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
A full day of NBA action awaits basketball fans on Sunday. With 20 teams playing, fantasy managers and bettors are tasked with identifying value during a packed slate.
The day opens with some potentially revealing matchups. The Cleveland Cavaliers host Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics this afternoon in a marquee matinee at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. How will this revamped Cleveland roster respond to what should be playoff-caliber competition? How will Boston spread around touches and shots now that Tatum has rejoined the rotation?
The Los Angeles Lakers host the New York Knicks at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Can the Lakers slow down New York’s elite offense? The Knicks are third in offensive rating on the season, while the Lakers are 21st in defensive efficiency. Both teams are motivated to make a statement ahead of the playoffs.
An anticipated meeting of Texas teams leads the evening slate, with the Houston Rockets making the 200-mile trek to face the rival San Antonio Spurs. Houston continues to look for a more dynamic offensive identity, while the Spurs are planning to pull away for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Even some lottery-bound matchups appear inviting, with the Sacramento Kings hosting the Chicago Bulls in a game rife with intriguing waiver-wire additions. 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
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Kings (rostered in 35.9% of ESPN leagues): Achiuwa’s spike in minutes and production could prove important to the fantasy playoffs. Gobs of post touches and rebounding opportunities are driving impressive box scores from the former Kentucky standout. The Bulls, meanwhile, don’t offer much resistance in the paint.
Dejounte Murray, SG/PG, New Orleans Pelicans (56.0%): While Murray is rostered in more leagues than our traditional waiver endorsements, this is a nod to shallower leagues that might be overlooking his recent return and growth in production. Tonight’s game versus the Washington Wizards has the highest point total of the night, which means the Pelicans have the highest implied scoring total of the day.
Maxime Raynaud, C, Kings (28.4%): One of the more underrated fantasy options in the league at the moment, Raynaud is regularly posting double-double lines with helpful assist numbers as a bonus. The utter lack of rim protection is an issue, but his scoring and rebounding rates could spike against this patchworked Chicago frontcourt.
Collin Sexton, SG/PG, Bulls (30.0%): Averaging 24 points per game over the past week to go with strong shooting and steal rates, Sexton is a viable candidate in DFS and for scoring props, given a starring role on offense against a porous Sacramento defense. With the Bulls continuing to rely on his scoring punch, Sexton should have the green light to stay aggressive.
McCormick’s favorite bets for Sunday
Luka Doncic OVER 30.5 points (-107)
Yes, the Knicks have waves of wings to throw at Doncic. What the Knicks lack in most lineups, however, is real resistance in the paint. Other than the 15-or-so minutes Mitchell Robinson will play, Doncic should be able to get two feet in the paint at will. This is where he really can do damage, confirmed by his career-best clip in the restricted area. Even while his driving volume is down, there is reason to believe he’ll get downhill early and often against this starting Knicks group. For some fun, sprinkling in a triple-double play for Luka at +513 is a consideration.
Victor Wembanyama OVER 11.5 rebounds (+109)
Taking his rebounding prop at 10.5 is priced at -154, while these plus odds surface when aiming for 12 boards against the Rockets tonight. Without Steven Adams, the Rockets have shifted from otherworldly on the glass to merely elite. With 26 rebounds over his past two games against Houston, there is precedent for success. With the blend of minutes and potential rebounding chances due for Wemby, this higher rebounding prop appears viable.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
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Giannis Antetokounmpo skies for big jam
Giannis Antetokounmpo gets up for the beautiful slam dunk
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Paolo Banchero, PF, Orlando Magic ($9,800): Playing his best ball of the season over the past two weeks, Banchero is my favorite of the high-priced players today. For one, the Bucks are weak on defense even, with Giannis Antetokounmpo back in the fold. Second, the Greek superstar is listed as questionable. The major selling point here is simply how well Banchero is blending bully ball inside with efficient midrange work. Running the show from the high post, Banchero will be busy tonight.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Stephon Castle, SG, Spurs ($7,200): With the Spurs white hot, losing just once in the past 14 games, Castle is a major reason for their sustained success. We can use the term two-way player a bit too loosely at times, while Castle feels like the epitome of the archetype. Hovering around 36 DraftKings points in his past two meetings against the Rockets, Castle can deliver a big line even without a big shot diet.
