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 Tuesday's games
There are four games on Tuesday's NBA slate, with one matchup standing out.
The Denver Nuggets continue to establish themselves as one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. They're coming off a win over the Portland Trail Blazers, shooting efficiently and moving the ball well. The Nuggets also lead the league in offensive rating. However, the other side of the ball has been less reliable, ranking 21st in defensive rating and allowing opponents to shoot efficiently.
The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, have been more inconsistent despite flashes of strong play. They're coming off a win over the Toronto Raptors but have struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm, ranking 18th in offensive rating. Jalen Green provided a scoring boost for the Suns recently, but overall ball movement and shot consistency have been issues. Defensively, Phoenix has been more solid this season, limiting scoring and forcing turnovers while ranking 10th in defensive rating. However, their offense can stall if they're not hitting shots from the perimeter.
This matchup presents a contrast in strengths, with the Nuggets' high-powered offense facing a Suns team that relies more on defense and half-court execution. Denver will look to push the pace and capitalize on their efficiency, while the Suns will aim to slow things down and control possessions. Ultimately, the game may come down to whether Phoenix can keep up offensively or if Denver's scoring firepower proves too much to handle.
Let's dig deeper into these and the other storylines on display to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this small Tuesday slate.
Moody's fantasy stream team for Tuesday
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF, Nuggets (rostered in 33.8% of ESPN leagues): Johnson has provided consistent production at a perfect time. The veteran forward contributes across nearly every statistical category. He has averaged 33.8 fantasy points and 30.5 minutes per game over his last seven games. Johnson should remain heavily involved against the Suns.
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic (31.9%): Carter has been productive all season, contributing points and rebounds with a bit of assists and steals. He has scored at least 28 fantasy points in seven of his last 10 games, including one performance with 52 fantasy points. Carter finished with 32 fantasy points against the Cavaliers on March 11 and could deliver a similar performance Tuesday night. He's also a solid DFS value at $5,100, if you're looking to save at the center position.
Note: Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Moody's favorite bets for Tuesday
Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 33.5 points and rebounds (-119): Towns has cleared this line in five of his last 10 games. Over that stretch, he has averaged 14.6 field-goal attempts and 18.4 rebound chances per game. The Pelicans rank 23rd in defensive rating and have struggled on the glass all season. This sets up as an excellent spot for Towns to produce.
Evan Mobley OVER 31.5 points, rebounds and assists (-117): Mobley has played well with Jarrett Allen sidelined, and the arrival of James Harden at the trade deadline has benefited Cleveland's frontcourt production in the paint. Mobley has cleared this line in seven of his last 10 games and also did so in his previous matchup against the Magic on March 11. The Magic are short-handed on the second night of a back-to-back, which sets up well for Mobley.
Royce O'Neale 3+ 3-pointers (+120): O'Neale has shot the ball well this season, especially from beyond the arc, where he has averaged 6.8 attempts per game and made 40.3% of them. O'Neale's made at least three 3-pointers in 59% of his games this season. The Suns are banged up and will be without Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams, and Grayson Allen is questionable. The Nuggets haven't been strong defensively and tend to double-team star players like Devin Booker, which could lead to open looks for O'Neale. Denver has also allowed the fifth-most 3-point attempts over the last 10 games.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets ($12,500): Jokic leads the league in triple-doubles and is averaging 64.8 fantasy points per game this season. He also has a career-high 33.0% usage rate. The Nuggets' matchup against the Suns has the highest total on the slate, and the spread suggests it will be competitive. Jokic is worth paying up for and plugging into lineups on such a small slate.
LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets ($8,600): Ball's playing time has fluctuated over the last seven games, logging at least 29 minutes just three times during that stretch. However, he has still scored at least 40 fantasy points in five of those games. Ball faces a Kings team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating and fifth in pace over the last 15 games. Sacramento has also allowed the most fantasy points per game to point guards during that span.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Desmond Bane, SG/SF, Magic ($7,200): Bane has delivered consistent production on a game-to-game basis this season and has been especially strong over his last 10 games, averaging 37.0 fantasy points. The Cavaliers have been a middle-of-the-pack defensive team for most of the season. Bane provides a relatively high floor at this price point, with the biggest risk being that the Magic are double-digit underdogs against Cleveland.
