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

Tuesday night’s competition for the league’s second annual in-season tournament continues with six more NBA Cup Group Play matchups.

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Boston to take on the Celtics in the game getting the most attention — and rightfully so. The Cavaliers are undefeated and looking for redemption against a Celtics team that swept them last season in the playoffs.

Below, you’ll find three prop bets from this game that caught my eye, along with a few others from around the slate that you’ll also want to know about.

Tuesday’s Stream Team

Dario Saric, PF, Denver Nuggets (available in 99.1% of ESPN leagues): The Nuggets have struggled without Nikola Jokic in the lineup for the last two games. However, Saric has stepped up, scoring 23-plus fantasy points in both games. Jokic was out due to personal reasons and is questionable for Tuesday’s matchup. If Jokic is out again, Saric is a solid streamer. If Jokic plays, Saric’s fantasy value takes a hit.

Jaylen Nowell, SG, New Orleans Pelicans (available in 99.6% of ESPN leagues): Since signing with the Pelicans earlier this month, Nowell has made the most of his opportunities. New Orleans has been dealing with multiple injuries, so he has been getting plenty of playing time. Nowell has scored 20-plus fantasy points in two of his last four games. Against the Dallas Mavericks, he should stay busy and remain a solid streaming option for managers in deeper formats.

Zach Collins, C, San Antonio Spurs (available in 97.5% of ESPN leagues): With Victor Wembanyama doubtful tonight due to a knee injury, Collins steps up as a strong streaming option. He dropped 37 fantasy points last Saturday with Wemby out. Don’t overlook Collins if you’re in need of a center.

Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets (available in 94.4% of ESPN leagues): Since coming back from a two-game absence, he’s put up 31 fantasy points in each game. His usage rate is just 15.5%, but he stays fantasy relevant by contributing across multiple categories. Plus, he’s got a great matchup against a Charlotte Hornets team that ranks 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions.

Moody’s bets for the day

Odds by ESPN BET

Anthony Davis over 28.5 points (-125): The Los Angeles Lakers rank fourth in field goal attempts at the rim and seventh in points in the paint. Davis will be at the focal point of their offensive game plan against a Utah Jazz team allowing the fifth-most points per game to centers. Davis has cleared this line in seven out of 10 games, and with Walker Kessler out, Utah will rely on John Collins or rookie Kyle Filipowski to defend him. Either way, this is a matchup that heavily favors Davis.

Donovan Mitchell over 6.5 first quarter points (-115): The Cavaliers aren’t treating this like “just another game.” Facing the Celtics, they’ll be out for payback. Mitchell should set the tone early. He’s cleared this line in seven of his last 10 games. Against Boston, he’s hit this mark in four of his last five games. Expect him to come out aggressively tonight.

Darius Garland over 6.5 assists (-140): Cavaliers’ new head coach Kenny Atkinson has brought a faster-paced offense, and it’s showing. Garland has reached at least seven assists in six out of 15 games this season. He’s also averaging 10.1 potential assists in just over 30 minutes per game. The Celtics are still missing Kristaps Porzingis, leaving their defense vulnerable in the paint. That opens the door for the Cavaliers’ big men to capitalize, giving Garland even more chances to rack up assists.

Evan Mobley over 19.5 points and assists (-130): The Celtics are a solid defensive team, but they do give up a lot of points in the paint, particularly to power forwards, and that’s right where Mobley does most of his damage. He’s cleared this line in three of his last five games. Against Boston in particular, he’s hit this mark in four of his last six matchups.

Cameron Johnson over 2.5 assists (-125): This is a solid play tonight. The Hornets aren’t a sound defensive team and give up the fifth-most assists per game to power forwards, which sets up well for Johnson. He’s hit this mark in nine out of 14 games this season while averaging 4.6 potential assists and 33.2 minutes per game. Johnson also surpassed this line in seven out of nine games last season when he played at least 33 minutes.

Miles Bridges over 16.5 points (-130): Since returning last Saturday, Bridges has cleared this line in back-to-back games, playing at least 27 minutes with 15 shot attempts in both. The Brooklyn Nets rank 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions, and Bridges has hit this mark in 18 of his last 19 games against bottom-10 defenses — including his last two against Brooklyn.

