The second Emirates NBA Cup will be decided this Tuesday in a Las Vegas showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets. While this unique format injects some interest into the league as the calendar year winds down, fantasy managers might not miss the unpredictable and light schedules this outlier week produces.
This said, Sunday is a more traditional seven-game slate rife with good matchups. While not a marquee game, per se, the slate opens with the Indiana Pacers hosting the New Orleans Pelicans in a matchup of two pace-driven teams that are poor at defense. That's an equation for offense, my friends.
Games gain meaning into the evening with the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Golden State Warriors in a game with healthy offensive indicators, while the night's highest total is the final tip of the day; the Los Angeles Lakers host the Memphis Grizzlies in a game that earns more discussion in both our stream team and betting endorsements.
Let's take a closer look at the players and matchups for Sunday's action and find some angles of interest.
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 and player projections.
Sunday's Fantasy Stream Team
Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics (Rostered in 61.0% of ESPN leagues)
Each season there are several statistical surprises. Pritchard's arrival as one of the league's best volume shooters is one of this year's unexpected outcomes. With the potential to play extended run in a game against a weak opponent, Pritchard is positioned to deliver shooting and passing results at rewarding levels.
Trey Murphy III, SF/SF, New Orleans Pelicans (47.5%)
It seems like a Pelicans wing ends up in this space each week. The reasoning, though, is sound. The team continues to miss Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to respective injuries, empowering Murphy and Herbert Jones to shine on both sides of the floor. Murphy is particularly hot from the floor and rarely leaves when he's feeling it. The Pacers aren't built to slow down big wings, setting up Murphy to deliver.
Goga Bitadze, C, Orlando Magic (21.0%)
One of the most underrated rim protectors in the league, Bitadze can bully teams on the glass, as well. The Knicks aren't the same frontcourt mashers as last year, with Bitadze's size and style matching up well against New York's new-look small-ball lineups built more around offensive identity and defensive switching.
Justin Champagnie, SF, Washington Wizards (7.9%)
The Celtics aren't exactly an inviting matchup for a wing. Then again, with Boston as massive favorites, the blowout potential does read like Champagnie could see some extended run. The team has trusted him to help at the wing lately, and with Kyle Kuzma sidelined, the workload will be there. There is also very real momentum for Bilal Coulibaly (26.5%), as he's coming off arguably his best professional performance.
Best bets for Sunday
Odds by ESPN BET
Grizzlies-Lakers over 234.5 points (-115)
The Lakers remain a public team even amid a spiral. The Grizzlies are a superior team playing better basketball over a sizable recent sample. Memphis is second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder in net rating over the past 10 games, while leading the NBA with 121 points per 100 possessions over this stretch. With the Lakers sitting in the bottom-third in defensive rating over the past 10 games, the box score will be busy.
Myles Turner over 14.5 points (+110)
The Pelicans are allowing opponents to convert 66% of their shots at the rim this season, one of the most generous rates in the NBA. While Turner isn't a bully in the post, he won't have to be against a Pelicans frontcourt that without Zion Williamson or any proven traditional center, end up with undersized or inexperienced in the frontcourt. This reads like a spot for Turner to feast.
Kristaps Porzingis over 19.5 points (+120)
It's hard to say Porzingis has revenge on his mind when facing the team that helped him restore his game and get him to a title contender, but let's approach it as an historically gifted stretch center faces rookie Alexandre Sarr and the Washington Wizards' patchworked frontcourt.
Klay Thompson over 2.5 3-pointers (-135)
Now this is a real narrative game, Thompson's back in the Bay, but for another team. The Mavericks don't even have to try to adjust their shot distribution to accommodate Thompson hitting this number, as he's going to shoot from deep often against any opponent. In this context, we have a depleted Golden State perimeter group and a roster awaiting a trade to be completed, setting up Thompson to get some good looks.
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
New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers
5 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +7.5 (-115) | Pacers -7.5 (-115)
Money line: Pelicans +230 | Pacers -280
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Pacers by 6.8, straight up 71%, 231.3 total points.
