, (GTD – Knee); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (OUT – Oblique); Luka Doncic, (OUT – Hamstring)
