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
Tuesday offers six games on the NBA schedule. According to DraftKings, the game with both the highest total and the closest spread is the Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans. When games are both high-scoring and competitive, the conditions are ripe for players to generate strong fantasy numbers and go over props.
The San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies matchup has the second-highest total on and also ties for the second-closest spread. Victor Wembanyama is questionable to return for this game after missing the last two with a hyperextended knee.
The third-highest total of the night is the Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves tilt. The Heat still play at the fastest pace in the NBA, and the extra possessions in these games lead to more opportunities for individual player numbers as well.
As always, let's dig deeper into the matchups to identify some fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this six-game slate.
Tuesday's fantasy stream team
Julian Champagnie, SF, Spurs (rostered in 8.6% of ESPN leagues): Champagnie has started the last three games for the Spurs in place of Devin Vassell (thigh), who has already been ruled out for tonight's game. Champagnie has made at least two 3-pointers in all three games and has popped for 20 or more points in two of them, including a 36-point explosion with 11 3-pointers against the New York Knicks.
Justin Champagnie, SF, Washington Wizards (4.0% rostered): Julian's twin brother has also been putting together a stretch of strong play. Champagnie had played 25 or more minutes in four straight games before Sunday's blowout loss in which he only played 18, but in those four previous games he had averaged 13.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.5 3PG, 1.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG. The shooting and defensive versatility give him solid value in category leagues.
Max Christie, SG, Dallas Mavericks (10.8%): Christie has started four straight games for the Mavericks, and in the last three he has found his scoring touch in a major way with at least 18 points in all three and a scoring average of 22.3 PPG. On Tuesday, he faces a friendly Sacramento Kings defense that allows the ninth-most points in the NBA to opposing shooting guards.
Jake LaRavia, PF, Lakers (23.3%): LaRavia returned to the starting lineup for the Lakers with Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves sidelined, and in his last two games he has been explosive as a scorer against his former team, the Grizzlies. He scored more than 20 points in both games, averaging 23.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 3.5 3PG in 35.5 MPG. Hachimura and Reaves are both out for Tuesday night's game against the Pelicans.
Dre's favorite bets for Tuesday
Anthony Black 20+ points (-142)
Jalen Suggs is doubtful to play today, which means Black is likely to have the reins for the Orlando Magic. Black has scored at least 22 points in each of the last five games he played without Suggs in the lineup and has scored 20 or more in seven of the last eight without Suggs.
Cam Spencer OVER 5.5 assists (-135)
This pick depends on whether Spencer starts again in place of Ja Morant (questionable, calf). Spencer has been in a bit of a shooting slump of late, but when he has started he has been leaning into his role as a floor general. Spencer has dished at least eight assists in each of his last four starts, averaging 10.3 APG. He has dished at least six assists in each of his last seven games in which he has played at least 27 minutes.
Zion Williamson OVER 23.5 points (-125)
Williamson is coming off a down game against the Heat in which he scored only 12 points, but in the eight games before he averaged 27.4 PPG while scoring 24 or more in six of the eight. The Lakers don't have a good defensive matchup for his size and explosiveness, and overall the team has been friendly to opposing power forwards, allowing the fourth-most points in the NBA to the position.
Anthony Edwards OVER 29.5 points (-122)
Edwards has been on another scoring binge as he continues the best scoring season of his career. Averaging 29.4 PPG on the season, Edwards has upped that to 33.0 PPG over his last seven outings, notching 30 or more in five of those seven games, including three straight. One of those three games came against this same Heat team last week, in which Edwards dropped 33 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play Daily Fantasy NBA at DraftKings
$8100+ salaries
Luka Doncic, PG, Lakers ($12,200)
Doncic is averaging 61.6 FP/G on the season, and it is slightly higher against the Pelicans this season (62.1 FP/G in two games). No one else in today's slate has an expected output anywhere near as high, making Doncic value even as the highest priced player of the day.
