ESPN's fantasy basketball and basketball betting tips cheat sheet is your pregame destination for basketball betting predictions and our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds for December 17th are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.
Suns Centers: The Phoenix Suns have ruled out center Deandre Ayton for tonight's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to an ankle ailment. The team will likely turn to both Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale to replace Ayton's minutes, both of whom are available in at least 99% of ESPN leagues. If you need rebounding and block production, consider that Biyombo leads the league with 4.1 blocks per 36 minutes and has some rebounding upside given the boost in minutes. Landale, meanwhile, just tallied his second career double-double in drubbing the Clippers on Thursday.
​​​Walker the Blocker: The Utah Jazz have enjoyed unexpected success this season thanks to a unique blend of savvy vets and rising young talent. Rookie center Walker Kessler, acquired in the Rudy Gobert blockbuster, has been playing more minutes with impressive results lately, securing nine blocks while sitting second only to Biyombo in blocks per 36.
Rising Rookie: Speaking of ascendant young talent, Oklahoma City is getting some great minutes from rookie Jalen Williams, who has averaged 14 points with solid peripheral numbers over his last eight games, six of them starts. A free agent in 96% of ESPN leagues and found at just $4,600 on DraftKings, Williams is a nice play against a Memphis team he delivered 16 points and 13 combined assists and boards against last month. ​​​
Center Saturday: An unintentional theme of today's slate is how much value has emerged at the center position. For instance, Clippers starting pivot Ivica Zubac won't play against the Wizards today due to a knee injury, vaulting Moses Brown into an important role for Los Angeles. For those interested in playing the two-game afternoon slate on DraftKings, Brown, at just $3,700, represents real value given his potential to play big minutes against Washington.
-- Jim McCormick and Kyle Soppe
Game of the night
Dallas Mavericks at Cleveland Cavaliers
8 p.m. ET, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Line: Cavaliers (-4)
Money line: Cavaliers (-180), Mavericks (+152)
Total: 215.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 230.7 points
BPI Win%: Cavaliers (62.2%)
Doubtful: Dwight Powell, Davis Bertans
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Tim Hardaway Jr. (rostered in 16.7% of ESPN leagues). Hardaway has gotten off to a fast start since stepping into starting role for the Mavericks. He has averaged 37.9 fantasy points over the past 10 games and is worth picking up if you need a streamer.
Fantasy streamer: Larry Nance Jr. (rostered in 15.8% of ESPN leagues). Nance continues to be an underappreciated streamer considering his steady statistical production and a consistent number of minutes. He has scored 34 or more fantasy points in three of his past four games, including two games with at least 57 fantasy points.
Breaking down the rest of the slate
Washington Wizards at LA Clippers
4 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Line: Clippers (-6.5)
Money line: Clippers (-260), Wizards (+210)
Total: 221 points
BPI Projected Total: 227.9 points
BPI Win%: Clippers (59.3%)
Questionable: Reggie Jackson, Paul George
Ruled Out: Rui Hachimura, Bradley Beal, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Moses Brown (rostered in 0.1% of ESPN leagues). Brown is on the streaming radar for fantasy managers in deeper formats. Brown has averaged 22.8 points and 18 rebounds per 40 minutes and should play a bigger role tonight with Ivica Zubac out. -- Moody
Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs
5 p.m. ET, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Line: Heat (-7.5)
Money line: Heat (-320), Spurs (+250)
Total: 222.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 230.6 points
BPI Win%: Heat (52.2%)
Probable: Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, Udonis Haslem, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro
Questionable: Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo
Ruled Out: Gabe Vincent, Omer Yurtseven
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Best bet: Over 222.5. Miami and San Antonio have been among the league's lowest-scoring teams this season. The Heat average 108.0 PPG (29th), and the Spurs average 110.2 PPG (27th). However, both teams have gone over the total in three of their past five games. -- Moody
Best bet: Keldon Johnson over 28.5 points + assists + rebounds. Johnson has had a rough start to the season but has played much better lately. He has surpassed 28.5 PAR in five consecutive games. -- Moody
Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Line: Bucks (-5)
Money line: Bucks (-190), Jazz (+158)
Total: 230 points
BPI Projected Total: 238.4 points
BPI Win%: Bucks (55.5%)
Questionable: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Serge Ibaka, Jrue Holiday
Ruled Out: Khris Middleton, Collin Sexton
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Walker Kessler (rostered in 13.9% of ESPN leagues). Kessler should be rostered in more league. His minutes have increased and scored 31 or more fantasy points in three consecutive games. -- Moody
Fantasy streamer: Jevon Carter (rostered in 5.2% of ESPN leagues). Carter is on the streaming radar with Khris Middleton ruled out for Saturday. Carter has scored at least 18 fantasy points in four of his past five games and has averaged 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per 40 minutes. -- Moody
Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Line: Grizzlies (-8.5)
Money line: Grizzlies (-385), Thunder (+300)
Total: 232.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 235.4 points
BPI Win%: Grizzlies (77.7%)
Questionable: Darius Bazley, Luguentz Dort
Ruled Out: Desmond Bane, Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Steven Adams (rostered in 47.7% of ESPN leagues). Adams is an excellent streamer, especially for fantasy managers in binds. He's a great rebounder and blocker and has averaged 26.2 fantasy points per game. The Thunder rank 19th in points allowed per 100 possessions and give up the most rebounds per game to centers. -- Moody
Best bet: Over 232.5. The Grizzlies-Thunder matchup could be an offensive bonanza. Memphis ranks sixth in points scored per 100 possessions, while Oklahoma City ranks 24th. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a star who has the potential to outscore everyone on the court. Totals have gone over in nine of the Thunder's last 13 games at home. -- Moody
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET, Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Line: Blazers (-4)
Money line: Blazers (-170), Rockets (+143)
Total: 229 points
BPI Projected Total: 243.4 points
BPI Win%: Blazers (59.8%)
Questionable: Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason
Ruled Out: Jae'Sean Tate
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Best bet: Trail Blazers -4.0. Portland ranks ninth in points scored per 100 possessions. Although Portland has struggled defensively, their situation isn't as dire as Houston's. The Rockets rank 27th in points scored per 100 possessions and 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions. The Trail Blazers are 11-5 in their road games ATS and are talented enough to defeat Houston on the road. -- Moody
New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Line: Suns (-3)
Money line: Suns (-165), Pelicans (+140)
Total: 228 points
BPI Projected Total: 234.2 points
BPI Win%: Suns (57.3%)
Questionable: Jose Alvarado, Cameron Payne, Deandre Ayton
Ruled Out: Brandon Ingram
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Bismack Biyombo (rostered in 1.2% of ESPN leagues). Biyombo is on the streaming radar once again in deeper formats with Deandre Ayton out. Biyombo has scored 18 or more fantasy points over the past two games but hasn't played more than 22 minutes per game. Fantasy managers should have realistic expectations about his ceiling. -- Moody
Best bet: Zion Williamson over 40.5 points + assists + rebounds. Williamson is quickly entering the MVP conversation this season. He has met or surpassed 40 PAR in five consecutive games should perform well against a Suns team without Deandre Ayton. -- Moody
