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.
What you need to know for Wednesday's games
Today's six-pack of games embodies the lineup chaos that tends to surface in these late-season sprints of the NBA marathon. Lottery teams are resting key players in hopes of a brighter future, while playoff-bound teams are resting key players in hopes of a long title chase.
The outlier might just be in Indiana this evening, as the Pacers host the Los Angeles Lakers in a cross-conference meeting that airs at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The presence of three elite offensive engines -- Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Tyrese Haliburton -- makes this a compelling contest. The combination of a healthy point total and a close spread also sets up expectations for a good game.
The Boston Celtics make their annual stop in Arizona to face the Phoenix Suns in a 10 p.m. ET nightcap on ESPN. The only holdup in projecting an epic matchup is that Jayson Tatum is listed as doubtful to play. Even though this game is tougher to read, there are still paths to value found in our matchup metrics below.
Looking to the lottery chase, the Philadelphia 76ers are somehow favorites despite sending out a patchwork roster for this matchup with the Washington Wizards. It just seems that Washington wants it more. Jokes aside, both lineups should be rich with actionable fantasy options.
Wednesday's slate offers intriguing betting angles and fantasy plays, with favorable matchups ripe for analysis. Let's break down the action.
Wednesday's fantasy stream team
Justin Edwards, SF, 76ers (rostered in 17.8% of ESPN leagues): Even as the team seems intent on having the best odds possible to retain its protected first-round pick, the 76ers are still running out some gifted offensive talents. Edwards qualifies, as he's a former top-five national recruit who is now finding his footing in the pros. Awesome shooting volume and freedom to find his shot has been key to Edwards becoming a helpful 3-and-D producer down the stretch. Washington, meanwhile, has very little in the way of wing defense.
Alex Sarr, C/PF, Wizards (41.5% rostered): Sarr could feast on the glass and in protecting the rim with the 76ers rotating a series of either backup centers or purely going small. The fun part about this Wizards team is how they've turned things over to their prospects without veterans taking their touches or minutes. Sarr should be busy tonight.
DeAndre Jordan, C, Denver Nuggets (2.5%): It's pretty remarkable that Jordan is a helpful late-season fantasy option in 2025. Even in the twilight of his career, Jordan can live above and around the rim on both sides of the ball. He has also gained some passing prowess as Nikola Jokic's understudy. The Bucks have size, which actually helps Jordan's case to be on the floor more.
Gary Trent Jr., SG, Milwaukee Bucks (2.5%): With Damian Lillard and his high-usage shot diet absent from the lineup tonight, Trent will get every chance to take and make difficult off-the-catch and dribble 3-pointers. A strong career steal rate surfaces when the big minutes show up, which should be the case in Denver this evening.
McCormick's bets for Wednesday
Myles Turner over 14.5 points (-120)
Turner should have multiple chances to find his scoring touch in this game with Haliburton back to creating at an elite level combined with this choice matchup and a Lakers frontcourt that lacks depth and size. The added value of Turner's 3-point volume and efficiency adds to the viability of this play.
Kevin Durant over 25.5 points (-105)
There are fade angles to consider; the Celtics have size, speed and length to defend long wings in ways most rosters can't even approach. The potential absence of Tatum helps counter this premise, while the sheer volume of shots Durant will likely need to hoist on such a top-heavy offense helps offset some of these natural concerns. The risk seems baked into this modest scoring number.
Kyle Kuzma over 1.5 made 3-pointers (-125)
One of those veterans that the Wizards shipped out is Kuzma, a player who is never afraid to find his shot. This is especially true when Lillard is off the floor, as Kuzma's usage, shooting volume and scoring rates all rise in such scenarios.
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
Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards 3.5 (-115) | 76ers -3.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizards +130 | 76ers -150
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Wizards by 2.2, straight up 57%, 227.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Marvin Bagley III, (GTD - Concussion); Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD - Ankle); Kyshawn George, (OUT - Ankle); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Hamstring); Corey Kispert, (OUT - Thumb)
76ers: Caleb Martin, (GTD - Hip); Andre Drummond, (OUT - Toe); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT - Knee); Kyle Lowry, (OUT - Hip); Tyrese Maxey, (OUT - Back); Eric Gordon, (OUT - Wrist); Jared McCain, (OUT - Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee); Paul George, (OUT - Groin)
Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors 2.5 (-115) | Nets -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors +115 | Nets -135
Total: 214.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 1.9, straight up 56%, 217.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Chris Boucher, (OUT - Illness); Gradey Dick, (OUT - Knee); Ulrich Chomche, (OUT - Knee)
Nets: Day'Ron Sharpe, (OUT - Knee); Cam Thomas, (OUT - Hamstring)
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Lakers -1.5 (-110) | Pacers 1.5 (-110)
Money line: Lakers -125 | Pacers +105
Total: 236.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 3.3, straight up 61%, 233.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD - Groin); Rui Hachimura, (GTD - Knee)
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Achilles)
LA Clippers at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers -3.5 (-115) | Knicks 3.5 (-105)
Money line: Clippers -165 | Knicks +140
Total: 217.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 0.5, straight up 52%, 224.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD - Foot); Jordan Miller, (OUT - Hamstring)
Knicks: Jericho Sims, (OUT - Thumb); Miles McBride, (GTD - Groin); Mitchell Robinson, (GTD - Ankle); Jalen Brunson, (OUT - Ankle); Ariel Hukporti, (OUT - Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks 8.5 (-120) | Nuggets -8.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Bucks +270 | Nuggets -340
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 5.9, straight up 69%, 239.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT - Foot); Bobby Portis, (OUT - Suspension); Damian Lillard, (OUT - Calf)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD - Calf); Christian Braun, (GTD - Foot); Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Ankle); Julian Strawther, (OUT - Knee); DaRon Holmes II, (OUT - Achilles)
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Celtics -4.5 (-105) | Suns 4.5 (-115)
Money line: Celtics -200 | Suns +170
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 3.1, straight up 60%, 230.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (GTD - Ankle); Xavier Tillman, (OUT - Knee)
Suns: Bradley Beal, (OUT - Hamstring)