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.
What you need to know for Sunday's games
The emergent San Antonio Spurs have barged into the contender tier, entering Sunday on an 11-game winning streak. The New York Knicks, meanwhile, are underdogs at Madison Square Garden for just the second time this season. Today's matinee in Manhattan airs at 1 p.m. ET on ABC and sets the tone for an 11-game slate stocked with meaningful matchups.
An afternoon tilt between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves pits two Western heavyweights with identical records and motivated superstars. With the Nuggets first in the NBA in offensive rating and the Timberwolves ninth, this matchup, which airs at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, has the highest point total of the entire day. Such offensive optimism suggests building fantasy lineups around these rosters could prove rewarding.
Even as there are some potential blowouts on today's busy schedule, the greater trend is a batch of intriguing and investable matchups. 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
Jonathan Kuminga, PF, Atlanta Hawks (Rostered in 52.9% of ESPN leagues): The Hawks are empowering Kuminga with the minutes and usage he seemed to crave when with the Warriors. The results thus far have been emboldening, with gobs of shot and rebounding opportunities driving great surface statistics. A meeting with a depleted Portland frontcourt only helps.
Nique Clifford, SG, Sacramento Kings (6.7%): The Kings are pulling off the rare unintentional tank; injuries have ravaged the starting lineup, which means Clifford has become a key playmaker in recent weeks. The Lakers, as we've learned, are generous on defense to athletic guards.
Jeremiah Fears, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (18.0%): With his playmaking responsibility and results on the rise, Fears is becoming a worthy fantasy starter for those in deeper formats. There will be lean shooting nights, but also busy box scores. We'll learn more about Fears in today's matchup with the Clippers and their capable defensive backcourt.
Micah Potter, C, Indiana Pacers (2.9%): While he's not nearly the rim protector Jay Huff is, Potter's advanced scoring prowess makes him an interesting pickup for those in need at center or seeking a DFS bargain. Memphis, meanwhile, doesn't have much defensive resistance in the frontcourt after the deadline.
Micah Potter elevates for the big-time stuff
McCormick's bets for Sunday
Jamal Murray over 10.5 total assists and rebounds
Posting career-bests in both of these categories this season, Murray will rarely leave the floor for a Denver team realizing a need to always have one of Nikola Jokic or Muray on the floor. Splits with both off are downright implosive, which signals lots of playing time for Murray in a matchup that demands a lot of him on offense.
Scoot Henderson over 4.5 assists (-123)
With 11 potential assists in his last game, just two shy of Jrue Holiday, Henderson is gaining traction as a complementary playmaker for Portland. With Deni Avdija ailing, Henderson should see more minutes running second units and working in with Holiday as a secondary creator.
Scoot Henderson rocks the rim with slam
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Kawhi Leonard, SG/SF, LA Clippers ($9,700)
A top value in the evening tournaments, Leonard stands out versus the likes of Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and even Tyrese Maxey, given a better blend of matchup and rest ingredients. Leonard just topped 60 DraftKings points in 33 minutes, suggesting he can hit his numbers tonight as a sizable favorite over the Pelicans and still stick around this playing time threshold.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Desmond Bane, SG, Orlando Magic ($7,400)
Facing a stout Detroit defense appears baked into the price here, as Bane has been operating closer to an $8,000 profile in recent weeks. With a valuable shot diet and likely a large workload overall against a top conference contender, Bane is a solid target in the middle tier today.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic ($5,200)
A bruising bully on the block who can also face-up to shoot when asked, Carter is the right type of player to face the Pistons. It helps that Detroit's frontcourt is still depleted, with Carter due to work the paint throughout this matchup with Motown.