Kon Knueppel, SG, Hornets ($6,700): Knueppel has been dealing with lower back soreness recently but is expected to play through it. He has shown he's more than just a spot-up shooter this season, finding ways to stay involved offensively. Knueppel has scored at least 31 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including one performance with 39 points. The Kings have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards this season.
Josh Hart, SG/SF, New York Knicks ($6,600): The veteran swingman's fantasy value is tied to his ability to deliver solid numbers in peripheral categories since he isn't a high usage player. Hart has averaged 33.1 fantasy points and 27.5 minutes per game over the last seven games. The Pelicans have improved defensively as of late and rank ninth in defensive rating over the last 15 games. However, New Orleans has allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over that time frame.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Malik Monk, PG/SG, Sacramento Kings ($5,400): The Hornets are a strong defensive team, but Monk's appeal is tied to opportunity with Russell Westbrook and Nique Clifford both dealing with injuries. Monk has scored at least 46 fantasy points in each of the last two games in which he's played at least 28 minutes, including a 47-point performance against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday following their injuries. He has averaged 21.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG and 4.6 APG in 11 games this season when logging at least 28 minutes. Monk should see all the minutes he can handle with Westbrook and Clifford ruled out. He's also rostered in 51.3% of ESPN leagues and is worth considering as a streamer if available.
Yves Missi, C, New Orleans Pelicans ($3,900): The second-year center has averaged 26.1 fantasy points and 23.6 minutes per game over his last six games. The Knicks have done a good job limiting centers this season, but Missi is an intriguing option for those looking to save salary at the position. He's also on the streaming radar, as he's rostered in just 7.6% of leagues.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Sacramento Kings at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +17.5 (-110) | Hornets -17.5 (-110)
Money line: Kings +950 | Hornets -1650
Total: 229.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 15.7, straight up 88%, 227.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Daeqwon Plowden, (GTD - Foot); Isaiah Stevens, (GTD - Ankle); Killian Hayes, (GTD - Foot); Precious Achiuwa, (GTD - Back); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Foot); Keegan Murray, (OUT - Ankle); Nique Clifford, (OUT - Foot); De'Andre Hunter, (OFS - Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS - Knee); Drew Eubanks, (OFS - Thumb)
Hornets: Kon Knueppel, (GTD - Back); Tidjane Salaun, (OUT - Calf)
New Orleans Pelicans at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +8.5 (-110) | Knicks -8.5 (-110)
Money line: Pelicans +285 | Knicks -360
Total: 231.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 9.3, straight up 77%, 231.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Bryce McGowens, (OUT - Toe)
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., (GTD - Quadriceps); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Knee); Miles McBride, (OUT - Pelvis)
Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers
8 p.m. ET
Line: Magic +10.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -10.5 (-115)
Money line: Magic +360 | Cavaliers -470
Total: 231.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 9.1, straight up 76%, 234.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Anthony Black, (OUT - Abdomen); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle); Jalen Suggs, (OUT - Illness); Jonathan Isaac, (OUT - Knee)
Cavaliers: Olivier Sarr, (GTD - Calf); Tyrese Proctor, (GTD - Quadriceps); Jarrett Allen, (OUT - Knee); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT - Toe); Craig Porter Jr., (OUT - Groin)
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns
11 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -5.5 (-108) | Suns +5.5 (-112)
Money line: Nuggets -245 | Suns +200
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 3.7, straight up 62%, 231.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Peyton Watson, (OUT - Hamstring)
Suns: Grayson Allen, (GTD - Knee); Royce O'Neale, (GTD - Knee); Amir Coffey, (OUT - Ankle); Dillon Brooks, (OUT - Hand); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee); Mark Williams, (OUT - Foot)
