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
A busy Saturday slate features 18 teams in action. Fantasy managers and bettors are tasked with deciphering which players and rotations are best positioned to deliver value.
A positive trend from today’s games is competitive matchups, as only two of Saturday’s nine games have double-digit lines. Blowouts aren’t ideal for fantasy managers or player props, given how playing time and opportunity rates (minutes, usage, and shot volume) become less predictable. This isn’t to suggest you fade or sit Victor Wembanyama or Anthony Edwards in their respective spots as massive home favorites tonight; rather, consider how statistical ceilings are likely compromised.
That context pushes additional attention toward games projected to remain close. When competitive spreads are paired with strong point totals, stars and core rotation players are more likely to stay on the floor and share in the scoring, creating reliable paths to production for both fantasy and betting outcomes. Matchups such as the Phoenix Suns versus the New Orleans Pelicans or the Atlanta Hawks hosting the New York Knicks fit that coveted profile.
Many of today’s games carry totals well north of 230 points, opening up a wide range of options when it comes to streaming candidates, prop plays and DFS values. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Saturday’s fantasy stream team
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Orlando Magic (rostered in 31.4% of ESPN leagues): Just a few years removed from being the No. 6 overall pick, Black has the talent to back up this recent surge in production. With Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner sidelined, Black has been awesome as both a scorer and playmaker for Orlando. It helps his case that Denver is 21st in defensive rating the past 10 games.
Collin Gillespie, PG, Phoenix Suns (45.8%): Imagine T.J. McConnell with volume shooting and you get Gillespie; a productive two-way guard who helps to embody the gritty and relentless identity the Suns have forged this season. With 17 dimes over his past two outings, Gillespie is peaking as a creator and could feast today on a New Orleans backcourt that is equal parts young and uninterested in point-of-attack defense.
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Collin Gillespie drains 3 vs. Golden State Warriors
Collin Gillespie hits the 3-pointer vs. Golden State Warriors
Tyler Kolek, PG, New York Knicks (5.7%): A continuation of the McConnell phylum, Kolek has been a major boon to the New York rotation in recent weeks thanks to a blend of stellar playmaking and timely scoring. The Hawks have defensive depth in the backcourt, but also have dipped to 27th in defensive rating since Trae Young’s return to the floor.
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls (53.8%): Progress is rarely linear, it seems. Buzelis shows signs of stardom mixed with negative minutes. Steady playing time is the main element between Buzelis and fantasy success. The good news is Buzelis has maximized his minutes with an awesome block rate and rare athleticism in recent weeks. It also helps that today’s matchup with the Bucks’ frontcourt is inviting.
McCormick’s bets for Saturday
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks OVER 241.5 points
As noted, the Hawks have been a sieve on defense lately. Atlanta has allowed 122.2 points per 100 possessions to opponents over the past 10 games. This is just a few points shy of the top offensive rating in the league this season. The Knicks, meanwhile, have the league’s third-best offensive rating during the past 10 games. Pairing this total play with the Knicks’ moneyline could prove rewarding.
Kevin Porter Jr. OVER 34.5 total points, rebounds, and assists
Topping this tally in three of his past four games, “KPJ” has become an offensive engine for the Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing from the lineup. The rival Bulls, meanwhile, are 24th in defensive rating over the past 10 games and often struggle to stop penetration from big guards.
Wendell Carter Jr. OVER 20.5 total points and rebounds
Proving more effective as a stretch big than ever, Carter has settled into a productive role for the Magic this season. Last time he faced the Nuggets, Carter delivered nearly a point per minute in what was a brilliant individual effort in a loss to Denver. With the potential to handle a number of clean catch-and-shoot looks while also seeing plenty of time in the paint and around the rim, Carter is poised to deliver in a matchup that has proven friendly already this season.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Brunson, PG, New York Knicks ($9,300): A prolific scoring season should continue in Atlanta this evening, as Brunson could target Young throughout the evening. Even with added attention from the Atlanta defense, Brunson should be able to find his numbers at all three levels against a Hawks defense that could struggle to contain New York on the glass. Added possessions are gravy for a player with Brunson’s usage and efficiency. Building lineups with Porter Jr. is also a worthy play for those spending in the backcourt today.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Derik Queen, C, New Orleans Pelicans ($6,700): A gifted passer and playmaker from the post, Queen’s mature handle in tight spaces really stands out for a rookie big man. The Suns have size, but maybe not the skill on the interior to handle Queen’s dynamic offensive game. The floor can prove low, but the upside is also undeniable.
