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Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Sunday's NBA slate

Scotty Pippen Jr. will assume main distribution duties for the Memphis Grizzlies with Ja Morant sidelined indefinitely. Photo by Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images

A robust 11-game Sunday slate offers a big batch of names and numbers to sift through. In order to identify prop and side plays, we also seek to build the most effective fantasy basketball lineups, all of which requires surveying significant injuries, trends and betting metrics.

This long day of hoops opens in the afternoon in New York with the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Houston Rockets and concludes in L.A. with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Toronto Raptors. This means you'll want to get your lineups set early enough to navigate this

Leveraging betting data, we find seven of the 11 games are set with totals of at least 227.5 points, evidence there are several contests with real offensive upside. In regard to injuries, several of our streaming plays and player prop endorsements stem specifically from impact absences or rotational shifts.

With nearly endless basketball games in action, let us help you prepare.

Odds by ESPN BET

Fantasy streamers for Sunday

Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (rostered in 44.6% of ESPN leagues)

Proving last season's breakout wasn't an aberration, Pippen has become the best distributor on the Grizzlies. The team needs his creation badly in this spot against the Trail Blazers, as Ja Morant, Demond Bane and Vince Wiliams Jr. are all out. With that much scoring and usage out of the rotation, a busy box score is due for Pippen in this soft matchup.

Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers (29.6%)

Mathurin knows how to do the math on offense. The fact that Aaron Nesmith is ruled out helps his case even in this tougher matchup against the New York Knicks' stocked perimeter defense. It's understandable to pivot to Toronto's Ocahi Agbaji (35.1%) if the defensive matchups for Mathurin appear uninviting.

Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards (18.%)

Carrington has been amazing in playmaking and rebounding for a rookie guard. He is battling a wrist injury but would be a valuable plug-and-play addition in deeper leagues and a solid DFS acquisition given the size of the slate. Orlando, meanwhile, lacks defensive guard depth past Jalen Suggs. His rookie peer makes an appearance in the best bets section below.

Goga Bitadze, Orlando Magic (7.8%)

With Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined, we find Bitadze flush with minutes, post touches, and rim-protection opportunities. The ceiling isn't very high, but there is a stable floor for blocks and boards in this setup against a soft Washington frontcourt.

Best bets for Sunday

Sacramento Kings (-1.5) over Phoenix Suns

The Suns are without Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic is questionable. Phoenix's lack of size will show up against Domantas Sabonis and a Kings offense that now has more paths to production in the post and mid-range.

Devin Booker over 6.5 assists (-125)

Booker's usage and passing metrics swell whenever Durant is inactive. It also helps that the game has strong offensive indicators such as pace and point total.

Alexandre Sarr over 1.5 blocks (-130)

While this prop is already a bit expensive, the price matches a positive trend for Sarr whenever he's on the floor for a good stretch. With Orlando missing two key interior starters, Sarr is in a sweet spot to be a blocking machine Sunday night.

Scotty Pippen Jr. over 8.5 assists (+105)

While there is a lack of scoring pop around him in the Grizzlies' rotation, Pippen's potential to orchestrate nearly every action on offense while on the floor could lead to an atypically high conversion rate on potential assists.

Projections and Injury Reports

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

Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues


Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons
3 p.m. ET

Line: Rockets -3.5 (-115) | Pistons 3.5 (-105)
Money line: Rockets -170 | Pistons +140
Total: 218.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.9, straight up 66%, 224.3 total points.

Injury Report:
Rockets: Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee)
Pistons: Jalen Duren, (GTD - Ankle); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Bobi Klintman, (OUT - Calf)

Rockets projections:

Pistons projections:


Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks
3:30 p.m. ET

Line: Celtics -4.5 (-115) | Bucks 4.5 (-105)
Money line: Celtics -185 | Bucks +155
Total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 7.7, straight up 74%, 230.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaden Springer, (GTD - Knee); Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Hip); Luke Kornet, (GTD - Hamstring); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT - Foot)
Bucks: Andre Jackson Jr., (GTD - Hip); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD - Back); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Knee); Ryan Rollins, (GTD - Shoulder); Khris Middleton, (OUT - Ankle)

Celtics projections:

  • Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 48.6 FPTS (28.0 pts, 7.1 reb, 5.2 ast, 3.9 3PM)

  • Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 40.6 FPTS (24.2 pts, 6.0 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Derrick White, PG/SG: 34.0 FPTS (16.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.3 ast, 3.3 3PM)

  • Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 25.2 FPTS (12.4 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.9 ast)

  • Payton Pritchard, PG: 19.1 FPTS (9.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Al Horford, PF/C: 18.4 FPTS (6.3 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.1 ast)

  • Neemias Queta, C: 16.5 FPTS (7.9 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.1 ast)

Bucks projections:


New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers
5 p.m. ET

Line: Knicks -3.5 (EVEN) | Pacers 3.5 (-120)
Money line: Knicks -155 | Pacers +130
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 1.5, straight up 55%, 229.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Knicks: Cameron Payne, (GTD - Hamstring); Miles McBride, (GTD - Illness); Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT - Knee); Precious Achiuwa, (OUT - Hamstring); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle)
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT - Achilles); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD - Knee); Obi Toppin, (GTD - Ankle); T.J. McConnell, (GTD - Illness); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Ankle)

