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Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Friday’s NBA slate

On Nov 22, 2024 7

Friday night means another night of Emirates NBA Cup action, with the teams playing on fancy neon courts and every point counting toward the rankings, meaning fewer players sitting at the end of blowouts. Good times and opportunities to be had by all.

We’ve got eight games on the schedule for tonight and, as always, there is some fun action.

The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks lock horns in a rematch of last season’s In-Season Tournament semifinals. And we potentially get another game from Joel Embiid after he dropped 35 and started looking more like himself in his last outing — if he doesn’t miss the game due to left knee injury management.

The penultimate game of the night has the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on ESPN) facing off, potentially without either Luka Doncic (out, wrist) or Nikola Jokic (questionable, personal).

As always, let’s dig further into these and other storylines to find some fantasy hoops streamers and betting angles of interest in tonight’s slate.

Friday’s fantasy players to stream into your lineup

Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers (available in 70.3% of ESPN leagues)

Paul George reinjured his left knee on Wednesday and is expected to miss at least the next two games. This likely vaults Oubre back into the starting spot and, more importantly, the role he played for the 76ers before George made his season debut. In those first five games of the season, Oubre averaged 18.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 3PG and 1.2 SPG in 33.0 MPG. George also missed the game on November 13, and Oubre responded with 20 points, six rebounds and two 3-pointers.

Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors (56.3 available%)

While Wiggins has had some issues with consistency this season, on the whole he’s had some positive bounce-back efforts closer to his Warriors norms after a down effort last season. He has particularly picked it up in the last week, scoring 22 or more points in consecutive games, with averages of 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.5 3PG, 2.0 APG and 1.5 BPG. Wiggins will look to cap his big week against a Pelicans defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards.

Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers (62.4% available)

Sharpe just keeps putting up big games, and his roster percentage isn’t rising nearly as fast as I feel like it should. In his last three outings, Sharpe has averaged 28.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.3 3PG, 2.7 APG and 1.0 SPG in 35.3 MPG. He’s arguably the best player on the Trail Blazers right now, particularly with Anfernee Simons (hand) dealing with injury.

Dre’s bets for Friday

Al Horford over 1.5 total 3-pointers made (-170)

Horford has quietly stepped up his game of late. The Boston Celtics big man has hit at least two 3-pointers in six straight games, including knocking down nine total treys over his last two games. He’ll be facing a Washington Wizards squad with a giant center in Jonas Valanciunas that doesn’t like to defend to the perimeter; not surprisingly, the Wizards allow the third-most 3-pointers to opposing centers (1.8 3PG).

Stephen Curry over 22.5 points (-160)

The Golden State Warriors have been pacing Curry this season, playing him only 29.2 MPG (his lowest minutes since 2011-12 season) to keep him fresh through the NBA marathon. Even still, Curry has scored 23 or more points in six of his last eight games and will have impetus to have a strong night for the Warriors’ Emirates Cup standings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo over 33.5 points (+110)

OK, follow me here. ESPN BET offers three scoring props for Giannis, from over 31.5 points (-130) up to 33.5 points, the only plus-money prop of the trio. In his past 10 games, Giannis has gone over the lowest of those lines (31.5 points) five times… and in all five, he’s also gone over the highest of the lines (33.5 points). In those five overs, Giannis has averaged 42.8 PPG. So, he goes over about half the time, but when he does, he goes WAY over. So, if you’re going to bet the over, you might as well get the plus-money for your troubles. Plus, his Friday opponent, the Indiana Pacers are meh at defending opposing power forwards, ranking 16th in the NBA in both points and field-goal percentage allowed to the position.

Kyrie Irving over 33.5 total points and assists (-115)

In 12 games that Irving has played for the Dallas Mavericks when Luka Doncic has sat, Irving has averaged 29.2 PPG and 6.6 APG (total 35.8 P+A). Doncic is one of the highest usage players in the NBA, so it’s not surprising that Irving increases his own usage when Doncic is out. Plus, on Friday, Irving will be facing a Denver Nuggets defense that struggles against opposing point guards, ranking 18th in points allowed (25.3 PPG allowed) and 27th in assists allowed (10.3 APG allowed) to the position.

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues

Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET

Line: Nets 4.5 (-115) | 76ers -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets +155 | 76ers -185
Total: 215.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 5, straight up 66%, 216.8 total points.

