Fantasy basketball selections, daily fantasy sports insights, and wagering advice for Saturday’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 detailed injury reports for each game.

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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report

Key information for Saturday’s games

Fantasy managers and bettors can look forward to a set of six NBA games. Reflecting the traditional format of the All-Star game, today’s contests feature matchups between the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Only two of the six games today involve teams from the same conference. Familiar rivalries can be advantageous due to the accumulation of head-to-head statistics, although the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons are significant favorites against the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls, respectively. While the potential for blowouts exists, it does not necessarily mean these teams should be completely avoided; rather, it is important to consider the inherent risks involved in such scenarios.

There are also promising matchups to consider; the New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Philadelphia 76ers in a game characterized by a narrow point spread and a favorable point total. The absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George for Philadelphia may create additional value across their lineup. Conversely, the Pelicans could excel offensively against a smaller opponent.

The highlight game of the day will be broadcast at 8:30 p.m. on ABC, featuring the Houston Rockets visiting Madison Square Garden to compete against the New York Knicks. The Knicks are slightly favored in this highly anticipated contest.

Taking a proactive stance on today’s games could yield positive results, especially with lineup decisions needing to be made early. With a focus on identifying effective fantasy streamers and intriguing betting opportunities, let’s examine the NBA schedule for the day.

Saturday’s fantasy stream team

Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings (Rostered in 24.3% of ESPN leagues): This promising rookie has a clear path to increased playing time in the closing weeks of the season. With Domantas Sabonis sidelined for the remainder of the season, Raynaud is expected to see significant minutes and usage against a formidable San Antonio frontcourt. Those in deeper leagues might consider Precious Achiuwa due to his recent uptick in minutes, usage, and performance. For those seeking guard depth, teammate Devin Carter is a viable option.

Jeremiah Fears, SG/PG, New Orleans Pelicans (21.1%): The name suits him well, as he shows no hesitation in seeking his own shot. With a high level of confidence and the backing of his coaching staff to create scoring opportunities, Fears is well-positioned to deliver against a 76ers backcourt that lacks effective defenders beyond V.J. Edgecombe.

Jalen Smith, PF/C, Chicago Bulls (12.1%): Similar to Raynaud, Smith now has increased playing time and opportunities in his frontcourt. With Nikola Vucevic no longer on the roster, Smith has numerous rebounding chances on a team with limited frontcourt depth.

Andre Drummond, C, Philadelphia 76ers (5.5%): Drummond may take exception to the characterization of the Sixers as undersized, as he has been logging more minutes with Embiid out recently. However, his playing time can be inconsistent, though he finds himself in a favorable position tonight against a Pelicans team that is playing the second game of a back-to-back.

McCormick’s bets for Saturday

Norman Powell over 20.5 points (-120)

The Heat are on the second leg of a back-to-back, but Powell is expected to remain the primary scorer for Miami’s fast-paced offense tonight. The key factor is the weak Memphis defense, which currently offers little resistance both on the perimeter and in the paint.

Karl-Anthony Towns over 17.5 points (-118)

Having reached this points mark in five of his last six games, KAT benefits from not having to contend with Steven Adams in this matchup. Although Towns does not receive the same shooting volume he once did for the Timberwolves, he is anticipated to play 30 minutes in a crucial prime-time game.

Devin Carter over 11.5 points (-121)

A former lottery pick who is now healthy and receiving significant minutes following Zach LaVine’s injury, Carter has averaged 28 minutes over his last four games, with a consistent flow of touches and shots. Even in a potential blowout, I expect Carter to have opportunities to score.

Top Daily Fantasy values of the day

$8,100+ salaries

Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat ($8,900)

The Grizzlies lack the personnel to effectively contain Adebayo on either end of the court. With at least 44 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, he has established a strong precedent for production. Adebayo’s combination of a high floor and impressive ceiling makes him a solid foundational choice.

Kevin Durant, SF, Houston Rockets ($8,700)

Durant is poised for a strong performance, coming off a near 60 DraftKings points outing against the Hornets. The Rockets will rely on his scoring, particularly against a New York team that can score prolifically. The expected shots, minutes, and late-game usage should all favor Durant.

$6,100-$8,000 salaries

Tyler Herro, SG, Miami Heat ($7,400)

If he is active tonight, Herro could thrive against a weak Memphis defense that ranks third-worst in the league over the past 15 games. The pace and matchup conditions are so favorable that the risks associated with Herro’s durability are worth considering.

$3,500-$6,000 salaries

Devin Carter, SG, Sacramento Kings ($5,100)

Carter’s case is strengthened by his recent ability to gather rebounds and provide assists at commendable levels. This situation highlights how usage and opportunity rates can outweigh Carter’s limited track record.

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns
5 p.m. ET

Line: Magic +1.5 (-108) | Suns -1.5 (-112)
Money line: Magic +105 | Suns -125
Total: 219.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 1.2, straight up 54%, 224.3 total points.

Injury Report:

Magic: Jalen Suggs, (GTD – Back); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)

Suns: Grayson Allen, (GTD – Ankle); Cole Anthony, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Devin Booker, (OUT – Hip); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)

Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Pelicans
7 p.m. ET

Line: 76ers -3.5 (-115) | Pelicans +3.5 (-105)
Money line: 76ers -162 | Pelicans +136
Total: 233.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1.7, straight up 55%, 238.8 total points.

Injury Report:

76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT – Lower Leg); Paul George, (OUT – Suspension)

Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (GTD – Achilles); Micah Peavy, (GTD – Toe); Trey Murphy III, (GTD – Shoulder); Yves Missi, (GTD – Calf)

Memphis Grizzlies at Miami Heat
8 p.m. ET

Line: Grizzlies +10.5 (-108) | Heat -10.5 (-112)
Money line: Grizzlies +370 | Heat -485
Total: 238.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 4.9, straight up 65%, 239.3 total points.

Injury Report:

Grizzlies: Cedric Coward, (GTD – Knee); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Knee); Scotty Pippen Jr., (GTD – Toe); Ty Jerome, (GTD – Calf); Walter Clayton Jr., (GTD – Calf); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Calf); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle); Ja Morant, (OUT – Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger)

Heat: Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)

Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET

Line: Pistons -10.5 (-115) | Bulls +10.5 (-105)
Money line: Pistons -535 | Bulls +400
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 9.5, straight up 76%, 235.2 total points.

Injury Report:

Pistons: Tolu Smith, (GTD – Knee); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Suspension)

Bulls: Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Calf); Jaden Ivey, (GTD – Knee); Zach Collins, (OUT – Toe); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder)

Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET

Line: Kings +18.5 (-112) | Spurs -18.5 (-108)
Money line: Kings +1000 | Spurs -1800
Total: 230.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 15.5, straight up 87%, 230.2 total points.

Injury Report:

Kings: Dylan Cardwell, (OUT – Ankle); De’Andre Hunter, (OFS – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS – Knee); Zach LaVine, (OFS – Finger)

Spurs: Lindy Waters III, (GTD – Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)

Houston Rockets at New York Knicks
8:30 p.m. ET

Line: Rockets +3.5 (-115) | Knicks -3.5 (-105)
Money line: Rockets +136 | Knicks -162
Total: 217.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 3.1, straight up 59%, 223.4 total points.

Injury Report:

Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)

Knicks: Miles McBride, (OUT – Pelvis)