Kel’el Ware, C, Miami Heat ($6,000): The Heat are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back, which means injury and official lineup information won’t be available until closer to tip. Bam Adebayo is dealing with a back ailment, which means Ware could be a centerpiece of the Miami attack if he’s the main man in the paint. Even if Adebayo is active, Ware has proven capable of exceeding value in such lineups. The Pacers, meanwhile, are weak on the interior defensively.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF, Denver Nuggets ($4,300): A gifted shooter who has played huge minutes since Cameron Johnson has dealt with a knee injury, “THJ” should serve an important spacing role for Denver today. There isn’t much to Hardaway’s profile beyond scoring and shooting, but those both tend to surface for the veteran wing whenever he’s empowered. Pairing this former Knick with current New York guard Kolek is a savvy way to afford the likes of Brunson and Jalen Johnson in lineups.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings
5 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Mavericks -3.5 (-105) | Kings +3.5 (-115)
Money line: Mavericks -155 | Kings +130
Total: 233.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 1.8, straight up 55%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Brandon Williams, (GTD – Calf)
Kings: Keegan Murray, (OUT – Calf); Drew Eubanks, (OUT – Thumb); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee); Devin Carter, (GTD – Ankle); Zach LaVine, (OUT – Ankle)
Denver Nuggets at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -4.5 (-115) | Magic +4.5 (-105)
Money line: Nuggets -198 | Magic +164
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 2.8, straight up 58%, 238.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Christian Braun, (OUT – Ankle); Cameron Johnson, (OUT – Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Magic: Colin Castleton, (GTD – Hand); Franz Wagner, (GTD – Ankle); Goga Bitadze, (GTD – Knee); Jalen Suggs, (GTD – Hip); Moritz Wagner, (GTD – Knee)
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans
7 p.m. ET
Line: Suns -4.5 (-110) | Pelicans +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Suns -198 | Pelicans +164
Total: 239.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 2, straight up 56%, 236.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring); Koby Brea, (GTD – Concussion); Grayson Allen, (GTD – Knee)
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles); Herbert Jones, (GTD – Ankle)
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Knicks -5.5 (-118) | Hawks +5.5 (-102)
Money line: Knicks -225 | Hawks +185
Total: 242.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.8, straight up 66%, 240.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Landry Shamet, (OUT – Shoulder); Miles McBride, (GTD – Ankle); Josh Hart, (OUT – Ankle)
Hawks: N’Faly Dante, (OFS – Knee); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Illness)
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat
8 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +7.5 (-115) | Heat -7.5 (-105)
Money line: Pacers +230 | Heat -285
Total: 229.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 9.3, straight up 75%, 234.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Knee); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Calf); Isaiah Jackson, (GTD – Concussion)
Heat: Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Bam Adebayo, (GTD – Back); Tyler Herro, (GTD – Toe)
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks +2.5 (-118) | Bulls -2.5 (-102)
Money line: Bucks +110 | Bulls -130
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 1.4, straight up 54%, 238.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD – Calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Calf)
Bulls: Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers +3.5 (-105) | Rockets -3.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers +145 | Rockets -175
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.5, straight up 62%, 238.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Larry Nance Jr., (OUT – Calf); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Alperen Sengun, (GTD – Calf)
Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +12.5 (-115) | Timberwolves -12.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets +470 | Timberwolves -650
Total: 223.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 9.5, straight up 75%, 224.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD – Shoulder); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot)
Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +15.5 (-115) | Spurs -15.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +650 | Spurs -1000
Total: 241.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 16.2, straight up 90%, 247.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder); Ace Bailey, (GTD – Hip); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot)
Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, (GTD – Thigh)
