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André Snellings
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 Wednesday’s games
The NBA schedule is absolutely jam-packed with 12 games on tap tonight. Five of those games feature two teams both in the playoff race, including the marquee matchup of the night, with the Western top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder traveling to face the Boston Celtics. According to DraftKings, these are the two teams with the best odds to win the championship, making this game a potential Finals preview.
Another huge battle pits two of the Western squads logjammed in the West, with one game separating the fourth and sixth seeds. The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Houston Rockets with a half-game advantage, trying to hold onto their spot despite the continued absence of Anthony Edwards. Both teams come in having won two of their last three games.
And the Atlanta Hawks, the hottest team in the Eastern Conference with 13 wins in their last 14 games, hit the road to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are on a four-game winning streak, even with Cade Cunningham sidelined, and maintain a five-game lead in the conference.
All these and many other storylines will be on display tonight. As always, we’ll dig deeper into the action to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles of interest and DFS plays for this Wednesday night slate.
Dré’s fantasy stream team for Wednesday
Daniss Jenkins, PG, Pistons (rostered in 32.6% of ESPN leagues): Jenkins is really leaning into his lead role as the point guard for the Pistons with Cunningham sidelined. He has exploded in his last two games, averaging 26.0 PPG and 8.0 APG in wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
Kennedy Chandler, PG, Utah Jazz (7.2% rostered): Chandler has played two games for the Jazz, and both have been impressive. After dropping 19 points and four assists in his debut, he followed that up by falling an assist shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine dimes. With Brice Sensabaugh out tonight, Chandler could have an even larger role for his third game.
Gary Payton II, SG, Warriors (9.1% rostered): Payton has really stepped up his game in the last month, averaging 14.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 2.0 SPG in 22.8 MPG over his last 11 contests. He could be in for a larger role now with the unfortunate injury to Moses Moody.
Bones Hyland, PG, Timberwolves (3.6% rostered): Hyland has stepped up in Edwards’ absence, averaging 20.0 PPG and 3.3 APG in those four games. Hyland could have an even bigger role tonight if Ayo Dosunmu (questionable, calf) is unable to go.
Dré’s favorite bets for Wednesday
Thunder -2.5 (-105) over Celtics
The Thunder have forgotten how to lose, winning 12 straight games since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s return from injury. Now Jalen Williams is back and working himself back into the lineup as well, making the Thunder as healthy as they’ve been all season. The Celtics are also playing well with the return of Jayson Tatum, but they are still finding their level, as evidenced by their 10-point loss to the Timberwolves in their last outing. The Thunder beat the Celtics by two points a couple weeks ago, the only win in their streak by less than three points, and I look for them to repeat the win by a larger margin tonight.
Daniss Jenkins OVER 24.5 points + assists (-109)
Jenkins has stepped up as the primary offense creator for the Pistons, dropping 22 points and eight assists two games ago and following that up with 30 points and eight assists on Monday. The Pistons will rely on his offense on Wednesday to try to slow the streaking Atlanta Hawks, so he should continue to see high usage.
Bones Hyland 16+ points (-120)
Hyland has stepped up and provided instant offense off the bench, averaging 20.0 PPG in his last four games with Edwards sidelined. He can get hot in a hurry, and with Edwards and possibly Dosunmu sidelined, Hyland should continue to have the green light to shoot for the Timberwolves.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
James Harden, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,100): Harden has notched more than 45 fantasy points in four straight games and tonight faces the fast-paced Miami Heat, which rank 30th in the NBA in fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards.
Bam Adebayo, C, Cavaliers ($9,000): Even without focusing on Adebayo’s record-setting night a couple of weeks back where he dropped 107.8 fantasy points, he has still scored more than 42 fantasy points in six of his last eight games.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Ace Bailey, SF/PF, Jazz ($7,300): The Jazz have leaned fully into their rebuild, which means the ultimate green light for their lottery rookie. Bailey has scored more than 50 fantasy points in three straight games.
Daniss Jenkins, PG, Pistons ($6,300): Jenkins has dropped 43.8 and 48 fantasy points in his last two games as the starting point guard for the Pistons with Cunningham sidelined.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Bub Carrington, PG/SG, Washington Wizards ($5,600): Carrington has scored more than 28 fantasy points in three of his last four games and has an excellent matchup tonight against a very friendly Jazz defense.
