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 Wednesday's games
The NBA has 11 games on tap tonight, putting 22 of the 30 teams in action. That gives us plenty of storylines to look forward to.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks, architects of one of the most important trades in the league last season, face off in Madison Square Garden. That means Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo all have the opportunity for revenge games against their former squads. We also may see the return of Anthony Edwards, who has missed the past four games with a hamstring issue but has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday's game.
The Philadelphia 76ers play the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second half of a back-to-back. This means Joel Embiid will likely sit, which changes the entire way that the 76ers will play. More on that below. This game could also mark the season debut for Cavs point guard Darius Garland, who has been out since toe surgery but is questionable to play on Wednesday.
The best game in terms of team records will happen in Los Angeles, when the 6-2 Lakers host the 5-1 Spurs. The Lakers were without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in their last game, but Doncic is off the injury report and Reaves is questionable. The Spurs lost impressive rookie Dylan Harper to injury this weekend, so he'll join De'Aaron Fox on the sideline.
These and many other storylines are in play tonight. Let's dig further into the matchups to identify fantasy streaming options and betting angles of interest.
Wednesday's fantasy stream team
Jake LaRavia, PF, Los Angeles Lakers (rostered in 36.5% of ESPN leagues): While LaRavia has played four straight strong games -- averaging 19.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 3.8 3PG and 2.8 SPG in that span -- it's undeniable that LaRavia's worst scoring game in that span was Monday's 11-point effort with Doncic and Reaves sidelined. It suggests that LaRavia scores mainly off shots set up by his teammates, so his output on Wednesday might be improved with Doncic and maybe Reaves back on the court.
Isaiah Stewart, C/PF, Detroit Pistons (19.1%): Stewart got the start on Monday with Tobias Harris injured, and he responded with 26 points, 14 boards, 4 blocks and 4 assists in 34 minutes. Harris is expected to sit again on Wednesday, opening up the possibility Stewart has another big effort on Wednesday against the Jazz.
Cason Wallace, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder (22.5%): Wallace has been amazing on defense this season, averaging 2.7 SPG with three or more steals in four of his seven games. He's been scoring more of late, working on three straight double-digit scoring games. Plus, the Thunder are on the second half of a back-to-back but the 21-year old Wallace shouldn't have trouble being ready to go on full again on Wednesday against the Trail Blazers.
Quentin Grimes, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (48.5%): The 76ers are on the second half of a back-to-back, which means they could be without Embiid. They play entirely differently when their star big man is out. Grimes has been playing well in his sixth man role all season, but the last time Embiid sat Grimes had his best game of the season with 22 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds in 32 minutes. Grimes makes a good streamer either way, but if Embiid sits Grimes may be must-start.
Dre's bets for Wednesday
Tyrese Maxey Over 38.5 total points and assists (-110)
Maxey has been one of the most productive players in the NBA this season, averaging 34.4 PPG and 8.4 APG (42.8 total points-plus-assists). If Embiid does sit on the second half of a back-to-back, Maxey has the potential to go well over that line against a Cavaliers squad that would presumably require a big game from Maxey to keep his team in it. This is the second game of a back-to-back for Maxey, but in his only back-to-back this season Maxey followed a 43-point, 8-assist effort with 39 and 10, respectively.
Julius Randle Over 20.5 total points (-120)
While Randle excelled as the primary scorer while Edwards was out, he was putting up numbers just as big when Edwards was playing. In the last four without Edwards, Randle averaged 26.5 PPG with a high of 33 and a low of 19. In the three games before, with Edwards, Randle averaged 25.3 PPG with a high of 31 and a low of 19. Edwards is questionable to play on Wednesday, but even if he does, Randle has a good chance to put a strong number on the board against his former team. With the way he's scored this season, the 20.5 point line seems to be very manageable for him.
Jaylen Brown Over 25.5 total points (-115)
Brown has established a pattern early in the season: he has struggled on the second half of back-to-backs, but if he's had at least two days between games he has exploded. In the second half of his two back-to-backs, Brown has averaged 13.5 PPG in 23.0 MPG, both games blowout losses for the Celtics. But in his last four non-back-to-back games, Brown has averaged 34.8 PPG with at least 30 points in all four games. The biggest risk to Brown's over against the Wizards on Wednesday could be if the game becomes a blowout, but otherwise look for him to have another big game.
Stephon Castle Over 19.5 total points (-115)
Castle has been consistent as a scorer this season, scoring 21 or more points in four of his six games including the last three in a row. In that three-game span, Castle has averaged 23.0 PPG, including a season-high 26 in his last outing. Castle could be depended upon even more on Wednesday with rookie phenom Dylan Harper sidelined. He'll be facing a Lakers squad that cannot hope to match his speed and explosiveness, and that has allowed opposing shooting guards to average 25.1 PPG, tied for 24th in the NBA.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +10.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -10.5 (-110)
Money line: 76ers +340 | Cavaliers -450
Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 5.2, straight up 65%, 239.7 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Paul George, (GTD - Knee); Dominick Barlow, (OUT - Elbow)
Cavaliers: Max Strus, (OUT - Foot)
Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +9.5 (-110) | Pistons -9.5 (-110)
Money line: Jazz +320 | Pistons -425
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 12.3, straight up 82%, 232.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Georges Niang, (OUT - Foot); Walker Kessler, (OUT - Shoulder)
Pistons: Marcus Sasser, (OUT - Hip); Tobias Harris, (OUT - Ankle); Jaden Ivey, (OUT - Knee)
Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +6.5 (-105) | Pacers -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Nets +215 | Pacers -260
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 7.8, straight up 71%, 231.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Drake Powell, (OUT - Ankle); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT - Shoulder); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Toe); Johnny Furphy, (OUT - Ankle); Quenton Jackson, (OUT - Hamstring); Kam Jones, (OUT - Back); T.J. McConnell, (OUT - Hamstring)
Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +11.5 (-105) | Celtics -11.5 (-115)
Money line: Wizards +475 | Celtics -750
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 14.7, straight up 87%, 226.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Khris Middleton, (OUT - Elbow)
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles)
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves +4.5 (-105) | Knicks -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Timberwolves +135 | Knicks -155
Total: 227.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 4.1, straight up 62%, 226.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Hamstring)
Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD - Illness)
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -7.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +7.5 (-110)
Money line: Rockets -300 | Grizzlies +250
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 6, straight up 67%, 234.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee); Jabari Smith Jr., (GTD - Ankle); Steven Adams, (GTD - Hip); Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT - Ankle)
Grizzlies: Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Toe); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Calf)
New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +7.5 (-110) | Mavericks -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Pelicans +230 | Mavericks -280
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 6.6, straight up 69%, 229.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles); Yves Missi, (GTD - Illness); Zion Williamson, (OUT - Hamstring)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Anthony Davis, (OUT - Calf); Dante Exum, (OUT - Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OUT - Knee)
Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET
Line: Heat +9.5 (-105) | Nuggets -9.5 (-115)
Money line: Heat +300 | Nuggets -400
Total: 241.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 6, straight up 67%, 242.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Kasparas Jakucionis, (GTD - Groin); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Ankle); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, (GTD - Calf)
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs +2.5 (-110) | Lakers -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs +115 | Lakers -135
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 1.6, straight up 55%, 228.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, (GTD - Wrist); Kelly Olynyk, (GTD - Heel); Lindy Waters III, (GTD - Eye); De'Aaron Fox, (OUT - Hamstring); Luke Kornet, (OUT - Ankle); Dylan Harper, (OUT - Calf)
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (GTD - Groin); Jaxson Hayes, (GTD - Ankle); Maxi Kleber, (OUT - Oblique); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Ankle); Adou Thiero, (OUT - Knee); LeBron James, (OUT - Back)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -4.5 (-110) | Blazers +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Thunder -195 | Blazers +165
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 7.9, straight up 71%, 232.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT - Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee); Luguentz Dort, (GTD - Shoulder); Jalen Williams, (OUT - Wrist); Kenrich Williams, (OUT - Knee)
Blazers: Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles); Shaedon Sharpe, (GTD - Calf); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Hamstring); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Thumb); Blake Wesley, (OUT - Foot)
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: Warriors +2.5 (-105) | Kings -2.5 (-115)
Money line: Warriors +120 | Kings -140
Total: 227.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Kings by 0.7, straight up 52%, 227.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Al Horford, (GTD - Toe); Alex Toohey, (GTD - Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (GTD - Back); Stephen Curry, (OUT - Illness); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Knee)
Kings: Domantas Sabonis, (GTD - Ribs); Zach LaVine, (GTD - Back); Keegan Murray, (OUT - Thumb)