Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Sunday

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 and player projections.

What you need to know for Sunday’s games

Sunday’s seven-game slate requires some sifting to identify the best team and player matchups worthy of our attention. Right away, you’ll notice three games have spreads of at least 11.5 points, suggesting blowouts could be part of a larger theme today if the actual outcomes align.

There are some climates for offensive upside amid the mismatches today, such as the Chicago Bulls visiting the Portland Trail Blazers. With two porous defenses and weak rebounding teams meeting, there should be several paths to strong performances from both rosters.

Victor Wembanyama makes just his second career visit to Miami. That’s intriguing, as a matchup with Bam Adebayo alone is compelling. The Heat are still in the middle of the Jimmy Butler saga, which has made players like Jaime Jaquez Jr. hard to trust until we get some clarity. As for the San Antonio Spurs, there is a rookie guard on the rise, who we’ll discuss in a bit.

Let’s take a closer look at Sunday’s action to find fantasy and betting angles of interest.

Sunday’s Stream Team

Scoot Henderson, PG, Portland Trail Blazers (rostered in 34.5% of ESPN leagues): The Trail Blazers didn’t fully empower Henderson as a rookie, in part due to his own inefficiencies as a scorer and playmaker. This season, his growth is evident as Henderson has proven himself capable of dangerous scoring stretches and double-digit assist tallies. Even if this is merely a hot run for a young player still in transition, Henderson is currently a positive fantasy producer. Today’s tilt with a leaky Chicago perimeter defense appears inviting. If, however, you need to focus more on scoring and shooting, it would be wise to pivot to Henderson’s teammate Shaedon Sharpe (49.4%).

Stephon Castle, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (26.4%): Unlike Henderson, we’re seeing some starting-caliber play from Castle early in his rookie year. Ever since being a somewhat interesting late pick in drafts this fall, Castle has (to a degree) been forgotten by the fantasy market. It’s time to pay attention again, as the two-way guard has had three straight games of at least 20 points. He can create busy box score lines with contributions all over the floor. Today’s setup against a Miami Heat team dealing with a back-to-back can be considered to be positive.

Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (49.9%): Even at the risk of becoming repetitive by regularly including Oubre in this section, it’s worth reminding fantasy managers that with Joel Embiid sidelined, this energy-driven forward has been a relatively awesome fantasy contributor. The 76ers remain poor on the glass, but Oubre has been great of late at cleaning up offensive boards and loose balls, adding up to a real double-double threat against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jaylin Williams, C, Oklahoma City Thunder (26.4%): The Thunder will be without Isaiah Hartenstein today, vaulting Williams into a prominent role in what is a savory setup against the Brooklyn Nets. With little inside resistance on most possessions against an undersized Brooklyn roster, Williams could feast.

McCormick’s bets for Sunday

Cole Anthony (ORL) over 21.5 combined points and rebounds (-115)

With impressive success as both an on-ball creator and off-ball cutter in recent games, Anthony’s scoring production appears more sustainable given the steady workload. The matchup today with the Denver Nuggets sets Anthony up against a backcourt that can run out susceptible guard defenders. Meanwhile, Anthony is one of the better rebounding guards in the game.

Kelly Oubre Jr. (PHI) over 20.5 combined points and rebounds (-110)

Seeing a rate of rebounding opportunities similar to that of prominent starting power forwards in recent weeks, Oubre has shined at cleaning up the glass for the 76ers. The Bucks are massive home favorites, but I am not that concerned about blowout issues curbing Oubre’s minutes, since Philadelphia really doesn’t have any alternatives to his blend of energy, slashing, and rebounding.

LA Clippers -4.5 points (-105) vs. Los Angeles Lakers

While these rivalry games are often close, there are some clear signs that the Clippers are currently the superior team. The reliability of a James Harden offense still works in regular season outcomes, while the Clippers have been among the elite defensive statistical teams over the past month. Certainly, the Lakers can rise to the occasion given the top-end talent on the marquee, but this just feels like a game where the Clippers are in a spot to deliver.

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

San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat
3 p.m. ET

Line: Spurs 3.5 (-115) | Heat -3.5 (-105)
Money line: Spurs +125 | Heat -145
Total: 219.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Heat by 3, straight up 60%, 221.1 total points.