Bones Hyland, PG/SG, Timberwolves ($5,000): Hyland is a primary scorer for the Timberwolves with Edwards sidelined, averaging more than 28 fantasy points in his last four outings.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Hawks +2.5 (-110) | Pistons -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks +124 | Pistons -148
Total: 228.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 4, straight up 63%, 232.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Jalen Johnson, (GTD – Shoulder)
Pistons: Javonte Green, (GTD – Ankle); Marcus Sasser, (GTD – Hip); Wendell Moore Jr., (GTD – Knee); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Calf); Cade Cunningham, (OUT – Chest)
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers -10.5 (-110) | Pacers +10.5 (-110)
Money line: Lakers -575 | Pacers +425
Total: 238.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 8.8, straight up 75%, 236.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Adou Thiero, (GTD – Knee); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Ankle); Nick Smith Jr., (GTD – Back); Rui Hachimura, (GTD – Calf)
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Ankle); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD – Calf); Obi Toppin, (GTD – Foot); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Knee); Ivica Zubac, (OFS – Ribs); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +6.5 (-110) | 76ers -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Bulls +200 | 76ers -245
Total: 240.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 5.4, straight up 67%, 240.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Wrist); Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Ankle); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Knee); Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Knee); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Oblique); Quentin Grimes, (GTD – Illness); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Elbow); Johni Broome, (OUT – Knee); Tyrese Maxey, (OUT – Finger)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -2.5 (-105) | Celtics +2.5 (-115)
Money line: Thunder -142 | Celtics +120
Total: 218.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 2.7, straight up 59%, 217.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic, (OUT – Finger)
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Heat +2.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Heat +124 | Cavaliers -148
Total: 243.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 6, straight up 68%, 246.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Jahmir Young, (OUT – Undisclosed); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, (GTD – Knee)
San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs -17.5 (-105) | Grizzlies +17.5 (-115)
Money line: Spurs -1600 | Grizzlies +900
Total: 233.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 10.8, straight up 80%, 237.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, (OUT – Back); Luke Kornet, (OUT – Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Grizzlies: Jahmai Mashack, (GTD – Ankle); Javon Small, (GTD – Back); Jaylen Wells, (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OFS – Calf); Ja Morant, (OFS – Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger); Santi Aldama, (OFS – Knee); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OFS – Toe); Zach Edey, (OFS – Ankle)
Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +4.5 (-115) | Jazz -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizards +150 | Jazz -180
Total: 239.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Jazz by 3.5, straight up 61%, 243.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Heel); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD – Back); Alex Sarr, (OUT – Toe); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Trae Young, (OUT – Quadriceps); Tre Johnson, (OUT – Foot); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Jazz: Cody Williams, (GTD – Shoulder); Kyle Filipowski, (GTD – Illness); 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)
Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves
9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Rockets -1.5 (-115) | Timberwolves +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Rockets -125 | Timberwolves +110
Total: 224.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 3.3, straight up 60%, 225.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Timberwolves: Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD – Calf); Anthony Edwards, (OUT – Knee)
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets
10 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +12.5 (-115) | Nuggets -12.5 (-105)
Money line: Mavericks +525 | Nuggets -750
Total: 244.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 9.5, straight up 77%, 242.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Brandon Williams, (GTD – Concussion); Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Shoulder); Caleb Martin, (OUT – Heel); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD – Hamstring); Peyton Watson, (GTD – Hamstring)
Brooklyn Nets at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +12.5 (-115) | Warriors -12.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets +455 | Warriors -625
Total: 217.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 11.5, straight up 81%, 222.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Danny Wolf, (OUT – Ankle); Noah Clowney, (OUT – Wrist); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot)
Warriors: Al Horford, (OUT – Calf); Quinten Post, (OUT – Foot); Seth Curry, (OUT – Thigh); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee); Moses Moody, (OFS – Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks +12.5 (-108) | Blazers -12.5 (-112)
Money line: Bucks +500 | Blazers -700
Total: 225.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 7.4, straight up 72%, 229.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Bobby Portis, (GTD – Wrist); Kyle Kuzma, (GTD – Achilles); Gary Harris, (OUT – Groin); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Knee); Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT – Knee)
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Foot); Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Vit Krejci, (GTD – Calf); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Toronto Raptors at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +4.5 (-118) | Clippers -4.5 (-102)
Money line: Raptors +154 | Clippers -185
Total: 226.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 4, straight up 63%, 222.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Brandon Ingram, (GTD – Heel); Immanuel Quickley, (GTD – Foot); Jakob Poeltl, (GTD – Back); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (GTD – Back); Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)