Injury Report:
Nets: Cam Thomas, (GTD – Back); Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Nic Claxton, (GTD – Back); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OUT – Hamstring)
76ers: Kyle Lowry, (OUT – Hip); Paul George, (OUT – Knee)

Nets projections:

Dennis Schroder, PG: 34.5 FPTS (17.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Cam Thomas, SG/SF: 33.1 FPTS (23.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 29.4 FPTS (17.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Nic Claxton, C: 20.7 FPTS (9.3 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.2 ast)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 20.4 FPTS (9.6 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jalen Wilson, PF: 16.7 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.6 ast)
Ben Simmons, PG/PF: 16.1 FPTS (6.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.7 ast)

76ers projections:

Joel Embiid, C: 43.8 FPTS (27.9 pts, 9.5 reb, 4.0 ast)
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 40.5 FPTS (26.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.3 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jared McCain, SG: 27.1 FPTS (16.3 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 23.3 FPTS (12.0 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.7 ast)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 20.7 FPTS (12.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 0.9 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 16.0 FPTS (8.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 0.9 ast)
Guerschon Yabusele, PF: 14.6 FPTS (5.1 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.9 ast)

Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET

Line: Celtics -16.5 (-105) | Wizards 16.5 (-115)
Money line: Celtics -1400 | Wizards +850
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 11.7, straight up 83%, 236.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Foot)
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Groin); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Knee)

Celtics projections:

Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 54.6 FPTS (30.5 pts, 7.8 reb, 6.3 ast, 4.1 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 44.5 FPTS (25.8 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 34.2 FPTS (17.3 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.2 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 25.7 FPTS (12.3 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 24.1 FPTS (12.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Al Horford, PF/C: 22.3 FPTS (9.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Sam Hauser, SF: 17.0 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.3 3PM)

Wizards projections:

Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 32.3 FPTS (17.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Carlton Carrington, PG/SG: 26.3 FPTS (11.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.6 ast)
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 25.9 FPTS (15.9 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF: 22.4 FPTS (11.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.7 ast)
Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 21.4 FPTS (10.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.4 blk)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 19.9 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Kyshawn George, SG/SF: 19.8 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.7 ast)

Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Line: Warriors -10.5 (-115) | Pelicans 10.5 (-105)
Money line: Warriors -550 | Pelicans +380
Total: 222.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 8.8, straight up 77%, 224.0 total points.

Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for…

Nov 23, 2024

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Nov 22, 2024

Injury Report:
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Knee); Stephen Curry, (GTD – Knee)
Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, (GTD – Ankle); CJ McCollum, (GTD – Thigh); Jordan Hawkins, (GTD – Back); Yves Missi, (GTD – Shoulder); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Hand); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Shoulder); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Hamstring); Jose Alvarado, (OUT – Hamstring)

Warriors projections:

Stephen Curry, PG: 42.3 FPTS (21.2 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.9 ast, 3.4 3PM)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 27.2 FPTS (15.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.2 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 26.4 FPTS (10.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.8 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 21.7 FPTS (12.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.0 ast)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 21.6 FPTS (11.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 18.3 FPTS (6.8 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.8 ast)
Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF/C: 17.9 FPTS (8.6 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.1 ast)

Pelicans projections:

Brandon Ingram, SF: 36.6 FPTS (22.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 5.3 ast, 2.2 3PM)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 31.1 FPTS (18.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Brandon Boston Jr., SG/SF: 24.1 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.6 ast)
Antonio Reeves, SG: 22.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 20.6 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF/C: 16.8 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
Yves Missi, C: 15.0 FPTS (6.8 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.8 ast)

Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET

Line: Pacers 5.5 (-110) | Bucks -5.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers +175 | Bucks -210
Total: 236.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 1.3, straight up 54%, 236.3 total points.

Injury Report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT – Achilles); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Oblique); Jarace Walker, (GTD – Illness); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Ankle); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT – Knee)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Knee); Khris Middleton, (OUT – Ankle); Ryan Rollins, (OUT – Shoulder)

Pacers projections:

Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 37.8 FPTS (16.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 7.5 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Pascal Siakam, PF: 36.9 FPTS (21.5 pts, 7.1 reb, 3.8 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 27.8 FPTS (17.2 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.8 blk)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 26.8 FPTS (16.9 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.8 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 19.6 FPTS (9.5 pts, 2.3 reb, 3.3 ast)
Jarace Walker, PF: 14.4 FPTS (6.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.7 ast)
Obi Toppin, PF: 14.0 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.6 ast)

Bucks projections:

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 46.1 FPTS (28.7 pts, 11.6 reb, 5.9 ast, 1.5 blk)
Damian Lillard, PG: 42.9 FPTS (25.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.6 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Brook Lopez, C: 25.9 FPTS (13.9 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.0 3PM, 2.9 blk)
Bobby Portis, PF: 21.7 FPTS (11.5 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Taurean Prince, SF: 19.0 FPTS (8.2 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.8 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., SG: 18.4 FPTS (10.9 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)
AJ Green, SG: 13.5 FPTS (7.0 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)

Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET

Line: Hawks -1.5 (-110) | Bulls 1.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks -120 | Bulls +EVEN
Total: 245.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 0.1, straight up 50%, 243.5 total points.

