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Eric Moody
Multiple Authors
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.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Tuesday’s games
There are eight games on Tuesday’s NBA slate and six on the DFS slate.
The Philadelphia 76ers go on the road Tuesday night to face the Denver Nuggets in a cross-conference matchup. Philadelphia enters at 37-31 after a win over the Portland Trail Blazers, while Denver sits at 41-27 following a narrow overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 76ers begin a three-game road trip shorthanded, while the Nuggets look to regain momentum at home.
A key storyline for Philadelphia is its evolving rotation amid injuries. Quentin Grimes is coming off a 31-point performance, while VJ Edgecombe continues to emerge after recording a double-double in his last game. The 76ers have also found success in clutch situations this season, ranking among the league leaders in close-game wins.
The Nuggets continues to be driven by Nikola Jokic, who recorded his league-leading 27th triple-double in his last outing. Denver remains one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league, although defensive inconsistencies have led to tighter results in recent games.
The matchup presents an interesting contrast, with Philadelphia’s resilience and depth being tested against Denver’s star power and home-court advantage. After a one-point overtime battle in their previous meeting, this game could once again come down to late-game execution.
As always, let’s dig deeper into these and the other storylines on display to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this Tuesday slate.
Moody’s fantasy stream team for Tuesday
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic (rostered in 33.3% of ESPN leagues): Carter has stepped up over his last four games, scoring at least 26 fantasy points while playing over 28 minutes in each. The Thunder present a tough defensive matchup, leading the league in defensive rating, but Carter continues to produce on the offensive end. He has emerged as a reliable third option behind Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, with Franz Wagner and Anthony Black both out due to injuries.
Note: Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values section below.
Moody’s favorite bets for Tuesday
Jalen Suggs 3+ three-pointers (+119)
The Magic will need to score to keep up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially with Wagner and Black sidelined. Oklahoma City’s defense has been stifling all season and, with Banchero likely seeing Luguentz Dort and Bane dealing with Cason Wallace, Suggs should have opportunities on the perimeter. He’ll likely be matched up with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and could be forced into a high-volume shooting role, especially from deep because of the Thunder frontcourt. Suggs knocked down four 3-pointers the last time he faced the Thunder in early February and this sets up as another spot where he’ll need to let it fly.
Jalen Duren 12+ rebounds (+112)
Even though Duren finished with just three rebounds over 12 minutes in his last game against the Washington Wizards back in early February, it’s tough to fade him given his recent form and this matchup. He averaged 19.9 rebound chances over his last 10 games, and Washington has allowed the most rebounds per game to centers this season. The biggest risk is a potential blowout with the Pistons as heavy favorites, but it’s still a risk worth taking.
Justin Edwards to score 15+ points (+163)
Even though Edwards has hit this line in just three out of 51 games this season, don’t let that scare you off. This game has one of the higher totals on the slate, and the 76ers will be without Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Kelly Oubre Jr. In the three games he’s played without them, Edwards has cleared this line twice while averaging 12.7 field goal attempts and 28.4 minutes. This is a great spot for Edwards to step up.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Donovan Mitchell, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,800)
Mitchell has averaged 45.3 fantasy points per game this season and leads the Cavaliers with a 31.4% usage rate. He’s matchup-proof and faces a Milwaukee Bucks team that ranks 26th in defensive rating and has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last 30 games. Mitchell finished with 37 points, five rebounds and seven assists the last time he faced Milwaukee last November 17. He’s set up well for another big performance tonight.
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, New York Knicks ($9,000)
Towns has been superb over his last seven games, averaging 46.7 fantasy points per contest. He also draws an excellent matchup against an Indiana Pacers team that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 30 games. Jalen Brunson is questionable with ankle and neck injuries, which could raise Towns’ ceiling even further if the veteran guard is ruled out.
Evan Mobley, PF/C, Cavaliers ($8,800)
Mobley’s fantasy production has trended upward with Jarrett Allen sidelined due to a knee injury, and Allen will miss tonight’s game. Mobley has scored at least 41 fantasy points in four of his last five games and has posted a 25.4% usage rate during that stretch. He should find success against a Bucks team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 15 games.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Kon Knueppel, SG, Charlotte Hornets ($7,200)
Knueppel has been phenomenal this season and continues to widen the gap between himself and Cooper Flagg in the Rookie of the Year race. He has scored at least 33 fantasy points in three of his last five games. The matchup against the Miami Heat is intriguing, as Miami leads the league in pace and has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last 30 games. This game also features one of the higher totals on the slate, and the narrow spread suggests a competitive contest.
Jarace Walker, SF, Pacers ($7,100)
Walker has continued to produce offensively, and the third-year forward has emerged as a reliable presence for the struggling Pacers on both ends of the court. Walker has scored at least 30 fantasy points in four of his last seven games and has played adequate minutes in the rotation. The Knicks are a tough matchup, but Walker is a young player who should continue to get ample minutes — even if the Pacers get blown out in this game, which a possibility, as they are huge underdogs. Walker is also a solid streamer and is rostered in just 18.5% of ESPN leagues.