Dejounte Murray, PG, Pelicans ($6,900): Facing a Wizards team that is 30th against point guards in terms of fantasy point allowance, Murray has all the ingredients you’d want to exceed value, with the coveted blend of minutes, touches and a choice matchup. With playing time on the rise and a fun meeting with Young and an otherwise young Washington backcourt, Murray is a strong option in this middle tier of players.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Guerschon Yabusele, PF/C, Bulls ($5,000): Similarly to Achiuwa, Yabusele is playing major minutes for a depleted frontcourt on a team far from contention. Averaging well over 30 DraftKings points over the past three outings and now with this favorable setup against Sacramento, “Yabu” is positioned to outpace his price by a good measure.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
1 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Celtics -1.5 (EVEN) | Cavaliers +1.5 (-120)
Money line: Celtics -112 | Cavaliers -108
Total: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 3.3, straight up 60%, 227.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic, (OUT – Finger)
Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (GTD – Ankle); Jaylon Tyson, (GTD – Neck); Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Knee)
New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers
3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Knicks -2.5 (-118) | Lakers +2.5 (-102)
Money line: Knicks -155 | Lakers +130
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 4.4, straight up 63%, 228.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Landry Shamet, (GTD – Neck); Miles McBride, (OUT – Pelvis)
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD – Elbow); Maxi Kleber, (GTD – Back)
Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat
6 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -1.5 (-110) | Heat +1.5 (-110)
Money line: Pistons -122 | Heat +102
Total: 229.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 2.4, straight up 57%, 234.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD – Quadriceps); Ausar Thompson, (OUT – Ankle)
Heat: Andrew Wiggins, (GTD – Toe); Nikola Jovic, (OUT – Back); Norman Powell, (OUT – Groin); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT – Groin); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Dallas Mavericks at Toronto Raptors
6 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +10.5 (-112) | Raptors -10.5 (-108)
Money line: Mavericks +340 | Raptors -440
Total: 229.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 4.1, straight up 63%, 232.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, (GTD – Foot); Dwight Powell, (GTD – Calf); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Neck); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
Raptors: Brandon Ingram, (GTD – Illness); Alijah Martin, (OUT – Knee); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee); Collin Murray-Boyles, (OUT – Thumb)
Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans
7 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +10.5 (-112) | Pelicans -10.5 (-108)
Money line: Wizards +340 | Pelicans -440
Total: 244.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 9.8, straight up 77%, 239.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Jamir Watkins, (OUT – Ankle); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Thigh); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Pelicans: None reported
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -3.5 (-115) | Bucks +3.5 (-105)
Money line: Magic -162 | Bucks +136
Total: 218.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 1.6, straight up 55%, 222.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Anthony Black, (GTD – Back); Jase Richardson, (GTD – Back); Jonathan Isaac, (GTD – Knee); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Calf); Kevin Porter Jr., (GTD – Knee); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Rockets +5.5 (-112) | Spurs -5.5 (-108)
Money line: Rockets +180 | Spurs -218
Total: 222.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 3.6, straight up 61%, 223.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate, (OUT – Knee); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Spurs: Harrison Barnes, (OUT – Ankle); Harrison Ingram, (OUT – Undisclosed); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Indiana Pacers at Portland Trail Blazers
9 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +8.5 (-105) | Blazers -8.5 (-115)
Money line: Pacers +310 | Blazers -395
Total: 236.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 4.8, straight up 64%, 235.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Ankle); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD – Back); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Wrist); Ivica Zubac, (OUT – Ankle); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Blazers: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Back); Kris Murray, (GTD – Illness); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Lower Leg); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Chicago Bulls at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -2.5 (-108) | Kings +2.5 (-112)
Money line: Bulls -135 | Kings +114
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 3.8, straight up 62%, 239.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Jalen Smith, (GTD – Calf); Josh Giddey, (GTD – Ankle); Matas Buzelis, (GTD – Ankle); Patrick Williams, (GTD – Quadriceps); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Wrist); Mac McClung, (OUT – Ankle); Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Knee); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)
Kings: Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle); Dylan Cardwell, (OUT – Ankle); De’Andre Hunter, (OFS – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS – Knee); Zach LaVine, (OFS – Finger)
Charlotte Hornets at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Hornets -4.5 (-112) | Suns +4.5 (-108)
Money line: Hornets -192 | Suns +160
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 3.3, straight up 60%, 221.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, (OUT – Calf)
Suns: Jordan Goodwin, (OUT – Calf); Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot)
