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

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 Wednesday’s games

The Emerites NBA Cup Group Play schedule concluded on Tuesday night, setting the field for the knockout rounds this week and championship rounds next week. The NBA released two new games for every team that didn’t qualify for the knockout rounds, meaning we finally know every team’s official schedule for the season. Tonight’s games were already planned, and will feature a relatively light schedule for a Wednesday with only six contests.

Some general storylines of interest include the Milwaukee Bucks aiming for their eighth win in a row against an Atlanta Hawks team that has won four straight themselves, so something has to give. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who had been struggling, blew out the Los Angeles Lakers in their last gams. Was that a slumpbuster, or will they regress tonight against the LA Clippers?

Speaking of the Lakers, there was a lot of buzz yesterday about LeBron James struggling of late. Can he re-find his King magic when he returns to his old stomping grounds in Miami?

These, and other storylines will be on display tonight. As always, let’s dig a little deeper to identify some fantasy hoops streaming options and betting angles of interest in tonight’s games.

Wednesday’s Stream Team

Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics (Available in 47.5% of ESPN leagues)

Pritchard is scorching right now. He has scored 20 or more points in four straight games, all off the bench, and in that stretch is averaging 24.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.3 3PG, 3.0 APG, 1.3 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 31.0 MPG.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando Magic (88.7% available)

Caldwell-Pope opened the season in a serious shooting slump but has shown signs of breaking out this week. In his last four games, he has averaged 17.0 PPG (61.5 FG%, 54.8 3P%), 4.3 3PG and 2.0 SPG in 31.0 MPG.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves (95.6% available)

Alexander-Walker, who the Timberwolves’ announcers affectionately call ‘Naw’ based on his initials, has scored in double-figures in a season-best four consecutive games. During that stretch, he has averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.3 3PG, 0.8 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 26.0 MPG off the bench.

Dre’s bets for Wednesday

Jalen Johnson over 18.5 points (-115)

Johnson has scored 19 or more points in six straight games, averaging 22.3 PPG during that stretch. He has become one of the most consistent of the Hawks’ producers, and is a good bet to be heavily involved in the offense again in what shapes up as a strong matchup with a lot of scoring potential on Wednesday.

LeBron James over 8.5 assists (-130)

LeBron has been in a major shooting slump of late, making only 39.6% from the field and 7.7% from behind the arc over his past five games. But even with his shot off, he’s still distributing the ball at a high level. In that same five-game stretch, LeBron has been slightly better than his season-average with 9.0 APG, and he has dished 10 or more assists in three of those five games. On Wednesday, he faces a Miami Heat team allowing the sixth-most assists in the NBA to opposing point guards (9.5 APG)

Tyrese Haliburton over 17.5 points (-115)

Haliburton has been slowly rounding into form, and due to his slow start his lines are still lower than his current level. Haliburton has averaged 23.3 PPG over his past six games, and has scored 18 or more in six of his past seven overall. On Wednesday he faces a Brooklyn Nets squad that allows the third-most points in the NBA to opposing point guards.

play2:59Who should NBA fantasy managers target on the trade market?

Andre’ Snellings advises NBA fantasy managers which players to keep and which ones to trade away, including Tyrese Haliburton and Joel Embiid.

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

Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Pistons +14.5 (-110) | Celtics -14.5 (-110)
Money line: Pistons +800 | Celtics -1600
Total: 221.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 13.2, straight up 85%, 225.8 total points.

Injury Report:
Pistons: Bobi Klintman, (OUT – Calf)
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (GTD – Knee); Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Knee)

Pistons projections:

• Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 42.6 FPTS (24.2 pts, 6.4 reb, 7.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 27.5 FPTS (16.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.3 ast)

• Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 25.4 FPTS (13.1 pts, 5.9 reb, 2.7 ast)

• Malik Beasley, SG: 21.0 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Jalen Duren, C: 20.7 FPTS (10.3 pts, 8.6 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 14.7 FPTS (6.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 14.5 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.5 ast)

Celtics projections:

• Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 49.0 FPTS (27.4 pts, 8.1 reb, 5.9 ast, 3.6 3PM)

• Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 41.9 FPTS (25.8 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Derrick White, PG/SG: 32.2 FPTS (16.2 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.3 ast, 3.4 3PM)

• Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 23.5 FPTS (11.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.6 ast)

• Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 22.7 FPTS (13.3 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Payton Pritchard, PG: 22.2 FPTS (10.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Al Horford, PF/C: 19.6 FPTS (8.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)

Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Pacers -2.5 (-110) | Nets +2.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers -135 | Nets +115
Total: 225.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Nets by 0.5, straight up 52%, 233.3 total points.