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

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
7 p.m. ET on TNT

Line: Cavaliers +4.5 (even) | Celtics -4.5 (-120)
Money line: Cavaliers 165 | Celtics -195
Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 2.6, straight up 59%, 233.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Knee); Dean Wade, (OUT – Ankle); Emoni Bates, (OUT – Knee); Max Strus, (OUT – Ankle)
Celtics: Payton Pritchard, (GTD – Thumb); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Foot)

Cavaliers projections:

• Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 41.4 FPTS (23.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)

• Darius Garland, PG: 36.1 FPTS (19.6 pts, 2.4 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Evan Mobley, PF/C: 31.0 FPTS (17.1 pts, 9.0 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.5 blk)

• Jarrett Allen, C: 29.2 FPTS (14.7 pts, 10.3 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 24.8 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.8 ast)

• Ty Jerome, PG: 18.8 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.2 ast)

• Georges Niang, PF: 16.2 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.5 ast)

Celtics projections:

• Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 50.9 FPTS (30.0 pts, 7.6 reb, 6.3 ast, 4.0 3PM)

• Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 42.4 FPTS (26.4 pts, 6.6 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Derrick White, PG/SG: 31.9 FPTS (16.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.1 ast, 3.4 3PM)

• Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 22.7 FPTS (11.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.6 ast)

• Al Horford, PF/C: 20.1 FPTS (8.5 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Neemias Queta, C: 17.8 FPTS (8.7 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.0 ast)

• Payton Pritchard, PG: 16.5 FPTS (7.9 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)

Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Hornets +3.5 (-120) | Nets -3.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Hornets 135 | Nets -155
Total: 221.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 0.8, straight up 53%, 220.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD – Back); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot); Nick Richards, (OUT – Ribs); DaQuan Jeffries, (OUT – Hand)
Nets: Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Ziaire Williams, (GTD – Hip); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OUT – Hamstring); Nic Claxton, (OUT – Back); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot)

Hornets projections:

• LaMelo Ball, PG: 49.0 FPTS (28.8 pts, 4.5 reb, 6.6 ast, 4.4 3PM)

• Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 32.5 FPTS (18.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 3.0 3PM)

• Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 30.7 FPTS (16.0 pts, 6.2 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Grant Williams, PF: 23.0 FPTS (11.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Tre Mann, PG: 19.9 FPTS (10.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Cody Martin, SG: 19.1 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Josh Green, SG/SF: 15.0 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.6 ast)

Nets projections:

• Cam Thomas, SG: 37.0 FPTS (25.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Dennis Schroder, PG: 33.4 FPTS (16.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 27.2 FPTS (15.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 21.2 FPTS (9.8 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Ben Simmons, PG/PF: 20.8 FPTS (6.8 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.8 ast)

• Ziaire Williams, SF: 18.9 FPTS (10.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Jalen Wilson, PF: 16.6 FPTS (8.7 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.9 ast)

Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET

Line: Nuggets +4.5 (-115) | Grizzlies -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Nuggets 150 | Grizzlies -175
Total: 227.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 4.4, straight up 64%, 229.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, (OUT – Achilles); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Personal); Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Calf)
Grizzlies: GG Jackson II, (OUT – Foot); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Illness); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle); Ja Morant, (OUT – Hip); Cam Spencer, (OUT – Ankle)

Nuggets projections:

• Nikola Jokic, C: 56.8 FPTS (28.4 pts, 11.4 reb, 8.9 ast)

• Jamal Murray, PG: 38.1 FPTS (20.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Michael Porter Jr., SF: 30.5 FPTS (15.8 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Christian Braun, SG: 24.9 FPTS (13.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Russell Westbrook, PG: 21.4 FPTS (11.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.6 ast)

• Peyton Watson, SF: 16.8 FPTS (9.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Julian Strawther, SF: 15.8 FPTS (8.6 pts, 1.8 reb, 2.0 ast)

Grizzlies projections:

• Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 31.4 FPTS (21.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.2 blk)

• Desmond Bane, SG/SF: 29.8 FPTS (16.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Scotty Pippen Jr., PG: 25.7 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.9 ast)

• Santi Aldama, PF/C: 21.7 FPTS (9.4 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Marcus Smart, PG/SG: 20.8 FPTS (9.9 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.5 ast)

• Jake LaRavia, PF: 19.3 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.3 ast)

• Jaylen Wells, SG: 17.7 FPTS (10.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.5 ast)

