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 | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
The NBA will have no games on Wednesday for Christmas Eve and five games on Christmas Day, so they jam-packed the schedule tonight with 14 games on the schedule. A full 28 of the 30 teams are in action, meaning there are opportunities for big performances across the board.
One fun matchup revisits the big trade going into last season, with the New York Knicks traveling to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns returns to the city where he made his start with his All NBA teammate Jalen Brunson (ankle) sidelined, while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are waiting to face their ex teammates.
Oklahoma City travels to San Antonio for a rematch of the NBA Cup semifinal in which the Spurs gave the Thunder their second loss of the season. And we get two of the most exciting players in the MVP facing off with reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama on the court together.
In Phoenix, we get another installment of LeBron James facing off with Dillon Brooks after the last chapter ended with an ejection. But with Luka Doncic sidelined and Austin Reaves questionable to return after a three-game absence, James could be carrying a heavier load this time around.
These, and many other storylines will be on display tonight. Let's dig deeper into these matchups to identify some fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this massive slate of games.
Tuesday's fantasy stream team
Mitchell Robinson, C, New York Knicks (rostered in 7.4% of ESPN leagues): Robinson has played three strong games in the last week, even if the NBA Cup final didn't count toward his season statistics. He has been dominant on the glass, notched his typical strong defensive stats, and even showed he can score with a 21 point/16 rebound performance against the 76ers.
Peyton Watson, SF/PF, Denver Nuggets (9.3%): Watson returned with a bang after having missed two games with a trunk injury, scoring 20 points in 28 minutes on Monday against the Jazz. He picked up where he left off; in the 11 games before his injury, Watson averaged 15.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 1.9 3PG.
Bobby Portis, PF, Milwaukee Bucks (47.3%): Portis has stepped up with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined. In his last four games, Portis has averaged 19.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 3.0 3PG. He moved into the starting lineup on Sunday and notched his third double-double in his last four games.
Cam Spencer, SG/PG, Memphis Grizzlies (32.7%): This is one of my favorite matchups of the day. Spencer is instant offense, averaging 18.6 PPG, 6.9 APG and 3.9 3PG in 30.0 MPG in his last seven outings. Meanwhile, he's facing a very friendly Jazz defense that allows the second-most points in the NBA to opposing point guards.
Dillon Brooks, SF/SG, Phoenix Suns (46.2%): Brooks has had a breakout season on offense, and continues to show he can be a consistent second option on offense. In the two games since the last Lakers game where he was ejected for two technical fouls, Brooks has averaged 23.0 PPG...the same as he has averaged over his last 16 games.
Dre's bets for Tuesday
Josh Giddey OVER 17.5 total assists and rebounds (-104)
Giddey has averaged 9.2 RPG and 8.9 APG (18.1 A+R) on the season and has notched at least 21 combined rebounds and assists in two of his last three games. One of those games was against Tuesday's opponents, the Hawks. In two games against the Hawks this season, Giddey has double-doubles in both games with at least 18 A+R in each.
Julius Randle over 20.5 points (-114)
Randle gets the chance to face off against his former Knicks team for the second time this season. The first time, last month, Randle dropped 32 points in 38 minutes in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks rank in the bottom half of the NBA in points allowed to opposing power forwards this season.
Kel'el Ware over 13.5 points (-118)
Ware has started the last three games with Tyler Herro sidelined and has absolutely exploded, averaging 24.7 PPG and 15.0 RPG in 31.0 MPG. He has at least 22 points in all three games, and notched a career-high 28 points in his last outing on Sunday.
Stephon Castle over 16.5 points (-106)
Castle has been very consistent as a scorer since returning from his injury layoff earlier this month. In his five games back, he has averaged 20.3 PPG with at least 17 points scored in all five games. That includes his last matchup against the Thunder, in the NBA Cup semifinal, when Castle dropped 22 points on an efficient 9-for-16 from the field.
LeBron James over 23.5 points (-112)
The Lakers will be without Doncic on Tuesday night. Reaves has missed the last three games with a calf injury, and is listed as questionable after having completed a partial practice on Monday. But James has been on a scoring run of late, averaging 27.6 PPG in his last five outings as he has played himself into shape and his teammates have been in-and-out of the lineup. James dropped 26 points against the Suns last week, and will likely have to carry a larger scoring role again tonight.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play Daily Fantasy NBA at DraftKings
$8100+ salaries
Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets ($12,700): Jokic is the highest-priced player in the game for good reason, and with his average of 66.8 FP/G he is value even at that price. Particularly on a night where almost every team is playing but three of the next-four highest priced players are either out (Doncic and Antetokounmpo) or questionable (Wembanyama).
Tyrese Maxey, PG, Philadelphia 76ers ($9,900): Maxey has averaged better stats in games with Joel Embiid (34.4 PPG, 7.9 APG) than without him (30.1 PPG, 6.7 APG) this season. Embiid is probable to play on Tuesday.
LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers ($9,500): James has scored at least 51.5 fantasy points in four straight games, and with Doncic out and Reaves questionable it is likely James will need to put another big game on the board tonight.
$6100-$8000 salaries
Brandon Ingram, SF, Toronto Raptors ($7,800): Ingram has scored at least 41.5 fantasy points in four of his last five games, and on Tuesday faces a Heat squad that plays the fastest pace in the NBA.
Cooper Flagg, SF, Dallas Mavericks ($7,400): Outside of a poor game in a blowout loss to the Thunder early in the month, Flagg has notched between 34 and 65 fantasy points in each of his other 10 most recent games to become a strong-floor/high-ceiling option.
Josh Hart, SG, New York Knicks ($7,300): Hart has big upside in this game with Brunson sidelined, and even with Brunson he has notched seven games of 40 or more fantasy points in the last month.
$3500-$6000 salaries
Jusuf Nurkic, C,Utah Jazz ($5,900): Nurkic is a walking double-double when he's on the court, and has notched between 35.5 and 50 fantasy points in three of his last four games.
Bobby Portis, PF, Milwaukee Bucks ($5,900): Portis is zoning right now, with two games over 45 fantasy points and three over 34 fantasy points in his last four outings.
Kel'el Ware, C, Miami Heat ($5,900): Ware has at least 22 points and 12 rebounds in three straight games, averaging 52.2 FP in those games.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +6.5 (-110) | Hornets -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +200 | Hornets -245
Total: 238.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 6.5, straight up 68%, 236.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD - Ankle); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD - Calf); Cam Whitmore, (OUT - Shoulder)
Hornets: Collin Sexton, (GTD - Quadriceps); Mason Plumlee, (GTD - Groin); Ryan Kalkbrenner, (GTD - Elbow); Grant Williams, (OUT - Knee)
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +10.5 (-118) | 76ers -10.5 (-102)
Money line: Nets +330 | 76ers -425
Total: 219.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 10.8, straight up 78%, 226.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee); Ben Saraf, (GTD - Ankle); Drake Powell, (OUT - Ankle); Cam Thomas, (OUT - Hamstring)
76ers: Dominick Barlow, (GTD - Illness); Joel Embiid, (GTD - Illness); Quentin Grimes, (GTD - Illness); VJ Edgecombe, (GTD - Illness); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT - Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT - Thigh)
Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +4.5 (-115) | Hawks -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Bulls +136 | Hawks -162
Total: 253.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 6.4, straight up 68%, 247.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: None reported
Hawks: Mouhamed Gueye, (GTD - Shoulder); Dyson Daniels, (OUT - Hip); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT - Illness); N'Faly Dante, (OUT - Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +8.5 (-102) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-118)
Money line: Pelicans +285 | Cavaliers -360
Total: 245.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 9.5, straight up 75%, 244.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles); Herbert Jones, (GTD - Ankle)
Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, (OUT - Calf); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT - Calf); Max Strus, (OUT - Foot)
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks -1.5 (-110) | Pacers +1.5 (-110)
Money line: Bucks -120 | Pacers +EVEN
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 0.3, straight up 51%, 227.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Taurean Prince, (OUT - Neck); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT - Calf)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles); Isaiah Jackson, (GTD - Head); , (GTD - Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Knee); Ben Sheppard, (OUT - Calf)
Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +5.5 (-118) | Heat -5.5 (-102)
Money line: Raptors +170 | Heat -205
Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 4.1, straight up 62%, 233.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Back); RJ Barrett, (OUT - Knee)
Heat: Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related); Nikola Jovic, (OUT - Elbow); Pelle Larsson, (OUT - Ankle); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Toe)
Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -6.5 (-108) | Mavericks +6.5 (-112)
Money line: Nuggets -250 | Mavericks +205
Total: 235.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 5.6, straight up 66%, 240.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Hamstring); Christian Braun, (OUT - Ankle); Tamar Bates, (OUT - Foot)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Dante Exum, (OFS - Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS - Foot); Brandon Williams, (GTD - Ankle); Max Christie, (GTD - Illness)
New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks +7.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Knicks +225 | Timberwolves -278
Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 0.8, straight up 53%, 232.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Guerschon Yabusele, (OUT - Illness); Jalen Brunson, (OUT - Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Shoulder); Miles McBride, (OUT - Ankle); OG Anunoby, (OUT - Ankle)
Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels, (GTD - Hip); Joe Ingles, (OUT - Personal)
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -5.5 (-112) | Spurs +5.5 (-108)
Money line: Thunder -225 | Spurs +185
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 5.7, straight up 66%, 230.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT - Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee); Aaron Wiggins, (GTD - Thigh); Ajay Mitchell, (GTD - Undisclosed); Alex Caruso, (GTD - Finger); Chet Holmgren, (GTD - Illness); Isaiah Hartenstein, (GTD - Calf); Jaylin Williams, (GTD - Heel); Ousmane Dieng, (GTD - Calf)
Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, (GTD - Calf)
Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +6.5 (-118) | Suns -6.5 (-102)
Money line: Lakers +195 | Suns -238
Total: 227.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 1.3, straight up 54%, 230.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (GTD - Calf); Luka Doncic, (OUT - Leg); Rui Hachimura, (OUT - Groin); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Back)
Suns: Jalen Green, (OUT - Hamstring); Grayson Allen, (GTD - Knee); Koby Brea, (GTD - Concussion)
Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies -3.5 (-110) | Jazz +3.5 (-110)
Money line: Grizzlies -162 | Jazz +136
Total: 243.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 4.2, straight up 62%, 243.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: John Konchar, (OUT - Thumb); Javon Small, (OUT - Toe); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle); , (OUT - Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Calf); Ja Morant, (GTD - Ankle); Vince Williams Jr., (GTD - Knee)
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS - Shoulder); Georges Niang, (OUT - Foot)
Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -1.5 (-115) | Blazers +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Magic -125 | Blazers +105
Total: 232.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 2.9, straight up 59%, 233.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (GTD - Hip); Tristan da Silva, (GTD - Shoulder); Colin Castleton, (OUT - Hand); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle); Moritz Wagner, (OUT - Knee)
Blazers: Blake Wesley, (OUT - Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Achilles); Jrue Holiday, (OUT - Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Hamstring)
Detroit Pistons at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -8.5 (-115) | Kings +8.5 (-105)
Money line: Pistons -380 | Kings +300
Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 9.3, straight up 75%, 231.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Ronald Holland II, (GTD - Knee)
Kings: Drew Eubanks, (OUT - Thumb); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT - Knee); Devin Carter, (GTD - Ankle); Doug McDermott, (GTD - Knee); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Ankle)
Houston Rockets at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -7.5 (-120) | Clippers +7.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Rockets -310 | Clippers +250
Total: 219.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 6.2, straight up 67%, 224.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT - Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee)
Clippers: Ivica Zubac, (OUT - Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT - Knee)