Injury Report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT – Achilles); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Ankle); Ben Sheppard, (OUT – Oblique)
Nets: Ben Simmons, (GTD – Back); Cameron Johnson, (GTD – Ankle); Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot); Ziaire Williams, (OUT – Knee); Cam Thomas, (OUT – Hamstring); Noah Clowney, (OUT – Ankle)

Pacers projections:

• Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 41.2 FPTS (20.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 7.4 ast, 3.1 3PM)

• Pascal Siakam, PF: 37.1 FPTS (21.0 pts, 6.7 reb, 3.9 ast)

• Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 30.7 FPTS (18.8 pts, 7.4 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Myles Turner, C: 28.9 FPTS (16.5 pts, 7.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.0 blk)

• Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 21.7 FPTS (10.1 pts, 2.2 reb, 4.3 ast)

• T.J. McConnell, PG: 20.5 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.2 ast)

• Jarace Walker, PF: 16.8 FPTS (7.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.7 ast)

Nets projections:

• Dennis Schroder, PG: 35.6 FPTS (18.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 28.5 FPTS (15.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Nic Claxton, C: 20.8 FPTS (9.7 pts, 7.7 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 20.4 FPTS (9.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Keon Johnson, SG: 17.9 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Jalen Wilson, PF: 16.5 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Ben Simmons, PG/PF: 16.5 FPTS (5.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.9 ast)

Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Lakers +2.5 (-115) | Heat -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Lakers +110 | Heat -130
Total: 216.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 2.4, straight up 58%, 223.0 total points.

Injury Report:
Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT – Foot); Anthony Davis, (GTD – Foot); Austin Reaves, (GTD – Pelvis); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (GTD – Groin); Bronny James, (OUT – Heel); Jaxson Hayes, (OUT – Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT – Knee)
Heat: Jimmy Butler, (GTD – Knee); Josh Richardson, (GTD – Illness); Kevin Love, (GTD – Back); Kel’el Ware, (OUT – Foot); Nikola Jovic, (OUT – Ankle)

Lakers projections:

• Anthony Davis, PF/C: 42.3 FPTS (24.3 pts, 11.9 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.7 blk)

• LeBron James, SF/PF: 39.5 FPTS (20.8 pts, 8.0 reb, 7.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 26.7 FPTS (14.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 25.7 FPTS (13.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 22.5 FPTS (12.6 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 20.4 FPTS (11.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Max Christie, SG: 10.6 FPTS (5.8 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.3 ast)

Heat projections:

• Bam Adebayo, C: 42.6 FPTS (18.5 pts, 10.4 reb, 5.4 ast)

• Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 40.6 FPTS (24.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 4.9 ast, 3.5 3PM)

• Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/PF: 32.1 FPTS (18.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.5 ast)

• Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 21.0 FPTS (12.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF: 20.7 FPTS (10.0 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.1 ast)

• Haywood Highsmith, SF: 15.9 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Duncan Robinson, SF: 15.5 FPTS (8.6 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.1 3PM)

Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Magic -5.5 (-110) | 76ers +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Magic -210 | 76ers +175
Total: 208.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1.4, straight up 55%, 209.3 total points.