Wendell Carter Jr. rocks the rim with slam dunk
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
1 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs -1.5 (-108) | Knicks +1.5 (-112)
Money line: Spurs -118 | Knicks -102
Total: 227.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 1, straight up 53%, 229.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Harrison Ingram, (GTD - Undisclosed); David Jones Garcia, (OFS - Ankle)
Knicks: Miles McBride, (OUT - Pelvis)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -11.5 (-118) | Nets +11.5 (-102)
Money line: Cavaliers -600 | Nets +440
Total: 222.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 11.8, straight up 81%, 227.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: James Harden, (GTD - Thumb); Keon Ellis, (GTD - Finger)
Nets: Nic Claxton, (GTD - Thumb); Egor Demin, (OUT - Foot)
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks -3.5 (-110) | Bulls +3.5 (-110)
Money line: Bucks -166 | Bulls +140
Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 0.3, straight up 51%, 233.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT - Calf); Taurean Prince, (OUT - Neck)
Bulls: Jalen Smith, (OUT - Calf); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Quadriceps); Anfernee Simons, (OUT - Wrist); Jaden Ivey, (OUT - Knee); Noa Essengue, (OFS - Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS - Toe)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves +2.5 (-102) | Nuggets -2.5 (-118)
Money line: Timberwolves +130 | Nuggets -155
Total: 239.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 1.8, straight up 56%, 240.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Julius Randle, (GTD - Back)
Nuggets: Cameron Johnson, (GTD - Ankle); Spencer Jones, (GTD - Shoulder); Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Hamstring); Peyton Watson, (OUT - Hamstring); Tamar Bates, (OUT - Foot)
Memphis Grizzlies at Indiana Pacers
5 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +1.5 (-120) | Pacers -1.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Grizzlies -102 | Pacers -118
Total: 237.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 1.8, straight up 55%, 237.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Cedric Coward, (GTD - Knee); Santi Aldama, (GTD - Knee); Ty Jerome, (GTD - Thigh); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT - Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS - Finger)
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS - Knee); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD - Back); Obi Toppin, (GTD - Foot); Pascal Siakam, (GTD - Wrist); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Ankle); Ivica Zubac, (OUT - Ankle); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles)
Portland Trail Blazers at Atlanta Hawks
6 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers +5.5 (-102) | Hawks -5.5 (-118)
Money line: Blazers +180 | Hawks -218
Total: 236.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 5.9, straight up 67%, 238.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Deni Avdija, (GTD - Back); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Lower Leg); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)
Hawks: Jalen Johnson, (GTD - Hip); Nickeil Alexander-Walker, (GTD - Foot)
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
6 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -4.5 (-118) | Magic +4.5 (-102)
Money line: Pistons -205 | Magic +170
Total: 223.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 4.8, straight up 64%, 225.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Suspension)
Magic: Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle)
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
8 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +9.5 (-112) | Celtics -9.5 (-108)
Money line: 76ers +285 | Celtics -360
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 6.7, straight up 69%, 225.4 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT - Oblique); Paul George, (OUT - Suspension); Johni Broome, (OUT - Knee)
Celtics: Baylor Scheierman, (GTD - Thumb); Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -15.5 (-115) | Mavericks +15.5 (-105)
Money line: Thunder -1100 | Mavericks +700
Total: 233.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 12.4, straight up 82%, 236.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Ajay Mitchell, (OUT - Ankle); Branden Carlson, (OUT - Back); Jalen Williams, (OUT - Hamstring); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee)
Mavericks: Caleb Martin, (GTD - Back); Naji Marshall, (GTD - Finger); P.J. Washington, (GTD - Ankle); Cooper Flagg, (OUT - Foot); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT - Neck); Dereck Lively II, (OFS - Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS - Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at LA Clippers
9 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +8.5 (-105) | Clippers -8.5 (-115)
Money line: Pelicans +285 | Clippers -360
Total: 222.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 9.4, straight up 76%, 226.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Trey Murphy III, (GTD - Shoulder); Zion Williamson, (GTD - Ankle)
Clippers: John Collins, (GTD - Head); Darius Garland, (OUT - Toe); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip)
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +13.5 (-115) | Lakers -13.5 (-105)
Money line: Kings +525 | Lakers -750
Total: 232.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 9.4, straight up 76%, 233.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Keegan Murray, (OUT - Ankle); Dylan Cardwell, (OUT - Ankle); De'Andre Hunter, (OFS - Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS - Knee); Zach LaVine, (OFS - Finger)
Lakers: Rui Hachimura, (GTD - Illness)