Injury report:
Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, (OUT – Back); Riley Minix, (OUT – Shoulder)
Heat: Josh Richardson, (OUT – Heel); Dru Smith, (OUT – Achilles)

Spurs projections:

• Victor Wembanyama, C: 44.1 FPTS (24.2 pts, 11.2 reb, 3.6 ast, 3.0 3PM, 2.5 blk)

• Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 30.5 FPTS (16.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Chris Paul, PG: 28.8 FPTS (10.6 pts, 4.1 reb, 5.5 ast)

• Stephon Castle, PG/SG: 20.6 FPTS (11.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.1 ast)

• Keldon Johnson, SF/PF: 18.8 FPTS (10.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Harrison Barnes, PF: 17.9 FPTS (10.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Julian Champagnie, SF: 15.5 FPTS (8.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)

Heat projections:

• Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 44.0 FPTS (24.8 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.3 ast, 3.7 3PM)

• Bam Adebayo, C: 38.4 FPTS (18.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 4.3 ast)

• Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/PF: 34.3 FPTS (18.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 4.6 ast)

• Nikola Jovic, PF: 20.6 FPTS (9.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 19.7 FPTS (10.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF: 18.7 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Haywood Highsmith, SF: 16.1 FPTS (6.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.3 ast)

Denver Nuggets at Orlando Magic
6 p.m. ET

Line: Nuggets -6.5 (-105) | Magic 6.5 (-115)
Money line: Nuggets -240 | Magic +200
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Nuggets by 4.1, straight up 63%, 217.6 total points.

Injury report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD – Calf); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Elbow); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee); DaRon Holmes II, (OUT – Achilles)
Magic: Franz Wagner, (OUT – Oblique); Jett Howard, (GTD – Ankle); Gary Harris, (OUT – Hamstring); Goga Bitadze, (OUT – Concussion); Jalen Suggs, (OUT – Back); Moritz Wagner, (OUT – Knee)

Nuggets projections:

• Nikola Jokic, C: 57.1 FPTS (26.9 pts, 11.2 reb, 8.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Jamal Murray, PG: 42.9 FPTS (23.3 pts, 3.4 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Russell Westbrook, PG: 31.7 FPTS (14.6 pts, 5.0 reb, 5.0 ast)

• Michael Porter Jr., SF: 27.2 FPTS (15.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Christian Braun, SG: 20.5 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.8 ast)

• Aaron Gordon, PF: 17.1 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Julian Strawther, SF: 16.1 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.7 ast)

Magic projections:

• Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 38.7 FPTS (25.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 4.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Cole Anthony, PG: 24.9 FPTS (14.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.1 ast)

• Wendell Carter Jr., C: 20.4 FPTS (9.5 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Tristan da Silva, SF: 20.2 FPTS (10.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.8 ast)

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 19.8 FPTS (9.4 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Trevelin Queen, SG: 16.9 FPTS (7.1 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Anthony Black, PG/SG: 16.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.8 ast)

Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
7 p.m. ET

Line: 76ers 10.5 (-105) | Bucks -10.5 (-115)
Money line: 76ers +380 | Bucks -550
Total: 222.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI projection: Bucks by 14.1, straight up 87%, 220.9 total points.

Injury report:
76ers: Caleb Martin, (GTD – Groin); Guerschon Yabusele, (OUT – Knee); Kyle Lowry, (GTD – Hip); Paul George, (GTD – Groin); KJ Martin, (OUT – Foot); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee); Jared McCain, (OUT – Knee)
Bucks: AJ Green, (GTD – Quadriceps); Andre Jackson Jr., (GTD – Hip); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Illness)

76ers projections:

• Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 49.9 FPTS (29.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 6.2 ast, 3.3 3PM)

• Paul George, SF/PF: 36.5 FPTS (17.9 pts, 6.1 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 31.1 FPTS (16.2 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Ricky Council IV, SG: 20.6 FPTS (12.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Andre Drummond, C: 19.1 FPTS (9.4 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.0 ast)

• Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 14.4 FPTS (7.6 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Guerschon Yabusele, PF: 12.9 FPTS (2.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.9 ast)

Bucks projections:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 47.3 FPTS (30.2 pts, 11.9 reb, 5.8 ast, 1.2 blk)

• Damian Lillard, PG: 43.5 FPTS (24.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 6.6 ast, 3.1 3PM)

• Brook Lopez, C: 23.7 FPTS (12.5 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.8 3PM, 1.7 blk)

• Bobby Portis, PF: 23.3 FPTS (11.6 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.8 ast)

• Khris Middleton, SF: 22.1 FPTS (10.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.6 ast)

• Gary Trent Jr., SG: 18.5 FPTS (10.1 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Taurean Prince, SF: 15.5 FPTS (6.8 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.6 ast)

Brooklyn Nets at Oklahoma City Thunder
7 p.m. ET

Line: Nets 17.5 (-115) | Thunder -17.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets +1000 | Thunder -2000
Total: 217.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Thunder by 10.4, straight up 80%, 216.6 total points.