Injury Report:
Magic: Gary Harris, (GTD – Hamstring); Goga Bitadze, (GTD – Ankle); Paolo Banchero, (OUT – Oblique)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Knee); Andre Drummond, (OUT – Ankle)

Magic projections:

• Franz Wagner, SF/PF: 46.1 FPTS (23.6 pts, 5.9 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 29.0 FPTS (15.3 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Wendell Carter Jr., C: 19.8 FPTS (8.3 pts, 6.7 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 19.7 FPTS (9.9 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Goga Bitadze, C: 19.2 FPTS (7.2 pts, 7.2 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.6 blk)

• Moritz Wagner, C: 18.5 FPTS (10.9 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Tristan da Silva, SF: 16.8 FPTS (8.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.9 ast)

76ers projections:

• Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 44.7 FPTS (26.2 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 3.1 3PM)

• Joel Embiid, C: 37.4 FPTS (24.3 pts, 7.4 reb, 3.6 ast)

• Paul George, SF/PF: 33.8 FPTS (16.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 24.1 FPTS (13.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Jared McCain, SG: 19.9 FPTS (12.0 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Guerschon Yabusele, PF: 18.2 FPTS (6.1 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.1 ast)

• Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 17.2 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.2 ast)

Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET

Line: Hawks +4.5 (-115) | Bucks -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Hawks +145 | Bucks -175
Total: 236.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 5.4, straight up 67%, 238.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Hawks: Trae Young, (GTD – Achilles); Cody Zeller, (OUT – Personal); Seth Lundy, (OUT – Ankle)
Bucks: Khris Middleton, (OUT – Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Neck)

Hawks projections:

• Trae Young, PG: 40.6 FPTS (20.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 8.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Jalen Johnson, PF: 38.9 FPTS (19.5 pts, 9.2 reb, 5.7 ast)

• Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 27.4 FPTS (12.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.2 ast)

• Clint Capela, C: 24.3 FPTS (11.4 pts, 9.0 reb, 1.6 ast)

• De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 23.6 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 22.1 FPTS (12.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Zaccharie Risacher, PF/SF: 19.7 FPTS (11.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.7 ast)

Bucks projections:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 46.6 FPTS (30.0 pts, 11.0 reb, 6.6 ast, 1.4 blk)

• Damian Lillard, PG: 44.1 FPTS (26.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 6.9 ast, 3.3 3PM)

• Brook Lopez, C: 23.7 FPTS (12.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.9 3PM, 2.5 blk)

• Bobby Portis, PF: 22.4 FPTS (11.8 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Khris Middleton, SF: 19.8 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.1 ast)

• Gary Trent Jr., SG: 17.9 FPTS (10.3 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Taurean Prince, SF: 17.4 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.6 ast)

Minnesota Timberwolves at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET

Line: Timberwolves -2.5 (-115) | Clippers +2.5 (-105)
Money line: Timberwolves -150 | Clippers +125
Total: 214.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 0.1, straight up 51%, 215.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Joe Ingles, (OUT – Calf); Rob Dillingham, (OUT – Ankle)
Clippers: P.J. Tucker, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Kevin Porter Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Kobe Brown, (GTD – Back); Terance Mann, (GTD – Finger); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT – Knee)

Timberwolves projections:

• Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 41.6 FPTS (25.2 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.1 ast, 3.4 3PM)

• Julius Randle, PF: 33.3 FPTS (20.5 pts, 6.1 reb, 3.9 ast)

• Rudy Gobert, C: 26.8 FPTS (12.4 pts, 11.0 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.3 blk)

• Mike Conley, PG: 23.5 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.1 ast)

• Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 21.7 FPTS (9.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Naz Reid, PF/C: 20.6 FPTS (11.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Jaden McDaniels, SF: 19.0 FPTS (9.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.6 ast)

Clippers projections:

• James Harden, PG/SG: 41.0 FPTS (20.6 pts, 6.1 reb, 7.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Ivica Zubac, C: 28.6 FPTS (13.6 pts, 11.6 reb, 2.7 ast)

• Norman Powell, SG/SF: 28.5 FPTS (18.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 16.8 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 0.9 ast)

• Kris Dunn, PG: 16.7 FPTS (6.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.6 ast)

• Amir Coffey, SG: 15.0 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.5 ast)

• Terance Mann, SG/SF: 13.7 FPTS (6.5 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.8 ast)

Source: espn.com