Injury Report:
Hawks: Cody Zeller, (OUT – Personal); Seth Lundy, (OUT – Ankle)
Bulls: Coby White, (GTD – Neck); E.J. Liddell, (GTD – Elbow); Torrey Craig, (GTD – Lower Leg); Adama Sanogo, (OUT – Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT – Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Wrist)

Hawks projections:

Trae Young, PG: 44.6 FPTS (22.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 8.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jalen Johnson, PF: 41.4 FPTS (19.0 pts, 10.6 reb, 5.7 ast)
Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 26.5 FPTS (12.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.0 ast)
De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 24.0 FPTS (13.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 22.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Clint Capela, C: 22.2 FPTS (11.1 pts, 8.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
Zaccharie Risacher, PF/SF: 20.3 FPTS (11.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.7 ast)

Bulls projections:

Nikola Vucevic, C: 36.3 FPTS (19.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 3.1 ast)
Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 33.7 FPTS (20.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Coby White, PG/SG: 32.8 FPTS (19.3 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 28.3 FPTS (12.8 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.3 ast)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 23.4 FPTS (11.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.8 ast)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 18.2 FPTS (10.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.5 ast)
Torrey Craig, SF/PF: 17.3 FPTS (8.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)

Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET

Line: Blazers 12.5 (-105) | Rockets -12.5 (-115)
Money line: Blazers +500 | Rockets -725
Total: 224.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 9.6, straight up 78%, 222.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Blazers: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Hand); Deandre Ayton, (GTD – Finger); Scoot Henderson, (GTD – Quadriceps); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Knee)
Rockets: None reported

Blazers projections:

Jerami Grant, PF: 29.7 FPTS (18.7 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 27.5 FPTS (16.7 pts, 1.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF: 24.4 FPTS (16.8 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Deandre Ayton, C: 24.1 FPTS (13.1 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Toumani Camara, SF/PF: 23.3 FPTS (10.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.7 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 20.1 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.9 ast)
Dalano Banton, PG/SG/PF: 18.2 FPTS (11.4 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.0 ast)

Rockets projections:

Fred VanVleet, PG: 38.2 FPTS (16.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Alperen Sengun, C: 37.2 FPTS (18.5 pts, 10.1 reb, 4.4 ast)
Jalen Green, SG: 31.7 FPTS (19.3 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Tari Eason, SF/PF: 24.4 FPTS (11.0 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.6 ast)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 21.6 FPTS (11.3 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.2 ast)
Amen Thompson, SG/SF/PF: 20.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.0 ast)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 19.5 FPTS (11.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.6 ast)

Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets
10 p.m. ET on ESPN

Line: Mavericks 2.5 (-105) | Nuggets -2.5 (-115)
Money line: Mavericks +120 | Nuggets -140
Total: 224.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 2.8, straight up 59%, 228.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (OUT – Wrist); Luka Doncic, (OUT – Wrist)
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee); DaRon Holmes II, (OUT – Achilles); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Personal); Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Calf)

Mavericks projections:

Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 40.7 FPTS (23.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
P.J. Washington, PF: 25.1 FPTS (11.5 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.4 blk)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 21.3 FPTS (11.9 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Naji Marshall, SF/PF: 19.7 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.7 ast)
Daniel Gafford, C: 18.6 FPTS (10.0 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.5 blk)
Dereck Lively II, C: 16.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.6 blk)
Jaden Hardy, SG: 16.5 FPTS (9.5 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.2 ast)

Nuggets projections:

Nikola Jokic, C: 57.6 FPTS (28.4 pts, 12.7 reb, 8.9 ast)
Jamal Murray, PG: 38.9 FPTS (21.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 33.8 FPTS (17.5 pts, 7.3 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Christian Braun, SG: 26.1 FPTS (13.9 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.3 ast)
Russell Westbrook, PG: 24.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.1 ast)
Peyton Watson, SF/PF: 17.1 FPTS (9.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.2 ast)
Julian Strawther, SF: 15.9 FPTS (8.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.0 ast)

Sacramento Kings at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET

Line: Kings -3.5 (-105) | Clippers 3.5 (-115)
Money line: Kings -155 | Clippers +130
Total: 221.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 0.1, straight up 50%, 225.0 total points.

Injury Report:
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT – Shoulder); Malik Monk, (OUT – Ankle); Mason Jones, (OUT – Hamstring)
Clippers: Norman Powell, (OUT – Hamstring); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT – Knee); P.J. Tucker, (OUT – Not Injury Related)

Kings projections:

De’Aaron Fox, PG: 45.4 FPTS (29.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 40.1 FPTS (19.0 pts, 11.1 reb, 6.7 ast)
DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 28.4 FPTS (17.4 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.5 ast)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 25.4 FPTS (13.1 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 21.6 FPTS (9.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Trey Lyles, PF: 18.2 FPTS (9.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.3 ast)
Keon Ellis, SG: 12.4 FPTS (6.7 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.9 ast)

Clippers projections:

James Harden, PG/SG: 40.0 FPTS (18.7 pts, 7.3 reb, 8.0 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 31.9 FPTS (15.2 pts, 12.5 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.3 blk)
Kris Dunn, PG: 21.1 FPTS (8.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.1 ast)
Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 19.6 FPTS (10.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Kevin Porter Jr., SG: 17.4 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.8 ast)
Amir Coffey, SG: 16.1 FPTS (9.0 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.5 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 14.9 FPTS (6.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.1 ast)

Source: espn.com