Injury report:
Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Ankle); Javonte Green, (GTD - Ankle); Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, (OUT - Illness); Jordan Hawkins, (OUT - Back); Jose Alvarado, (OUT - Hamstring); Karlo Matkovic, (OUT - Back); Zion Williamson, (OUT - Hamstring)
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT - Achilles); Ben Sheppard, (OUT - Oblique); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Ankle)
Pelicans projections:
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 38.7 FPTS (19.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 6.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 36.6 FPTS (21.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.2 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 28.3 FPTS (15.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 22.7 FPTS (10.8 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.6 ast)
Brandon Boston Jr., SG/SF: 20.2 FPTS (9.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.5 ast)
Yves Missi, C: 18.9 FPTS (9.0 pts, 8.8 reb, 0.9 ast)
Javonte Green, SF: 16.2 FPTS (8.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Pacers projections:
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 41.0 FPTS (20.1 pts, 3.0 reb, 7.5 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Pascal Siakam, PF: 36.7 FPTS (21.2 pts, 6.8 reb, 3.7 ast)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 27.4 FPTS (17.3 pts, 5.9 reb, 2.3 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 24.9 FPTS (14.4 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.0 blk)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 23.5 FPTS (10.6 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.7 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 22.9 FPTS (11.0 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.7 ast)
Obi Toppin, PF: 20.2 FPTS (10.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.1 ast)
Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
6 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics -17.5 (-105) | Wizards +17.5 (-115)
Money line: Celtics -2500 | Wizards +1100
Total: 232.5 (EVEN O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Celtics by 14, straight up 87%, 232.1 total points.
Injury report:
Celtics: Al Horford, (OUT - Rest)
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD - Knee); Corey Kispert, (OUT - Ankle); Kyle Kuzma, (OUT - Ribs); Kyshawn George, (OUT - Ankle); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Hamstring)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 49.5 FPTS (27.3 pts, 8.4 reb, 6.0 ast, 3.6 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 43.2 FPTS (25.4 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 34.5 FPTS (16.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 5.1 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 27.6 FPTS (16.1 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.0 3PM, 1.3 blk)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 27.1 FPTS (12.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Al Horford, PF/C: 18.3 FPTS (7.8 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 17.5 FPTS (7.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Wizards projections:
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 34.9 FPTS (20.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF: 25.1 FPTS (12.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.1 ast)
Justin Champagnie, SF: 23.9 FPTS (11.1 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.7 ast)
Carlton Carrington, PG/SG: 22.8 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.7 ast)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 22.4 FPTS (10.7 pts, 8.2 reb, 2.5 ast)
Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 22.0 FPTS (10.9 pts, 6.8 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.7 blk)
Jared Butler, SG: 18.6 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.6 ast)
New York Knicks at Orlando Magic
6 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -4.5 (-110) | Magic +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Knicks -185 | Magic +155
Total: 213.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Knicks by 0.4, straight up 51%, 215.4 total points.
Injury report:
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle); Ariel Hukporti, (GTD - Ankle); Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT - Knee)
Magic: Franz Wagner, (OUT - Oblique); Gary Harris, (GTD - Hamstring); Jonathan Isaac, (GTD - Hamstring); Paolo Banchero, (OUT - Oblique)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG: 41.0 FPTS (24.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 40.3 FPTS (21.7 pts, 11.6 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 35.0 FPTS (14.2 pts, 7.4 reb, 5.6 ast)
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 31.8 FPTS (18.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.4 3PM)
OG Anunoby, SF/PF: 30.1 FPTS (16.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.2 3PM, 1.4 blk)
Miles McBride, PG: 18.8 FPTS (8.9 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.7 ast)
Cameron Payne, PG/SG: 13.7 FPTS (6.3 pts, 1.2 reb, 2.4 ast)
Magic projections:
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 31.8 FPTS (17.6 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 22.7 FPTS (9.5 pts, 7.5 reb, 2.3 ast)
Goga Bitadze, C: 22.5 FPTS (8.3 pts, 9.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.8 blk)
Moritz Wagner, C: 21.1 FPTS (11.8 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.7 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 19.7 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.6 ast)
Mac McClung, SG: 17.2 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.7 ast)
Anthony Black, PG/SG: 16.5 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.8 ast)
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs
7 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves -4.5 (-105) | Spurs +4.5 (-115)
Money line: Timberwolves -175 | Spurs +145
Total: 214.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Timberwolves by 1, straight up 53%, 219.6 total points.
Injury report:
Timberwolves: Joe Ingles, (OUT - Calf)
Spurs: Stephon Castle, (GTD - Shoulder); Tre Jones, (GTD - Shoulder); Zach Collins, (GTD - Back); Keldon Johnson, (OUT - Calf)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 42.4 FPTS (25.1 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.4 ast, 3.4 3PM)
Julius Randle, PF: 32.7 FPTS (19.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 3.9 ast)
Rudy Gobert, C: 27.4 FPTS (12.2 pts, 10.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.3 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 22.2 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.6 ast)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 21.8 FPTS (11.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.7 ast)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 21.6 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 19.7 FPTS (10.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, C: 43.1 FPTS (25.4 pts, 10.1 reb, 4.1 ast, 3.0 3PM, 2.7 blk)
Chris Paul, PG: 24.4 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.4 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PF: 23.0 FPTS (11.5 pts, 7.1 reb, 2.5 ast)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 21.9 FPTS (13.5 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Julian Champagnie, SF: 21.7 FPTS (11.6 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Stephon Castle, PG/SG: 18.6 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.0 reb, 3.0 ast)
Harrison Barnes, PF: 17.0 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.7 ast)
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers +11.5 (-110) | Suns -11.5 (-110)
Money line: Blazers +450 | Suns -700
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Suns by 9.5, straight up 78%, 229.1 total points.