Jalen Green, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns ($6,900)
Green has been contributing across multiple categories, and the fantasy production has been excellent, having averaged 40.5 fantasy points per game over his last six outings. The only Suns player with a higher usage rate than Green (33.9%) during that stretch is Devin Booker (35.9%). Green now faces a Minnesota Timberwolves team that ranks 19th in defensive rating over the past 15 games.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Ausar Thompson, SF, Detroit Pistons ($5,800)
Thompson returned from an ankle injury against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and immediately contributed across multiple categories, playing 24 minutes without any clear restrictions. Prior to the injury, he was on a strong run, posting at least 35 fantasy points in four straight games, including two over 40. Thompson now faces a Wizards team that ranks sixth in pace and 29th in defensive rating this season, setting up a favorable, up-tempo matchup. While there’s some risk with minutes, the upside in this spot is hard to ignore at this price point, especially against a Washington team that’s given up the second most fantasy points per game to small forwards.
Bobby Portis, PF/C, Bucks ($5,700)
Portis’ playing time has trended upward recently, as he has now logged at least 26 minutes in four consecutive games. He has also scored at least 25 fantasy points in four straight, including two performances of at least 42 fantasy points. The Cavaliers present a tough defensive matchup, but Portis remains a reliable option at this price point. If Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is questionable with an ankle injury, is ruled out, Portis’ ceiling would rise significantly.
Max Strus, SG/SF, Cavaliers ($5,300)
Strus made his regular-season debut Sunday against the Mavericks, nearly eight months after undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot. He finished with 38 fantasy points in just 23 minutes.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Heat +3.5 (-102) | Hornets -3.5 (-118)
Money line: Heat +150 | Hornets -180
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 2.6, straight up 58%, 235.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD – Calf); Nikola Jovic, (GTD – Back); Pelle Larsson, (GTD – Elbow); Andrew Wiggins, (OUT – Toe); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, (OUT – Calf)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -9.5 (-115) | Magic +9.5 (-105)
Money line: Thunder -455 | Magic +350
Total: 223.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 9.2, straight up 76%, 226.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Branden Carlson, (OUT – Back); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Magic: Anthony Black, (GTD – Abdomen); Jonathan Isaac, (OUT – Knee); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -18.5 (-105) | Wizards +18.5 (-115)
Money line: Pistons -1650 | Wizards +950
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 19.5, straight up 92%, 230.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Wendell Moore Jr., (GTD – Knee); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Calf)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Hamstring); Leaky Black, (GTD – Ankle); Trae Young, (GTD – Quadriceps); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +15.5 (-108) | Knicks -15.5 (-112)
Money line: Pacers +750 | Knicks -1200
Total: 223.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 15, straight up 87%, 229.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Ankle); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD – Calf); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Ankle); Ivica Zubac, (GTD – Ankle); Micah Potter, (GTD – Triceps); Obi Toppin, (GTD – Foot); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Knee); Quenton Jackson, (GTD – Calf); T.J. McConnell, (GTD – Hamstring)
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, (GTD – Ankle); Miles McBride, (OUT – Pelvis)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -10.5 (-108) | Bucks +10.5 (-112)
Money line: Cavaliers -470 | Bucks +360
Total: 229.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 9.4, straight up 77%, 233.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson, (GTD – Ankle); Sam Merrill, (GTD – Hamstring); Craig Porter Jr., (OUT – Groin); Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Knee); Tyrese Proctor, (OUT – Quadriceps)
Bucks: Alex Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Illness); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Ankle); Myles Turner, (GTD – Calf); Ousmane Dieng, (GTD – Illness)
Phoenix Suns at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +3.5 (-105) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-115)
Money line: Suns +145 | Timberwolves -175
Total: 222.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 4.2, straight up 63%, 228.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot)
Timberwolves: Naz Reid, (GTD – Shoulder); Anthony Edwards, (OUT – Knee)
Philadelphia 76ers at Denver Nuggets
10 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +15.5 (-112) | Nuggets -15.5 (-108)
Money line: 76ers +750 | Nuggets -1200
Total: 235.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 10.7, straight up 79%, 240.1 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Dalen Terry, (GTD – Shoulder); Jabari Walker, (OUT – Illness); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Oblique); Paul George, (OUT – Suspension); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Elbow); Johni Broome, (OUT – Knee); Tyrese Maxey, (OUT – Finger)
Nuggets: Peyton Watson, (OUT – Hamstring)
San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs -13.5 (-108) | Kings +13.5 (-112)
Money line: Spurs -900 | Kings +600
Total: 236.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 13.6, straight up 85%, 232.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Dylan Harper, (GTD – Calf); Luke Kornet, (GTD – Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Kings: Malik Monk, (GTD – Ankle); Devin Carter, (OUT – Calf); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle); De’Andre Hunter, (OFS – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS – Knee); Drew Eubanks, (OFS – Thumb); Zach LaVine, (OFS – Finger)