Fantasy basketball selections, daily fantasy sports insights, and wagering advice for Friday’s NBA matchups.
ESPN’s daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet serves as your go-to resource prior to finalizing your lineups for the evening’s matchups. Here, you will find our top recommendations for the night, including a list of players available for streaming and comprehensive injury updates for each game.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
Key information for Friday’s games
The Philadelphia 76ers are back at home to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game that holds significant importance as the regular season approaches its conclusion. Following a commanding 153-131 victory against the Washington Wizards, the Sixers are building momentum at a crucial time, moving up to sixth in the Eastern Conference, driven by a potent offense spearheaded by Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. With only a few games left, every outcome is critical as Philadelphia aims to secure its playoff spot.
Conversely, the Timberwolves find themselves in a different situation. Minnesota is mostly settled within its playoff range in the Western Conference and is coming off a defeat to the Detroit Pistons after a back-to-back. Although the Timberwolves have shown inconsistency lately, their defense remains among the league’s best, and the possible return of Anthony Edwards could greatly influence this contest.
This matchup highlights a difference in urgency and rhythm. The Sixers will strive to capitalize on their offensive momentum and leverage their home advantage, while the Timberwolves will focus on their defensive strengths and manage player rotations as they gear up for the playoffs. With injuries affecting both teams, the final result may hinge on which squad can adapt and perform effectively in the closing moments.
Additionally, today marks the first instance in the past 35 seasons where five NBA spreads exceed 15 points. Previously, no more than three such spreads have occurred on a single day during this timeframe. It also features the highest average spread (12.2) for any day in the last 35 seasons with a minimum of seven games on the schedule.
Letβs explore these narratives further to pinpoint fantasy streamers, betting opportunities, and DFS options of interest for Friday’s nine-game lineup.
Friday’s fantasy stream team
Ja’Kobe Walter, SG, Toronto Raptors (rostered in 1.2% of ESPN leagues): Walter’s playing time has increased over his last four games, and he has achieved at least 22 fantasy points in each of those contests. He has taken advantage of Immanuel Quickley’s absence due to a foot injury and faces a favorable matchup against a Memphis Grizzlies defense that has surrendered the second most fantasy points per game to shooting guards in the last 30 games. Walter also represents a solid DFS value at $4,500.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Moody’s preferred bets for Friday
Tyrese Maxey 40+ points, rebounds and assists (-124)
Maxey has surpassed this threshold in 34 out of 64 games this season, averaging 38.4 minutes with a 30.3% usage rate. He faces a favorable matchup against a Timberwolves team that has allowed the fifth-most points per game to point guards in the last 30 games. Maxey also exceeded this mark in their earlier encounter on February 22.
Scottie Barnes to record a double double (-109)
Barnes has achieved a double-double in five of his last nine games without Quickley. During this period, he has averaged 14.0 field goal attempts, 9.5 rebound opportunities, and 15.8 potential assists per game. He is set to face a Grizzlies team that ranks 30th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, making this a favorable situation for Barnes, particularly as a facilitator.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks ($10,600)
Johnson has been a fantasy powerhouse, excelling in both DFS and season-long formats. He has recorded 46 double-doubles and 13 triple-doubles while averaging 50.7 fantasy points per game. Johnson faces a favorable matchup against a Brooklyn Nets team that ranks 28th in defensive rating. The primary concern is the potential for a blowout, as Atlanta is heavily favored.
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, Boston Celtics ($9,600)
Brown is enjoying an exceptional season, carrying the Celtics for much of the year while Jayson Tatum recovered from an Achilles injury. He has averaged 46.8 fantasy points per game and has scored at least 55 in each of his last three games. The Milwaukee Bucks rank 27th in defensive rating over the last 15 games and have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards during that timeframe. Brown is well-positioned to deliver another strong performance, even with Boston as the favorite.
Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets ($9,000)
Sengun and the Rockets are significant favorites against the Utah Jazz, which introduces some blowout risk, but the potential is hard to overlook. Sengun has scored at least 38 fantasy points in seven consecutive games, including two performances exceeding 76 points. Utah ranks 26th in defensive rating and second in pace over the last 15 games, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to centers during that period.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Paul George, SF/PF, 76ers ($7,900)
George has been outstanding since returning from his suspension four games ago, scoring at least 53 fantasy points in three of those games. With Joel Embiid doubtful for Friday’s matchup against the Timberwolves, George is expected to see an increase in usage. He will also avoid Jaden McDaniels, one of Minnesota’s top defenders, who has already been ruled out. The star forward is in an excellent position here.
