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
The rumor mill is in full swing as we hurtle toward the trade deadline Thursday. On Monday night, James Harden was a late scratch and missed his second straight game for personal reasons, then late Monday reports surfaced that Harden has requested a trade and is working with the Clippers to facilitate one. And Harden is only one former MVP rumored to potentially change teams this week, with Giannis Antetokounmpo still the biggest name getting trade buzz.
Rumors aside, today will be busy on the court. There are 10 games on the slate, meaning two-thirds of the league will be in action. The marquee game of the night pits the Denver Nuggets, with newly returned Nikola Jokic, against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. Boston travels to Dallas to face the Mavericks and scintillating rookie Cooper Flagg, who has 83 points in his past two games. And Philadelphia is on the second half of a back-to-back against Golden State, but both former MVPs in the game may sit with Joel Embiid (knee) having played last night and Stephen Curry already listed as out.
Storylines abound today, on and off the court, so let's dig into the matchups and identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest.
Tuesday's fantasy stream team
Kyle Kuzma, PF/SF, Milwaukee Bucks (rostered in 26.4% of ESPN leagues): Kuzma has stepped up his scoring with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined these last three games, averaging 17.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 5.3 APG during that span.
Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Chicago Bulls (31.0% rostered): Dosunmu is playing well and getting more opportunity as Josh Giddey and Coby White battle injuries. In his last five outings, Dosunmu has averaged 20.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 4.2 APG in 29.2 MPG.
Isaiah Collier, PG, Utah Jazz (22.3%): Collier got the start on Sunday in place of Keyonte George (ankle) and responded with a season-high 19 points and seven assists in 30 minutes. Collier has averaged 13.8 PPG and 7.6 APG in his last five games, two of them starts, and he should start again Tuesday.
Pelle Larsson, SG, Miami Heat (12.3%): Larsson is starting and putting up impact numbers for the Heat with Tyler Herro sidelined. He has particularly picked it up over the last week, averaging 19.0 PPG, 2.7 SPG and 2.0 3PG in his last three outings.
Dre's favorite bets for Tuesday
Peyton Watson OVER 16.5 total points (-103): Watson has become a go-to scorer for the Nuggets, particularly when Aaron Gordon (out) is sidelined. Watson has developed an excellent spot-up shot from distance and gets plenty of looks created by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. He has scored 18 or more points in five of his last six games, including 29 against the Thunder in his last outing.
Bam Adebayo to score 20+ points (-143): Adebayo has scored 20 or more points in eight games in a row and 11 of his last 12 overall, averaging 22.7 PPG in that stretch. He is metronome-consistent as a scorer of late, notching between 20 and 22 points in five straight. He'll be facing a pedestrian Atlanta interior defense that ranks middle-of-the-pack in points allowed to opposing centers.
Cooper Flagg to score 20+ points (-162): Flagg is an unusual rookie for a lot of reasons, not least of which because of his physicality and confidence. He dropped 49 points two games ago to set the record for the most points ever scored in a game by a teenager, then followed that up with 34 points in his most recent game. He's facing a Celtics squad with strong defensive wings, but Flagg is playing at home, has a size advantage on all of the Celtics wings, and if he displays the relentless motor that he has shown off in the last two games he has a good chance to go over this mark.
Kelly Oubre Jr. OVER 16.5 points (-125): Oubre tends to step up his scoring when Embiid (doubtful, second half of back-to-back) is sidelined. In the eight games Oubre has played more than 15 minutes without Embiid, he has averaged 18.6 PPG with at least 17 points in five of the eight. Tonight's game also projects to be fast-paced with both Embiid and Curry sidelined, and Oubre thrives as a finisher on the break.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Luka Doncic, PG, Los Angeles Lakers ($12,000): Even as the highest-priced player of the night, Doncic can still return value against a terrible Nets perimeter defense. Even if the game becomes a blowout, Doncic tends to get his production early and has scored more than 63 fantasy points in six of his last seven games.
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks ($10,200): Johnson is fresh off a triple-double in his last outing, has scored more than 58 fantasy points in four of his last six games, and faces a Heat squad that leads the league in pace and makes for a friendly opponent to opposing power forwards.
Michael Porter Jr., SF, Brooklyn Nets ($8,800): Porter returns after a two-game absence, but in the two games prior had averaged more than 60 fantasy points. Tonight, he faces a Lakers defense that ranks 27th in fantasy points allowed to opposing small forwards.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Bobby Portis, PF, Milwaukee Bucks ($7,700): Portis has a larger role for the Bucks with Antetokounmpo sidelined and is averaging more than 33 FP/G in the three games since Giannis went down. Portis also has a good matchup against his former team, which ranks 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing power forwards.
OG Anunoby, SF, New York Knicks ($6,800): Anunoby is in one of his best stretches of the year, averaging 25.0 PPG in his last three games, and is facing a friendly Wizards defense that ranks 25th in fantasy production allowed to opposing small forwards.
