Fantasy basketball picks, DFS 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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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report

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What you need to know for Sunday’s games

The five-game slate comes during the NBA’s “silly season,” with motivations varying widely from contenders to lottery-bound teams. The slate includes one clear blowout risk along with several more investable matchups.

Even as 20-plus point underdogs to the Oklahoma City Thunder yesterday, the Washington Wizards offered enough competition to fuel production from Oklahoma City’s stars. Which is to say, there is even value in today’s matchup between the Wizards and New York Knicks, a game that has New York favored by 19.5 points.

The absence of Anthony Edwards for the Minnesota Timberwolves undeniably curbs the playoff feel of tonight’s matchup with the Boston Celtics. There are still paths to value in this contest, as you’ll read below. The Portland Trail Blazers are testing their defense and playoff mettle against the Denver Nuggets, owners of the league’s No. 1 offensive rating.

Even meetings between two lottery-bound teams can prove intriguing. The Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings meet in a contest for the longest injury report, but there should still be several helpful names to consider in this game. The strongest matchup of the day might be the nightcap, with the Phoenix Suns hosting the Toronto Raptors. Both teams are vying to make an impact in their conferences, with tonight’s game serving as a runway toward that goal.

With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.

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McCormick’s fantasy stream team for Sunday

Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Timberwolves (rostered in 39.7% of ESPN leagues): With Edwards sidelined, Dosunmu is emerging as a league-winner in fantasy terms. Thanks to a surge in usage, the combo guard has flirted with triple-double outcomes in recent games. The Celtics present a strong defensive front, but Dosunmu’s big role helps counter any matchup concerns.

Maxime Raynaud, C, Kings (39.2% rostered): The rare positive for the Kings during an otherwise disappointing season, Raynaud’s ascent as a gifted multi-level scorer has come much earlier than expected. The Kings are likely to lean on the rookie center again Sunday versus a Nets team that lacks size and depth in the frontcourt.

Bilal Coulibaly, SF/SG, Wizards (22.2%): Even with the Knicks set as massive favorites, the Wizards appear set to stick with their plan of trusting the process. Coulibaly just produced a strong line in the loss to Oklahoma City, setting a precedent for success in such spots.

Nique Clifford, SG, Kings (13.3%): If minutes are the coin of the realm, Clifford is collecting lately. Another rookie gem for the Kings, Clifford won’t wow you in any single category, but he delivers across the board. If you are in a category-driven league, Clifford is a strong play in today’s matchup with Brooklyn.

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McCormick’s favorite bets for Sunday

Ayo Dosunmu OVER 25.5 total points, rebounds and assists (-117)

Building on his endorsement as a top fantasy play, Dosunmu’s emergence as a key creator for the Timberwolves reinforces my confidence in this pick. Brought to Minnesota as a complementary creator, he’s now a focal point with Edwards out. The sheer volume of offensive opportunities in recent games boosts interest in tonight’s performance.

Maxime Raynaud to record double-double (-112)

Raynaud has a chance to see the most rebounding chances on the Kings today. Given the opponent and his expanded role, the rookie pivot could really excel on the glass. The Nets rank 26th in rebounding percentage and are missing several of their top rebounders, which should give him plenty of opportunities to rack up both points and boards.

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Top Daily Fantasy values of the day

$8,100+ salaries

Jalen Brunson, PG, Knicks ($9,500)

This relentless offensive engine is set to dominate a porous Washington defense today. There are, of course, some risks in investing in a potential blowout, but as we saw with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander yesterday, the Wizards are quite friendly to opposing guards.

Scottie Barnes, PF, Raptors ($8,100)

The Raptors lean on Barnes for big minutes and busy roles on both sides of the floor. This bruising forward is in a good spot against a young and depleted Phoenix frontcourt. With the likelihood of high usage and plenty of playing time, Barnes has the blend of ceiling and floor we covet for these shallower slates.

$6,100-$8,000 salaries

Jaden McDaniels, SF, Timberwolves ($6,400)

Another key beneficiary of Edwards’ absence, McDaniels has elevated to a new level offensively in recent games. Already enjoying a major leap on this side of the ball, increased touches and a green light to find his shot have combined to create a special fantasy player for the final weeks.

$3,000-$6,000 salaries

Jordan Goodwin, PG, Suns ($4,500)

The Suns have churned out gritty role players with rare consistency this season. Goodwin won’t post big scoring lines or take over the game, but he will compile across several categories en route to topping 20 fantasy points. Given recent trends, Goodwin should play a meaningful role today.

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Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

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Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets
5 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Line: Blazers +8.5 (-110) | Nuggets -8.5 (-110)
Money line: Blazers +295 | Nuggets -375
Total: 240.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 7.5, straight up 72%, 238.2 total points.

Injury Report:

Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Foot); Vit Krejci, (GTD – Calf); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)

Nuggets: Peyton Watson, (GTD – Hamstring)

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Brooklyn Nets at Sacramento Kings
6 p.m. ET

Line: Nets +6.5 (-110) | Kings -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Nets +200 | Kings -245
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Kings by 4.3, straight up 63%, 223.9 total points.

Injury Report:

Nets: Terance Mann, (GTD – Illness); Noah Clowney, (OUT – Wrist); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot)

Kings: Daeqwon Plowden, (GTD – Foot); Isaiah Stevens, (OUT – Ankle); Russell Westbrook, (OUT – Foot); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle); De’Andre Hunter, (OFS – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS – Knee); Drew Eubanks, (OFS – Thumb); Zach LaVine, (OFS – Finger)

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Washington Wizards at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards +20.5 (-115) | Knicks -20.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizards +1300 | Knicks -2800
Total: 227.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 21.6, straight up 94%, 228.8 total points.

Injury Report:

Wizards: Trae Young, (GTD – Quadriceps); Tre Johnson, (GTD – Foot); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder); Bub Carrington, (GTD – Hip); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related)

Knicks: Josh Hart, (GTD – Knee); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Knee); Miles McBride, (OUT – Pelvis)

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Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics
8 p.m. ET on NBC

Line: Timberwolves +9.5 (-102) | Celtics -9.5 (-118)
Money line: Timberwolves +300 | Celtics -380
Total: 221.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 3.1, straight up 60%, 222.2 total points.

Injury Report:

Timberwolves: Naz Reid, (GTD – Ankle); Anthony Edwards, (OUT – Knee)

Celtics: Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Quadriceps); Nikola Vucevic, (OUT – Finger)

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Toronto Raptors at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET

Line: Raptors -2.5 (-112) | Suns +2.5 (-108)
Money line: Raptors -148 | Suns +124
Total: 219.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 0.9, straight up 53%, 222.1 total points.

Injury Report:

Raptors: A.J. Lawson, (GTD – Illness); Collin Murray-Boyles, (GTD – Thumb); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)

Suns: Amir Coffey, (GTD – Ankle); Grayson Allen, (GTD – Knee); Haywood Highsmith, (GTD – Knee); Royce O’Neale, (GTD – Knee); Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot)