Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Sunday’s NBA games

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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What you need to know for Sunday’s games

Today’s eight-game schedule is full of potentially revealing matchups. Can the undefeated Chicago Bulls, positioned as sizable road underdogs to the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden today, prove they are a threat in the Eastern Conference? Can Josh Giddey sustain All-Star-level play in a tough matchup?

How will the Memphis Grizzlies respond to Ja Morant‘s suspension? The Grizzlies won’t have Morant orchestrating the offense in Toronto. While rookie wing Cedric Coward won’t directly consume Morant’s creation duties, his usage, touches and shot volume will rise in this context.

Meaningful rotation shifts are already underway. It’s the duty of fantasy managers and bettors to sift for actionable information. One of the first places to check is the injury report.

For example, the Atlanta Hawks will be without offensive engine Trae Young for several weeks, vaulting Nickeil Alexander-Walker into a rewarding on-ball role. No Joel Embiid for the Philadelphia 76ers today creates even more value in the team’s budding backcourt. De’Aaron Fox‘s absence should lead to more work for rookie Dylan Harper. Keeping up with injuries is key to keeping up with the league.

Let’s take a look at this intriguing set of Sunday matchups.

Sunday’s fantasy stream team

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Atlanta Hawks (rostered in 39.7% of ESPN leagues): Adding to the endorsement above, Shai’s cousin is proving to be a capable creator and scorer now that the Hawks are empowering him. No single player will replace Young’s massive workload, although Alexander-Walker is one of the clear creators in this new-look Atlanta offense.

Ajay Mitchell, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder (39.3%): From interesting waiver flier to meaningful fantasy contributor, Mitchell is proving valuable in his current role for the Thunder. This role could shift once Jalen Williams is back in the mix, so act now while Mitchell has a strong blend of minutes and opportunities on both sides of the floor ahead of this tilt with the reeling Pelicans. With blowout ingredients present, Mitchell could play a larger role.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF/SG, Miami Heat (51.8%): The Heat have made a massive schematic shift on offense this year, leading the NBA in pace and essentially abandoning screens and pick-and-roll blueprints for a transition-filled approach. Jacquez can rebound and create just enough to be a valuable fantasy force ahead of this meeting with the Lakers.

Quentin Grimes, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (27.6%): WIth Embiid resting against the Brooklyn Nets today, the 76ers will lean on their backcourt heavily. The offense is already titled to feature perimeter creation and shooting gravity, components Grimes brings to the floor. There are some irrational confidence moments that can lead to turnovers or empty possessions, but Grimes has the role, skills, and plus matchup today in his favor.

McCormick’s favorite bets for Sunday

Luka Doncic OVER 42.5 total points and rebounds (-110)

As the league leaders in pace by nearly two possessions per 48 minutes, the Miami Heat are running the fastest offense in the NBA. The Heat are not stopping opposing playmakers, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to point guards on the season. Those added possessions are great for not just scoring results, but also cleaning the glass. This is a big number to chase, yet a blend of extreme usage, awesome matchup metrics, and an uptempo possessions climate support confidence in yet another Luka “Magic” showing.

Aaron Wiggins OVER 22.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists (-125)

With Chet Holmgren and Williams ruled out for the Thunder and with blowout implications suggesting we could see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have an early exit, Wiggins is in a good position to produce. His usage rate rises with Holmgren and Williams off the floor, as he rises in the pecking order for shot selection. The opponent offers little resistance. This could be a fun game for Wiggins and Mitchell.

Cedric Coward OVER 13.5 points (-125)

It’s an optimistic Sunday slate, with another worthy of discussion. With Coward due more touches without Morant in the rotation, the opportunities should be present. Coward, like Philly’s fun two-way rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, has exceeded expectations by playing stellar defense and capable offense right away as a pro. Today, Coward faces a Raptors team leaking points to opposing wings. Toronto has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards.

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET