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 | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Sunday's games
The first Sunday slate of the NBA season is here, offering nine games spread throughout the entire day.
The schedule opens with a matinee matchup in San Antonio between the fast-starting Spurs and the wayward Brooklyn Nets. Even as sizable favorites, the absence of De'Aaron Fox for the Spurs means there's more value to be found in San Antonio's young backcourt.
As one of just three of today's games with a spread of at least eight points, that matchup in Texas is one of the only games of the day with blowout ingredients. Many of Sunday's matchups appear likely to be competitive. For those playing fantasy and pursuing player props, competitive games offer the most revealing rotation patterns.
What can we learn during today's action? Will the Toronto Raptors and their newfound paint-heavy offensive approach succeed against the Dallas Mavericks and what is supposed to be one of the dominant rim-protection groups in the league?
Will the Los Angeles Lakers and their heliocentric offense successfully travel upstate to face a Sacramento Kings team that, conversely, has no clear top creators? The Milwaukee Bucks will be without Kevin Porter Jr. today against the Cleveland Cavaliers, putting pressure on Milwaukee's thin backcourt in the playmaking department. The Cavs, meanwhile, are still without Darius Garland's pick-and-roll wizardry.
Every game gives us actionable information, which is why we'll continue to learn more about these teams' specific roles and rotations as the games unfold.
With an eye on extracting value from today's games, let's focus on key players and betting angles to consider.
Sunday's fantasy stream team
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF/SG, Miami Heat (rostered in 18.0% of ESPN leagues): A sophomore slump saw Jaquez go undrafted in all but the deepest of formats this fall. Awesome work on the defensive glass and a steady diet of downhill touches on offense have led to strong production reminiscent of his stellar rookie season. A big matchup with the New York Knicks could reveal how sustainable Jaquez's role proves. Recent momentum suggests he's poised to produce.
P.J. Washington, PF, Mavericks (34.1% rostered): The rare 3-and-D power forward who actually lives up to the "power" part of the position, Washington can bully on the inside and step out to space the floor. With Dallas hosting a Raptors team that has peppered the paint to open the season, Washington could play big minutes and prove active around the rim. Washington is one of the better sleepers for double-double production today.
Jerami Grant, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (36.9%): Similarly, Grant slumped last season and lost luster as a fantasy option entering the new campaign. With two strong games so far, including a stellar opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Grant can reshape his reputation with continued success. The LA Clippers have size but not much juice defensively at forward, an element that could benefit Grant this evening.
Cole Anthony, PG, Bucks (13.7%): The absence of "KPJ" for the Bucks likely means bit minutes and touches for Anthony. The Bucks' backcourt depth chart isn't deep, which likely means Anthony's veteran savvy and combo guard skill set will prove vital to Doc Rivers in this division matchup with the Cavs.
McCormick's bets for Sunday
Scottie Barnes to go OVER 6.5 rebounds (-120)
Yes, this game is full of size, but with 10 rebounding chances per game thus far and an imperative to get two feet in the paint as often as possible on offense, Barnes is in a good spot to pull down some boards today. Dallas isn't living up to reputation just yet, sitting 26th in rebounding percentage, an angle that would benefit Barnes if it continues.
Jrue Holiday to go OVER 5.5 assists (-125)
The injury to Scoot Henderson has vaulted Holiday back to a primary creator role, one he hasn't consistently served since his time with the Bucks. With a team-high 13 potential assists per game and second only to Deni Avdija in passing volume on the team, Holiday could excel running the pick-and-roll against an older Clippers backcourt.
Lakers to cover -2.5 (-115) at Kings
My take is that offense travels well, and the Lakers are fourth in the NBA with an offensive rating just shy of 122 points per 100 possessions. Nothing feels unsustainable when it comes to Luka Doncic. It's going to prove challenging for the Kings and their lack of defensive playmaking to interrupt what Doncic and the Lakers have going.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Brooklyn Nets at San Antonio Spurs
2 p.m. ET
Line: Nets 11.5 (-120) | Spurs -11.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Nets +450 | Spurs -700
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Nets: De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Knee); Trendon Watford, (GTD - Hamstring)
Spurs: De'Aaron Fox, (OUT - Hamstring); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT - Wrist)
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics 3.5 (-110) | Pistons -3.5 (-110)
Money line: Celtics +130 | Pistons -150
Total: 225.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Illness); Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles); Derrick White, (GTD - Wrist); Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Hamstring); Al Horford, (GTD - Toe); Luke Kornet, (OUT - Ankle)
Pistons: Marcus Sasser, (GTD - Hip); Jaden Ivey, (OUT - Knee); Lindy Waters III, (OUT - Eye)
Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers
6 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks 6.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Bucks +215 | Cavaliers -260
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Toe); Kyle Kuzma, (GTD - Ankle); Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT - Ankle); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)
Cavaliers: De'Andre Hunter, (GTD - Knee); Darius Garland, (OUT - Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Calf)
New York Knicks at Miami Heat
6 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -2.5 (-120) | Heat 2.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Knicks -145 | Heat +125
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Knicks: Josh Hart, (GTD - Back); Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD - Quadriceps); Miles McBride, (GTD - Personal); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle)
Heat: Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Ankle); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards
6 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets 2.5 (-115) | Wizards -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Hornets +110 | Wizards -130
Total: 238.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Hornets: Brandon Miller, (GTD - Shoulder); Grant Williams, (GTD - Knee); Josh Green, (GTD - Shoulder); Mark Williams, (GTD - Knee)
Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Hand)
Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers 12.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -12.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers +475 | Timberwolves -750
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD - Shoulder); Bennedict Mathurin, (GTD - Foot); Johnny Furphy, (GTD - Foot); Quenton Jackson, (OUT - Hamstring); T.J. McConnell, (OUT - Hamstring)
Timberwolves: Luka Garza, (GTD - Concussion); Rob Dillingham, (GTD - Nose)
Toronto Raptors at Dallas Mavericks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors 1.5 (-125) | Mavericks -1.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Raptors -105 | Mavericks -115
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Raptors: None reported
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Daniel Gafford, (GTD - Ankle); Brandon Williams, (OUT - Personal); Dante Exum, (OUT - Knee)
Portland Trail Blazers at LA Clippers
9 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers 8.5 (-115) | Clippers -8.5 (-105)
Money line: Blazers +270 | Clippers -340
Total: 225.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Blazers: Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Hamstring)
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (OUT - Hamstring)
Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers -2.5 (-115) | Kings 2.5 (-105)
Money line: Lakers -145 | Kings +125
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Lakers: Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD - Ankle); Jaxson Hayes, (GTD - Knee); Luka Doncic, (GTD - Finger); Maxi Kleber, (OUT - Oblique); LeBron James, (OUT - Back)
Kings: Zach LaVine, (GTD - Illness); Keegan Murray, (OUT - Thumb)