Anthony Edwards, SG, Timberwolves ($9,500)
Edwards has scored at least 45 fantasy points in three straight games and five of his last seven overall, with a high-water mark of 61.5 fantasy points in that stretch. Two games ago against the Heat, who happen to be Tuesday's opponent, he dropped 45.8 fantasy points.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Anthony Black, PG, Magic ($7,500)
Black has averaged just over 50 FP/G in the last four he has played without Suggs in the lineup. Suggs is doubtful to play tonight.
Alex Sarr, C, Wizards ($7,100)
Sarr has scored between 39 and 49 fantasy points in three of his last five games, fueled by his 14 blocked shots in those three games. His opponent, the Magic, are tied for the sixth-most blocks allowed to opposing centers.
Andrew Nembhard, PG, Indiana Pacers ($6,800)
Nembhard has played really well of late as a scorer and distributor. He has produced between 35 and 44 fantasy points in five of his last six games.
$,500-$6,000 salaries
Jake LaRavia, PF, Lakers ($5,500)
LaRavia is starting in place of Rui Hachimura and has notched exactly 42.2 fantasy points in each of his last two starts.
Aaron Nesmith, SF, Pacers ($5,300)
Nesmith has scored at least 25.8 fantasy points in three of his last four games, going over 30 twice, including 46.5 fantasy points in his last outing.
Julian Champagnie, SF, Spurs ($5,300)
Champagnie is starting in place of Vassell and has put up between 41 and 51 fantasy points in two of his last three starts.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -5.5 (-105) | Pacers +5.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers -198 | Pacers +164
Total: 235.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 8, straight up 72%, 238.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (GTD - Knee); Jarrett Allen, (GTD - Illness)
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Concussion); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Thumb); Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles)
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -7.5 (-110) | Wizards +7.5 (-110)
Money line: Magic -298 | Wizards +240
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 9.5, straight up 75%, 234.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (GTD - Knee); Colin Castleton, (OUT - Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle); Moritz Wagner, (OUT - Knee)
Wizards: Corey Kispert, (OUT - Hamstring); Kyshawn George, (OUT - Hip); Cam Whitmore, (OUT - Shoulder)
San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs -6.5 (EVEN) | Grizzlies +6.5 (-120)
Money line: Spurs -230 | Grizzlies +190
Total: 239.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 4, straight up 62%, 236.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Harrison Ingram, (GTD - Illness); Victor Wembanyama, (GTD - Knee); Devin Vassell, (OUT - Thigh)
Grizzlies: Ja Morant, (GTD - Calf); Vince Williams Jr., (GTD - Knee); Cedric Coward, (OUT - Ankle); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle); John Konchar, (OUT - Thumb); , (OUT - Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Calf)
Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Heat +7.5 (-118) | Timberwolves -7.5 (-102)
Money line: Heat +210 | Timberwolves -258
Total: 238.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 3.9, straight up 61%, 240.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD - Ankle); Keshad Johnson, (GTD - Back); Nikola Jovic, (GTD - Groin); Tyler Herro, (GTD - Toe); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Timberwolves: Rocco Zikarsky, (OUT - Undisclosed); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT - Foot)
Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers -6.5 (-105) | Pelicans +6.5 (-115)
Money line: Lakers -258 | Pelicans +210
Total: 244.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 4.9, straight up 64%, 239.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Gabe Vincent, (GTD - Back); Rui Hachimura, (OUT - Calf); Austin Reaves, (OUT - Calf); Adou Thiero, (OUT - Knee)
Pelicans: Herbert Jones, (GTD - Ankle); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Hip); Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles)
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings
11 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Mavericks -5.5 (-105) | Kings +5.5 (-115)
Money line: Mavericks -218 | Kings +180
Total: 232.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 6.2, straight up 67%, 234.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: P.J. Washington, (GTD - Ankle); Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Dante Exum, (OFS - Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS - Foot)
Kings: Keegan Murray, (OUT - Ankle); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT - Knee)