Myles Turner, C, Milwaukee Bucks ($6,200): Much like teammates Portis and Kuzma, Turner has a larger role with Antetokounmpo sidelined, and a good matchup against a poor Bulls defensive frontline.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Utah Jazz ($5,900): Filipowski typically plays well when Jusuf Nurkic is sidelined, the way he will be tonight. He has legitimate 30-40 fantasy point potential on the night.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Denver Nuggets at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets +3.5 (-108) | Pistons -3.5 (-112)
Money line: Nuggets +145 | Pistons -175
Total: 228.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 2.7, straight up 58%, 236.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Christian Braun, (GTD - Ankle); Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Knee); Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Hamstring); Tamar Bates, (OUT - Foot)
Pistons: Caris LeVert, (GTD - Illness); Tolu Smith, (GTD - Calf)
Utah Jazz at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +3.5 (-112) | Pacers -3.5 (-108)
Money line: Jazz +136 | Pacers -162
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 4.7, straight up 63%, 248.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Keyonte George, (OUT - Ankle); Georges Niang, (OUT - Foot); Elijah Harkless, (OUT - Hamstring); Walker Kessler, (OFS - Shoulder)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles)
New York Knicks at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -13.5 (-105) | Wizards +13.5 (-115)
Money line: Knicks -700 | Wizards +500
Total: 227.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 14.4, straight up 86%, 234.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT - Calf); Miles McBride, (OUT - Ankle); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle)
Wizards: Anthony Gill, (GTD - Hand); Tre Johnson, (OUT - Ankle); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT - Hamstring); Trae Young, (OUT - Knee); Cam Whitmore, (OFS - Shoulder)
Los Angeles Lakers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers -8.5 (-120) | Nets +8.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Lakers -360 | Nets +285
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 5.9, straight up 66%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (GTD - Calf); Bronny James, (GTD - Lower Leg); Adou Thiero, (OUT - Knee)
Nets: Noah Clowney, (GTD - Back); Ziaire Williams, (GTD - Calf); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee)
Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +3.5 (-118) | Heat -3.5 (-102)
Money line: Hawks +136 | Heat -162
Total: 241.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 0, straight up 50%, 245.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: N'Faly Dante, (OFS - Knee); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Achilles); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT - Mouth)
Heat: Nikola Jovic, (GTD - Hip); Norman Powell, (GTD - Personal); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Ribs); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics -6.5 (-110) | Mavericks +6.5 (-110)
Money line: Celtics -258 | Mavericks +210
Total: 223.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 4.7, straight up 63%, 229.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles)
Mavericks: Brandon Williams, (GTD - Lower Leg); P.J. Washington, (OUT - Head); Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Anthony Davis, (OUT - Finger); Dante Exum, (OFS - Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS - Foot)
Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -2.5 (-112) | Bucks +2.5 (-108)
Money line: Bulls -142 | Bucks +120
Total: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 0.7, straight up 52%, 232.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Jalen Smith, (GTD - Calf); Julian Phillips, (GTD - Wrist); Kevin Huerter, (GTD - Back); Zach Collins, (OUT - Toe); Noa Essengue, (OFS - Shoulder)
Bucks: Gary Harris, (OUT - Hamstring); Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT - Oblique); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT - Calf); Taurean Prince, (OUT - Neck)
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Line: Magic +6.5 (-108) | Thunder -6.5 (-112)
Money line: Magic +215 | Thunder -265
Total: 219.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 8.6, straight up 73%, 224.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT - Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle)
Thunder: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Thigh); Chet Holmgren, (GTD - Back); Isaiah Hartenstein, (GTD - Calf); Jaylin Williams, (GTD - Shoulder); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD - Finger); Ajay Mitchell, (OUT - Abdomen); Jalen Williams, (OUT - Hamstring); Nikola Topic, (OUT - Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee)
Philadelphia 76ers at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +3.5 (-112) | Warriors -3.5 (-108)
Money line: 76ers +130 | Warriors -155
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 4.3, straight up 62%, 232.8 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Paul George, (OUT - Suspension)
Warriors: Moses Moody, (GTD - Knee); Stephen Curry, (OUT - Knee); Jonathan Kuminga, (OUT - Knee); Seth Curry, (OUT - Back); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS - Knee)
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers
11 p.m. ET
Line: Suns -2.5 (-108) | Blazers +2.5 (-112)
Money line: Suns -142 | Blazers +120
Total: 218.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 3.1, straight up 59%, 228.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Jalen Green, (GTD - Hip); Devin Booker, (OUT - Ankle)
Blazers: Duop Reath, (OFS - Foot); Deni Avdija, (GTD - Back); Jrue Holiday, (GTD - Personal); Scoot Henderson, (GTD - Hamstring); Kris Murray, (OUT - Back); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Knee); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)