Injury report:
Nets: Cameron Johnson, (GTD – Ankle); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot); Cam Thomas, (OUT – Hamstring); Trendon Watford, (OUT – Hamstring); Maxwell Lewis, (OUT – Lower Leg); De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Knee)
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD – Wrist); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf); Chet Holmgren, (OUT – Hip); Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Toe); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee)

Nets projections:

• Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 27.7 FPTS (16.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Nic Claxton, C: 23.3 FPTS (10.6 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.9 ast)

• D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 22.6 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.3 reb, 4.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Noah Clowney, PF: 19.1 FPTS (11.1 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Ben Simmons, PG/PF: 18.9 FPTS (6.6 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.9 ast)

• Ziaire Williams, SF: 18.3 FPTS (9.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Keon Johnson, SG: 17.7 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.8 ast)

Thunder projections:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: 50.2 FPTS (29.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.6 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Jalen Williams, SF/PF/C: 38.1 FPTS (19.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 5.4 ast)

• Cason Wallace, SG: 20.8 FPTS (8.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 20.3 FPTS (10.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Jaylin Williams, C: 19.1 FPTS (7.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Isaiah Joe, SG: 16.5 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Aaron Wiggins, SG: 16.5 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.7 ast)

Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers
9 p.m. ET

Line: Lakers 4.5 (-115) | Clippers -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Lakers +145 | Clippers -170
Total: 215.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI projection: Clippers by 4.3, straight up 64%, 219.1 total points.

Injury report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD – Foot); LeBron James, (GTD – Foot); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT – Hamstring); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT – Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Ivica Zubac, (GTD – Back); James Harden, (GTD – Illness); Norman Powell, (GTD – Back); P.J. Tucker, (OUT – Not Injury Related)

Lakers projections:

• Anthony Davis, PF/C: 41.0 FPTS (23.5 pts, 11.6 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.1 blk)

• LeBron James, SF/PF: 39.8 FPTS (22.7 pts, 6.5 reb, 7.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 36.2 FPTS (18.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)

• Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 21.8 FPTS (12.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.5 ast)

• Max Christie, SG: 14.5 FPTS (7.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.5 ast)

• Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 11.3 FPTS (6.3 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 11.3 FPTS (4.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.3 ast)

Clippers projections:

• James Harden, PG/SG: 35.2 FPTS (17.9 pts, 4.9 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Norman Powell, SG/SF: 30.5 FPTS (18.9 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Ivica Zubac, C: 29.9 FPTS (13.6 pts, 12.0 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 24.0 FPTS (14.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.8 ast)

• Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 16.3 FPTS (8.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.2 ast)

• Kris Dunn, PG: 15.7 FPTS (6.1 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Kevin Porter Jr., SG: 14.7 FPTS (6.6 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.9 ast)

Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers
9 p.m. ET

Line: Bulls -5.5 (-105) | Blazers 5.5 (-115)
Money line: Bulls -215 | Blazers +180
Total: 235.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Bulls by 0.3, straight up 51%, 236.5 total points.

Injury report:
Bulls: Jevon Carter, (GTD – Illness); Lonzo Ball, (GTD – Quadriceps); Adama Sanogo, (OUT – Knee); Torrey Craig, (OUT – Ankle)
Blazers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD – Back); Deni Avdija, (GTD – Ankle); Donovan Clingan, (OUT – Ankle); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Ankle)

Bulls projections:

• Nikola Vucevic, C: 40.6 FPTS (20.9 pts, 11.5 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 36.4 FPTS (21.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Coby White, PG/SG: 34.4 FPTS (18.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 32.5 FPTS (12.9 pts, 8.2 reb, 5.6 ast)

• Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 26.3 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Patrick Williams, PF: 18.6 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Lonzo Ball, PG: 17.1 FPTS (4.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.1 ast)

Blazers projections:

• Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 34.4 FPTS (19.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF: 27.5 FPTS (16.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Jerami Grant, PF: 27.3 FPTS (15.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Scoot Henderson, PG: 25.4 FPTS (13.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.3 ast)

• Deandre Ayton, C: 24.4 FPTS (12.3 pts, 7.9 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Toumani Camara, SF/PF: 24.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Dalano Banton, PG/SG/PF: 16.3 FPTS (9.4 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.9 ast)

Washington Wizards at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards 16.5 (-105) | Kings -16.5 (-115)
Money line: Wizards +900 | Kings -1800
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI projection: Kings by 11.9, straight up 83%, 236.1 total points.

Injury report:
Wizards: Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT – Foot); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Knee); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee)
Kings: Keon Ellis, (GTD – Ankle); Devin Carter, (OUT – Wrist)

Wizards projections:

• Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 38.2 FPTS (22.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 4.6 ast, 3.2 3PM)

• Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 28.5 FPTS (17.4 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF: 25.7 FPTS (12.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.0 ast)

• Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 24.2 FPTS (11.7 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.4 blk)

• Carlton Carrington, PG/SG: 23.7 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.9 ast)

• Kyshawn George, SG/SF: 18.9 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Jonas Valanciunas, C: 18.9 FPTS (8.8 pts, 6.6 reb, 2.2 ast)

Kings projections:

• De’Aaron Fox, PG: 46.5 FPTS (26.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 46.0 FPTS (20.2 pts, 13.8 reb, 6.5 ast)

• Malik Monk, SG/SF: 38.3 FPTS (20.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 37.6 FPTS (23.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.4 ast)

• Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 27.4 FPTS (14.1 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Trey Lyles, PF: 16.4 FPTS (6.8 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 15.7 FPTS (6.8 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.9 ast)

Source: espn.com