Rudy Gobert, C, Timberwolves ($7,400)
Gobert has averaged 36.5 fantasy points over his last seven games and faces a favorable matchup against a 76ers team likely to be without Embiid. Although he is coming off a quieter performance, he has been more involved offensively in recent games and continues to be a reliable source of rebounds and defensive statistics. He is in a solid position to bounce back against a Philadelphia team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to centers in the last 15 games.
Desmond Bane, SG, Orlando Magic ($7,100)
Bane is coming off a subpar game against the Hawks on Wednesday, scoring only 19.5 fantasy points. However, he has averaged 34.6 fantasy points per game this season and faces a favorable matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards in the last 15 games. Franz Wagner returned on Wednesday but was limited, so his presence should not deter targeting Bane.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Collin Sexton, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls ($5,600)
Sexton continues to play a significant role for the Bulls, scoring at least 31 fantasy points in five of his last six games. The Bulls’ rotation has been anything but stable this season, but Sexton seems to be in good standing currently and should receive ample minutes against the New York Knicks on Friday night. He is also a strong streaming option, as he is rostered in only 38.3% of ESPN leagues.
Neemias Queta, C, Celtics ($5,300)
Queta has recorded 15 double-doubles so far in what has been a solid season with the Celtics. He has scored at least 26 fantasy points in four consecutive games, including one with 41.8 points. Queta should continue to find success on Friday against a Bucks defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last seven games. He is also a very good streaming option for those in need of a big man, as he is rostered in just 38.7% of ESPN leagues.
Jamal Shead, PG, Raptors ($4,700)
Shead has stepped up with Quickley out of the lineup, scoring at least 20 fantasy points in five of his last six games, including two with 34 or more. He is expected to see significant minutes against a Grizzlies defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to point guards in the last 15 games. Shead is also a viable streaming option, as he is rostered in only 3.7% of ESPN leagues.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +15.5 (-105) | Hornets -15.5 (-115)
Money line: Pacers +800 | Hornets -1350
Total: 234.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 15.7, straight up 88%, 232.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Obi Toppin, (GTD – Foot); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Neck); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT – Back); Jarace Walker, (OUT – Back); T.J. McConnell, (OUT – Hamstring); Ivica Zubac, (OFS – Ribs); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Hornets: Grant Williams, (GTD – Knee); PJ Hall, (GTD – Ankle)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves +2.5 (-112) | 76ers -2.5 (-108)
Money line: Timberwolves +114 | 76ers -135
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 1, straight up 53%, 234.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD – Knee); Jaden McDaniels, (OUT – Knee)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Illness); Johni Broome, (OUT – Knee)
Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks -16.5 (-110) | Nets +16.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks -1650 | Nets +950
Total: 225.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 12, straight up 82%, 225.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Jock Landale, (OUT – Ankle)
Nets: Nic Claxton, (GTD – Hand); Noah Clowney, (GTD – Ankle); Danny Wolf, (OUT – Ankle); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot)
Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Bulls +15.5 (-112) | Knicks -15.5 (-108)
Money line: Bulls +850 | Knicks -1450
Total: 237.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 13.1, straight up 84%, 233.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Ankle); Josh Giddey, (GTD – Hamstring); Lachlan Olbrich, (GTD – Foot); Mac McClung, (GTD – Abdomen); Nick Richards, (GTD – Elbow); Tre Jones, (GTD – Ankle); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Wrist); Jalen Smith, (OFS – Calf)
Knicks: None reported
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +16.5 (-105) | Rockets -16.5 (-115)
Money line: Jazz +1000 | Rockets -1800
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 14.8, straight up 87%, 234.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Isaiah Collier, (OUT – Hamstring); Keyonte George, (OUT – Hamstring); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Hip); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Jusuf Nurkic, (OFS – Nose); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Toronto Raptors at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors -13.5 (-115) | Grizzlies +13.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors -1000 | Grizzlies +650
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 8.1, straight up 74%, 233.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Jamison Battle, (GTD – Illness); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Foot); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
Grizzlies: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, (GTD – Back); Taj Gibson, (GTD – Foot); Cam Spencer, (OUT – Back); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OFS – Calf); Ja Morant, (OFS – Elbow); Jaylen Wells, (OFS – Toe); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger); Santi Aldama, (OFS – Knee); Scotty Pippen