Injury report:
Blazers: Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Ankle); Robert Williams III, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Deandre Ayton, (OUT - Illness)
Suns: Bradley Beal, (GTD - Knee); Collin Gillespie, (OUT - Ankle)
Blazers projections:
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 34.1 FPTS (19.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jerami Grant, PF: 30.6 FPTS (19.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF: 25.9 FPTS (16.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Toumani Camara, SF/PF: 23.4 FPTS (10.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.5 ast)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 20.9 FPTS (11.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.5 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 20.8 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 4.1 ast)
Dalano Banton, PG/SG/PF: 18.4 FPTS (10.6 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.4 ast)
Suns projections:
Devin Booker, PG/SG: 46.8 FPTS (28.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Kevin Durant, PF: 38.1 FPTS (25.4 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Tyus Jones, PG: 31.4 FPTS (13.9 pts, 2.1 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 28.5 FPTS (17.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 22.4 FPTS (11.1 pts, 8.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
Royce O'Neale, SF: 21.8 FPTS (9.6 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 16.4 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Mavericks -2.5 (-115) | Warriors +2.5 (-105)
Money line: Mavericks -145 | Warriors +125
Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI projection: Mavericks by 1.9, straight up 56%, 229.6 total points.
Injury report:
Mavericks: Maxi Kleber, (OUT - Ribs); Dante Exum, (OUT - Wrist); Brandon Williams, (OUT - Thumb); Jaden Hardy, (OUT - Ankle); Naji Marshall, (OUT - Illness)
Warriors: Andrew Wiggins, (GTD - Ankle); Stephen Curry, (GTD - Neck); Moses Moody, (OUT - Knee)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 52.6 FPTS (28.5 pts, 7.6 reb, 7.6 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 40.5 FPTS (22.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)
P.J. Washington, PF: 26.7 FPTS (12.5 pts, 6.9 reb, 2.9 ast)
Dereck Lively II, C: 20.5 FPTS (9.2 pts, 8.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.6 blk)
Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG: 18.1 FPTS (9.0 pts, 1.9 reb, 3.0 ast)
Daniel Gafford, C: 17.6 FPTS (9.7 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.3 ast)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 15.9 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 39.4 FPTS (21.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 6.1 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 26.8 FPTS (17.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 26.5 FPTS (10.3 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.2 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 25.8 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 20.5 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG: 19.8 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.7 ast)
Kevon Looney, C: 14.1 FPTS (5.7 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.7 ast)
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies -4.5 (-105) | Lakers +4.5 (-115)
Money line: Grizzlies -175 | Lakers +150
Total: 234.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Grizzlies by 7.4, straight up 73%, 234.5 total points.
Injury report:
Grizzlies: Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Ankle); GG Jackson II, (OUT - Foot); Jay Huff, (GTD - Knee); Marcus Smart, (GTD - Knee); Zach Edey, (GTD - Ankle)
Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Anthony Davis, (GTD - Foot); LeBron James, (GTD - Foot); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Hamstring); Jaxson Hayes, (OUT - Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee)
Grizzlies projections:
Ja Morant, PG: 35.3 FPTS (20.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.6 ast)
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 30.9 FPTS (19.7 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.0 blk)
Desmond Bane, SG/SF: 30.2 FPTS (15.4 pts, 6.1 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Santi Aldama, SF/PF/C: 23.7 FPTS (10.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.8 ast)
Marcus Smart, PG/SG: 21.8 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.6 ast)
Brandon Clarke, PF: 19.7 FPTS (10.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.3 ast)
Jake LaRavia, PF: 17.5 FPTS (7.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.0 ast)
Lakers projections:
Anthony Davis, PF/C: 42.4 FPTS (24.9 pts, 10.9 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.3 blk)
LeBron James, SF/PF: 40.9 FPTS (23.4 pts, 7.3 reb, 7.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 29.4 FPTS (15.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 25.9 FPTS (14.1 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.9 ast)
D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 22.5 FPTS (11.6 pts, 2.3 reb, 3.8 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 16.9 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Max Christie, SG: 15.4 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.6 ast)