New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET

Line: Pelicans +11.5 (EVEN) | Mavericks -11.5 (-120)
Money line: Pelicans 475 | Mavericks -750
Total: 221.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 10.9, straight up 81%, 223.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Pelicans: CJ McCollum, (OUT – Thigh); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Shoulder); Jordan Hawkins, (OUT – Back); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Hand); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Hamstring); Jose Alvarado, (OUT – Hamstring)
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (OUT – Wrist); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Knee)

Pelicans projections:

• Brandon Ingram, SF: 41.2 FPTS (23.8 pts, 5.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 21.4 FPTS (11.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Javonte Green, SF: 18.6 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Yves Missi, C: 17.7 FPTS (7.9 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF/C: 17.4 FPTS (8.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Trey Jemison, C: 12.3 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.0 ast)

• Jamal Cain, SF: 12.0 FPTS (6.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.2 ast)

Mavericks projections:

• Luka Doncic, PG: 47.1 FPTS (26.6 pts, 6.6 reb, 6.4 ast, 3.3 3PM)

• Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 40.7 FPTS (23.2 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.3 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• P.J. Washington, PF: 23.2 FPTS (11.0 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Naji Marshall, SF: 18.3 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Dereck Lively II, C: 17.0 FPTS (7.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 16.2 FPTS (7.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Daniel Gafford, C: 15.0 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.1 ast)

Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
9:30 p.m. ET on TNT

Line: Thunder -9.5 (-105) | Spurs +9.5 (-115)
Money line: Thunder -425 | Spurs 320
Total: 222.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 3.5, straight up 62%, 225.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Thunder: Chet Holmgren, (OUT – Hip); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee); Isaiah Joe, (OUT – Calf); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Hand); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Hamstring)
Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, (GTD – Knee); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT – Thumb)

Thunder projections:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: 53.0 FPTS (30.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 6.5 ast)

• Jalen Williams, PF: 41.3 FPTS (20.7 pts, 6.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 23.9 FPTS (12.2 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 17.9 FPTS (6.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Aaron Wiggins, SG: 17.2 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.1 ast)

• Cason Wallace, SG: 16.2 FPTS (6.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Ajay Mitchell, PG: 14.8 FPTS (6.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.6 ast)

Spurs projections:

• Victor Wembanyama, C: 38.7 FPTS (21.7 pts, 10.1 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.7 3PM, 3.0 blk)

• Chris Paul, PG: 28.1 FPTS (10.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 5.5 ast)

• Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 25.7 FPTS (15.0 pts, 2.0 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Stephon Castle, PG: 20.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Julian Champagnie, SF: 20.1 FPTS (10.0 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Keldon Johnson, SF: 20.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Tre Jones, PG: 19.3 FPTS (7.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.0 ast)

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET

Line: Jazz +10.5 (-105) | Lakers -10.5 (-115)
Money line: Jazz 425 | Lakers -650
Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Jazz by 8.3, straight up 75%, 235.8 total points.

Injury Report:
Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Lower Leg); Walker Kessler, (OUT – Hip); Jason Preston, (OUT – Leg)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD – Foot); Bronny James, (GTD – Heel); Rui Hachimura, (GTD – Ankle); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT – Hamstring); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT – Foot); Jaxson Hayes, (OUT – Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT – Knee)

Jazz projections:

• Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF: 32.0 FPTS (19.1 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• John Collins, PF: 29.9 FPTS (15.6 pts, 8.6 reb, 2.6 ast)

• Jordan Clarkson, SG: 29.5 FPTS (17.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Keyonte George, PG/SG: 26.5 FPTS (15.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 24.4 FPTS (16.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Kyle Filipowski, PF: 20.5 FPTS (10.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Isaiah Collier, PG: 15.3 FPTS (7.3 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.6 ast)

Lakers projections:

• LeBron James, SF/PF: 46.4 FPTS (24.2 pts, 7.6 reb, 8.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Anthony Davis, PF/C: 44.3 FPTS (28.5 pts, 10.2 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.7 blk)

• Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 34.6 FPTS (17.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 23.0 FPTS (13.4 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.3 ast)

• D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 21.5 FPTS (10.7 pts, 1.4 reb, 3.8 ast)

• Dalton Knecht, SG: 19.3 FPTS (11.4 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.5 ast)

• Max Christie, SG: 13.9 FPTS (7.2 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.6 ast)

Source: espn.com