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 game-by-game injury updates.
Jump ahead
Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & injury report
Key information for Saturday’s games
A set of six NBA games is on the schedule for fans, fantasy players, and bettors. The action begins with an afternoon contest featuring the Orlando Magic against the Minnesota Timberwolves and wraps up with the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Golden State Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks are all favored by double digits against their respective rivals, indicating a slate with some unpredictability. The point totals for today’s games show a level of balance; no game stands out significantly in either a positive or negative light. This balance is beneficial as it broadens the player pool available for investment today.
Injury updates for Saturday’s games affect several rotations, particularly with the Philadelphia 76ers missing Joel Embiid, Paul George, and VJ Edgecombe. The Warriors will also be short-handed, but their roster still offers some viable options for fantasy purposes. The Utah Jazz continue to deal with numerous injuries, leaving many starters unavailable. Consequently, Ace Bailey’s value is on the rise.
With a focus on identifying effective fantasy streamers and intriguing betting opportunities, let’s examine the upcoming NBA action.
Saturday’s fantasy stream team
Ace Bailey, SF/PF, Jazz (rostered in 35.4% of ESPN leagues): The Jazz are clearly aiming for a top lottery position, which aligns with giving Bailey significant playing time. Having exceeded 30 minutes in four consecutive games and coming off a career-high 32-point performance this past Thursday, Bailey could be a valuable addition to fantasy lineups for today’s game against the Bucks. While a rookie wing’s efficiency may vary, the potential rewards are substantial.
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Jazz (28.7% rostered): Filipowski has already shown his worth as a fantasy asset on multiple occasions. A proactive rebounder with active hands defensively, he is a solid choice for teams needing rebounding and decent peripheral stats. This matchup against the Bucks is favorable, considering Milwaukee’s limited defensive size beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jaylen Wells, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (7.8%): Despite the criticism the Jazz receive in the basketball media, the Grizzlies are also frequently fielding depleted lineups. Similar to Utah, this situation can benefit fantasy managers willing to take advantage of these struggling rosters. Wells was an impressive rookie but has had a quieter second season. With the team relying on him as a primary scorer recently, there is potential for those in need of points and steals.
Al Horford, C/PF, Warriors (9.8%): As one of the last experienced veterans for the Warriors, Horford has been effective in recent outings due to an increase in minutes and touches. The absence of Isaiah Hartenstein from the Thunder’s lineup may enhance Horford’s opportunities on the boards.
McCormick’s preferred bets for Saturday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OVER 7.5 first-quarter points (-150)
The odds on this bet are not particularly favorable, but they become even at 8.5 points. Nevertheless, SGA has a strong track record of starting well against the Warriors, having surpassed this line in all six encounters with Golden State since last season. Concentrating on the early stages of Alexander’s scoring helps mitigate the risks associated with potential blowouts that a total prop would entail.
Quentin Grimes OVER 14.5 points (-112)
With Edgecombe out and numerous minutes, shots, and touches available due to the absences of Embiid and George, Grimes has multiple avenues to reach this scoring mark. Not only is he encouraged to create his own shot while leading second units, but he will also be expected to capitalize on Tyrese Maxey’s presence.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Kawhi Leonard, SF, LA Clippers ($9,500): Leonard is the key player driving the Clippers on both ends of the court. He offers a level of cost certainty and reliability due to his consistent workload and highly efficient style of play. Additionally, Memphis lacks the personnel to effectively defend Leonard.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Keyonte George, PG, Jazz ($7,900): With Isaiah Collier ruled out and virtually no other backcourt creators to contend with, George has an excellent fantasy outlook for today’s matchup in Wisconsin. Bold as a shooter and scorer, additional creation opportunities make George a prime target for both tournaments and cash games.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Jabari Walker, PF, 76ers ($4,400): A strategy focusing on stars and discounts could involve loading up on the top players mentioned above while opting for budget-friendly options like Walker. The 76ers lack functional size without Embiid, leading to increased minutes and chances for Walker to contribute against the Atlanta Hawks this evening.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves
3 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Magic +6.5 (-112) | Timberwolves -6.5 (-108)
Money line: Magic +210 | Timberwolves -258
Total: 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 6.8, straight up 70%, 229.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jonathan Isaac, (GTD – Knee)
Timberwolves: None reported
Brooklyn Nets at Detroit Pistons
6 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +14.5 (-112) | Pistons -14.5 (-108)
Money line: Nets +625 | Pistons -950
Total: 214.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 14.4, straight up 86%, 217.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Egor Demin, (OUT – Foot)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD – Quadriceps); Jalen Duren, (GTD – Back); Ausar Thompson, (OUT – Ankle)
Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks
6 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: 76ers +6.5 (-108) | Hawks -6.5 (-112)
Money line: 76ers +225 | Hawks -278
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 4.1, straight up 62%, 241.5 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: VJ Edgecombe, (GTD – Back); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Oblique); Paul George, (OUT – Suspension); Johni Broome, (OUT – Knee)
Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD – Knee)
LA Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers -6.5 (-105) | Grizzlies +6.5 (-115)
Money line: Clippers -258 | Grizzlies +210
Total: 228.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 2.8, straight up 59%, 227.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Darius Garland, (GTD – Toe); John Collins, (OUT – Neck); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)
Grizzlies: Santi Aldama, (OUT – Knee); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger); Zach Edey, (OFS – Ankle); Kyle Anderson, (GTD – Knee)
Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +10.5 (-115) | Bucks -10.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +330 | Bucks -425
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 10.1, straight up 78%, 239.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Vince Williams Jr., (OFS – Knee); Isaiah Collier, (OUT – Personal); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Hip); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Jusuf Nurkic, (OFS – Nose); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT – Knee); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Warriors +14.5 (-108) | Thunder -14.5 (-112)
Money line: Warriors +600 | Thunder -900
Total: 219.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 11.4, straight up 80%, 227.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, (GTD – Knee); Gary Payton II, (GTD – Ankle); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Illness); Seth Curry, (GTD – Back); Will Richard, (GTD – Ankle); Moses Moody, (OUT – Wrist); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee)
Thunder: Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Ankle); Alex Caruso, (OUT – Hip); Branden Carlson, (OUT – Back); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