Knicks projections:

  • Jalen Brunson, PG: 41.4 FPTS (26.9 pts, 2.2 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.2 3PM)

  • Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 39.9 FPTS (22.0 pts, 11.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 32.9 FPTS (18.6 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Josh Hart, SG/SF: 31.9 FPTS (12.7 pts, 8.9 reb, 5.2 ast)

  • OG Anunoby, SF/PF: 29.5 FPTS (14.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Miles McBride, PG: 18.9 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.3 ast)

  • Tyler Kolek, PG: 16.7 FPTS (8.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.4 ast)

Pacers projections:


Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic
6 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards 10.5 (-110) | Magic -10.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +380 | Magic -550
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 6, straight up 69%, 223.6 total points.

Injury Report:
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee); Carlton Carrington, (GTD - Wrist); Kyle Kuzma, (OUT - Groin); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Thumb)
Magic: Jonathan Isaac, (GTD - Hamstring); Wendell Carter Jr., (OUT - Foot); Paolo Banchero, (OUT - Oblique)

Wizards projections:

Magic projections:


Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET

Line: Hornets 4.5 (-105) | 76ers -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Hornets +155 | 76ers -190
Total: 212.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 0.7, straight up 52%, 219.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD - Back); DaQuan Jeffries, (OUT - Hand); Mark Williams, (OUT - Foot); Nick Richards, (OUT - Ribs); Miles Bridges, (OUT - Knee)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT - Suspension); Tyrese Maxey, (OUT - Hamstring)

Hornets projections:

76ers projections:


Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET

Line: Heat 7.5 (EVEN) | Timberwolves -7.5 (-120)
Money line: Heat +240 | Timberwolves -290
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 7.1, straight up 72%, 219.0 total points.

Injury Report:
Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD - Illness); Jimmy Butler, (OUT - Ankle)
Timberwolves: None reported

Heat projections:

Timberwolves projections:


Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
7 p.m. ET

Line: Warriors 6.5 (-120) | Thunder -6.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Warriors +200 | Thunder -240
Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 2.7, straight up 59%, 230.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Warriors: None reported
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT - Knee); Kenrich Williams, (OUT - Knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT - Hand); Jaylin Williams, (OUT - Hamstring)

Warriors projections:

Thunder projections:


Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets
8 p.m. ET

Line: Mavericks 3.5 (-105) | Nuggets -3.5 (-115)
Money line: Mavericks +140 | Nuggets -165
Total: 229.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 3.2, straight up 61%, 229.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (OUT - Wrist); Dereck Lively II, (GTD - Shoulder); Luka Doncic, (GTD - Groin); Maxi Kleber, (GTD - Hamstring); P.J. Washington, (GTD - Knee)
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, (OUT - Achilles); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Ankle); Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Calf)

Mavericks projections:

Nuggets projections:


Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. ET

Line: Kings -1.5 (EVEN) | Suns 1.5 (-120)
Money line: Kings -115 | Suns -105
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 1.3, straight up 54%, 230.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT - Shoulder); Orlando Robinson, (OUT - Knee)
Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD - Ankle); Ryan Dunn, (GTD - Ankle); Collin Gillespie, (OUT - Ankle); Kevin Durant, (OUT - Calf)

Kings projections:

Suns projections:

  • Devin Booker, PG/SG: 45.5 FPTS (28.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 6.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)

  • Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 34.4 FPTS (20.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Tyus Jones, PG: 27.2 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.8 reb, 6.0 ast)

  • Jusuf Nurkic, C: 25.3 FPTS (13.2 pts, 10.1 reb, 1.8 ast)

  • Royce O'Neale, SF: 20.8 FPTS (7.9 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.3 ast)

  • Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 16.3 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Ryan Dunn, SF: 14.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.1 ast)


Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
9 p.m. ET

Line: Grizzlies -1.5 (EVEN) | Blazers 1.5 (-120)
Money line: Grizzlies -110 | Blazers -110
Total: 227.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 1.3, straight up 54%, 225.1 total points.

Injury Report:
Grizzlies: GG Jackson II, (OUT - Foot); Colin Castleton, (GTD - Ankle); Marcus Smart, (GTD - Ankle); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Oblique); Ja Morant, (OUT - Hip); Cam Spencer, (OUT - Ankle); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Lower Leg)
Blazers: Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Knee)

Grizzlies projections:

Blazers projections:


Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 p.m. ET

Line: Raptors 10.5 (-105) | Lakers -10.5 (-115)
Money line: Raptors +425 | Lakers -650
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 9.8, straight up 79%, 237.3 total points.

Injury Report:
Raptors: Garrett Temple, (GTD - Back); Ja'Kobe Walter, (OUT - Shoulder); Kelly Olynyk, (OUT - Back); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Orbital); Bruce Brown, (OUT - Knee)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Foot); Jaxson Hayes, (GTD - Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot)

Raptors projections:

Lakers projections: