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.
What you need to know for Wednesday
Wednesday is almost always a big night for the NBA in terms of games on the schedule, and today is no different with nine games on tap. Of those games, three pit two teams with winning records against one another.
The Houston Rockets, currently the third seed in the West, face the second-seeded team in the East in the Cleveland Cavaliers. This matchup pits two deep teams against one another, each led by scorching scorers in Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell.
Two surprising teams face off in Philadelphia, where the third-seeded Toronto Raptors visit the fifth-seeded 76ers. Joel Embiid is doubtful to play, likely to miss his fifth straight game against a Raptors squad vying for their fifth straight win.
And in Florida, the 8-6 Miami Heat host the 9-7 Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are on the second half of a Florida back-to-back after losing to the Orlando Magic last night, and Stephen Curry is questionable to play tonight with an ankle issue.
These, and many other storylines, will be on display on Wednesday night. As we always do, let's dig deeper to identify some fantasy streamers and betting angles of interest on this Hump Day.
Wednesday's fantasy stream team
Dennis Schroder, PG, Sacramento Kings (rostered in 41.2% of ESPN leagues): Schroder has returned to a sixth-man role in his past two games, and it seems to have jump-started his play after a week-long slump. In that span, Schroder has averaged 18.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG and 3.5 3PG in 31.5 MPG off the bench.
Moussa Diabate, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets (24.0% rostered): Diabate is always a threat to notch a double-double, even though he comes off the bench. He has averaged 10.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 1.5 BPG over his past four outings, with two double-doubles in that span. On Wednesday he faces a Pacers squad that ranks in the bottom 10 in the NBA in both points and rebounds allowed to opposing centers. In fact, Hornets starting center Ryan Kalkbrenner (34.8% rostered) makes a good streamer on Wednesday as well.
Davion Mitchell, PG, Miami Heat (45.5%): Mitchell is fresh off dropping a season-high 18 points on Monday. He has upped his scoring of late, scoring double-figures in five straight games with averages of 13.4 PPG, 7.2 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.6 3PG during that span.
Andre Drummond, C, Philadelphia 76ers (17.1%): When Embiid sits, Drummond is an every-game plug-and-play. Embiid is doubtful, so Drummond is in line to post another monster double-double. In the last four games, all of which Embiid has sat, Drummond has averaged 14.3 PPG and 13.5 RPG with double-double in all four.
Dre's bets for Wednesday
Oklahoma City Thunder -18.5 (-110) vs. Sacramento Kings
This is an incredibly large spread, but I'm not sure it's high enough. This is a perfect storm. The Thunder have won six straight games, all by double figures, with an average margin of victory of 21.3 PPG. The Kings, meanwhile, have lost six straight, all by double figures, with an average margin of defeat of 22.0 PPG. One of those last six games for each team was against each other. In that game, the Thunder went on the road to Sacramento and beat the Kings by 31 points.
Andre Drummond OVER 24.5 total points and rebounds (-115)
Drummond's season averages are lower because of the games when Embiid is available. But when Embiid is out, Drummond is elite. In each of the last five games Embiid has sat, Drummond has notched a double-double. He has combined for at least 26 points + rebounds in four of those five games. As he has been throughout his career, Drummond is a metronome producer of points and rebounds when he gets starter minutes.
Donovan Mitchell OVER 28.5 total points (-115)
Mitchell has scored 30 or more points in each of his past three games since sitting his most recent game a week ago against the Heat. He has scored 29 or more in six of his past eight outings, going back to his previous absence. Darius Garland is still sidelined as he recovers from injury, and Mitchell has been picking up the slack. The Cavaliers will need his offense on Wednesday to be competitive against an excellent Rockets squad.
Jimmy Butler III OVER 21.5 total points (-115)
Butler dropped 33 points against the Magic last night and is averaging 25.0 PPG in his past four games. With Curry and Jonathan Kuminga both questionable to play, Butler could be in line to carry a larger load Wednesday. Plus, Butler will be returning to Miami to face the squad that traded him last season, and the Heat don't defend opposing small forwards well, ranking 24th in points allowed to the position.
Shaedon Sharpe OVER 25.5 points (-125)
Sharpe has been in the zone for more than a week now. In his past five games, he has averaged 30.0 PPG while scoring at least 29 points in four of them. He is on the second half of a back-to-back, but he dropped 29 points last night in only 30 minutes of play, so he shouldn't be worn down. Sharpe also started at point guard on Tuesday in place of Jrue Holiday (questionable, calf). If he starts at the point again Wednesday, that could be an advantage against a Bulls team that ranks 23rd in the NBA in points allowed to opposing point guards.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -1.5 (-105) | Cavaliers +1.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -125 | Cavaliers +105
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 0.4, straight up 51%, 239.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee); Jabari Smith Jr., (GTD - Knee); Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT - Ankle); Tari Eason, (OUT - Hip)
Cavaliers: Sam Merrill, (GTD - Hand); Darius Garland, (OUT - Toe); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT - Concussion); Max Strus, (OUT - Foot)
Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -1.5 (-110) | Pacers +1.5 (-110)
Money line: Hornets -130 | Pacers +110
Total: 237.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 0.6, straight up 52%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD - Ankle); Brandon Miller, (OUT - Shoulder); Liam McNeeley, (OUT - Illness); Grant Williams, (OUT - Knee); Josh Green, (OUT - Shoulder)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles); Johnny Furphy, (OUT - Ankle); Quenton Jackson, (OUT - Hamstring); Kam Jones, (OUT - Back); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Knee)
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors -1.5 (-115) | 76ers +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors -130 | 76ers +110
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1.5, straight up 54%, 235.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles, (GTD - Knee); Ochai Agbaji, (GTD - Back)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT - Knee); Paul George, (OUT - Knee); Adem Bona, (OUT - Ankle)
Golden State Warriors at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Warriors +6.5 (-110) | Heat -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Warriors +175 | Heat -210
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 2, straight up 56%, 238.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD - Knee); Stephen Curry, (GTD - Ankle); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Knee)
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD - Toe); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Ankle); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +16.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -16.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +900 | Timberwolves -1800
Total: 237.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 16.6, straight up 90%, 239.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD - Toe)
Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels, (GTD - Wrist); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT - Foot)
Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -14.5 (-110) | Pelicans +14.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets -1200 | Pelicans +700
Total: 234.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 13.1, straight up 84%, 236.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Christian Braun, (OUT - Ankle); Julian Strawther, (OUT - Back)
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles); Saddiq Bey, (GTD - Ankle); Zion Williamson, (GTD - Hamstring); Jordan Poole, (OUT - Quadriceps); Karlo Matkovic, (OUT - Calf)
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +18.5 (-110) | Thunder -18.5 (-110)
Money line: Kings +1100 | Thunder -2500
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 19.1, straight up 93%, 232.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Domantas Sabonis, (OUT - Knee); Keegan Murray, (OUT - Thumb)
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT - Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee); Aaron Wiggins, (OUT - Thigh); Jalen Williams, (OUT - Wrist); Kenrich Williams, (OUT - Knee)
New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -5.5 (-110) | Mavericks +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Knicks -225 | Mavericks +190
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 8.1, straight up 73%, 230.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, (GTD - Ankle); Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT - Back); OG Anunoby, (OUT - Hamstring)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Daniel Gafford, (GTD - Ankle); Dereck Lively II, (GTD - Knee); Anthony Davis, (OUT - Calf); Dante Exum, (OUT - Knee)
Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -3.5 (-105) | Blazers +3.5 (-115)
Money line: Bulls -145 | Blazers +125
Total: 244.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 0.1, straight up 50%, 246.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Zach Collins, (OUT - Wrist)
Blazers: Blake Wesley, (OUT - Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Illness); Jrue Holiday, (GTD - Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Hamstring)