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.
Jump ahead
Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Tuesday's games
There are 10 games on Tuesday's NBA slate and seven on the DFS slate.
The San Antonio Spurs host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night in what could serve as a potential NBA Finals preview. San Antonio enters the matchup on a four-game winning streak and has won 15 of its past 16 games, improving to 47-17 and remaining in the hunt for the top seed in the Western Conference. Boston, meanwhile, sits 43-21 and has won five of its past six games, including a 109-98 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings as they chase the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
A major storyline for the Celtics is the return of Jayson Tatum, who recently returned from a torn Achilles. Tatum has looked strong in limited minutes, scoring 20 points in his second game back, while Jaylen Brown continues to anchor the offense during Tatum's gradual ramp-up. Boston's identity remains rooted in defense, as the Celtics lead the league in points allowed at 106.9 per game and have held opponents under 100 points 19 times this season.
The Spurs been just as impressive, fueled by the continued rise of Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio is coming off a dominant 145-120 victory over the Houston Rockets in which Wembanyama scored 29 points while multiple teammates eclipsed the 20-point mark. The Spurs fast pace and offensive versatility have powered the league's hottest stretch of basketball, and they already own a 100-95 victory over the Celtics earlier this season.
Tuesday's matchup will feature elite talent on both sides, with Boston's balanced two-way attack meeting a Spurs team playing its best basketball of the year. If San Antonio can continue its offensive efficiency and control the tempo against Boston's disciplined defense, the game could provide an early glimpse of what a championship showdown might look like in June.
As always, let's dig deeper into these and the other storylines on display to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this Tuesday slate.
Tuesday's fantasy stream team
Quentin Grimes, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (rostered in 33.9% of ESPN leagues)
Injuries in Philadelphia's backcourt to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have opened the door for Grimes to take on a larger role. He has played at least 31 minutes and produced at least 24 fantasy points in three consecutive games. The matchup is also favorable for Grimes against the Memphis Grizzlies, whose defense has been vulnerable to guards this season. That opportunity also makes him a solid DFS option at $6,900.
Gui Santos, SF, Golden State Warriors (25.6%)
Santos remains a solid streaming option whether he starts or comes off the bench for the Warriors. Over his past 15 games, he has averaged 32.8 fantasy points per game, which leads the team, along with 31.3 minutes per contest during that stretch. His production extends beyond scoring, as he contributes across multiple statistical categories, which enhances his value. The matchup is also favorable against the Chicago Bulls, who rank 22nd in defensive rating this season.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Moody's favorite bets for Tuesday
Cooper Flagg over 32.5 points, rebounds and assists (-112)
Flagg has finished under this line in three straight games since returning from a foot injury and has struggled with his shot during that stretch. However, those matchups came against strong defensive teams in the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors. Considering Flagg's usage rate and consistent minutes, he finds himself in a more favorable situation against the Atlanta Hawks. Both Atlanta and the Dallas Mavericks rank among the top five in pace this season, creating an up-tempo environment that should provide Flagg with more opportunities to clear this line.
Jalen Green over 19.5 points (-118)
Green should see increased scoring opportunities with Dillon Brooks sidelined due to a broken left hand, which should result in additional field-goal attempts. Efficiency has been a concern, as Green is shooting 36.9% from the field this season, but recent production suggests he can still clear this number. He has surpassed this mark in five of his last six games with Brooks out and Devin Booker active. The matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks is reasonable as well, as Milwaukee has been a middle-of-the-pack defensive unit this season. Green is positioned well to eclipse this line.
Donovan Clingan under 23.5 points, rebounds and assists (-108)
This is a difficult matchup for Clingan. The Charlotte Hornets rank seventh in defensive rating over their last 15 games and have been particularly effective at defending the restricted area, where Clingan does most of his scoring. The presence of Jrue Holiday, Deni Avdija and Robert Williams III also works against Clingan, as they siphon away both usage and minutes. Clingan has played 15 games with all three active and has finished under this line in 12 of them.
Luka Doncic 35+ points (+122)
Doncic has scored 35 or more points in 23 of his 52 games this season and has averaged 32.5 PPG. LeBron James is listed as questionable for tonight's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a hip/foot injury, and given his age there's a chance he could sit. Even if James plays, this line remains appealing. Doncic has appeared in 11 games this season without James with Austin Reaves active, and he has scored 35 or more points in seven of those contests. Doncic is matchup-proof, but the Timberwolves have also allowed the eighth-most points per game to point guards over the last 15 games.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play Daily Fantasy NBA at DraftKings
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks ($10,500)
Johnson has scored at least 42 fantasy points in two consecutive games and has been a double-double and triple-double machine throughout the season. He's averaging 50.7 fantasy points per game and draws a favorable matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over their past 30 games.
Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat ($8,400)
Adebayo has been outstanding over his last six games, he's averaged 48.4 fantasy points while playing 34.0 minutes per game and contributing across nearly every statistical category, including three-pointers. The matchup also favors him against the Washington Wizards, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to centers this season, giving Adebayo a strong chance to continue his recent production.
Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons ($8,200)
Duren has averaged 44.2 fantasy points over his last nine games while contributing across multiple statistical categories beyond just scoring and rebounding. He draws a favorable matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, who may struggle with his physical presence in the paint. Brooklyn has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 15 games and ranks 24th in defensive rating during that stretch.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Tyler Herro, PG/SG, Miami Heat ($8,000)
Herro is healthy and playing at a high level, making him a strong option for DFS lineups after scoring at least 40 fantasy points in each of his last two games. The matchup also sets up well, as the Heat face the Washington Wizards in a game featuring two teams that rank among the top six in pace this season. Washington enters the contest ranked 30th in defensive rating and has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards this season, giving Herro a great opportunity to pile up fantasy production.
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers ($7,000)
Both Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are currently sidelined, which should lead to a larger role in the offense for Oubre despite finishing with just 10 fantasy points in 14 minutes Monday against the Cavaliers. He showed his upside two games earlier with 39.2 fantasy points in 36 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks, and he's in a favorable matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to small forwards over their last 30 games. Increased usage is likely in Philadelphia's current lineup situation, putting Oubre in position for a bounce-back performance. He should also be on the streaming radar in season-long leagues if available, as he's currently rostered in 51.3% of ESPN leagues.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF, Miami Heat ($6,200)
Jaquez has scored at least 30 fantasy points in five of his last six games and has played 30 or more minutes in three of those contests. The matchup also sets up well against the Washington Wizards, who have struggled defensively all season and have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to small forwards. This positions Jaquez as an excellent value play in a favorable matchup.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Tobias Harris, PF, Detroit Pistons ($5,900)
Harris has been a steady DFS option throughout the season, he's averaged 25.8 fantasy points while playing 28.5 minutes per game and contributing across multiple statistical categories. The matchup also works in his favor against the Brooklyn Nets, who have struggled defensively and have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over their last seven games.
Pelle Larsson, SG/SF, Miami Heat ($5,500)
Injuries have depleted Miami's backcourt recently, creating an opportunity for Larsson to step into a larger role. During that stretch, he has averaged 23.1 fantasy points per game and should continue seeing meaningful minutes. The matchup is also favorable against the Wizards, who have struggled defensively and play at one of the fastest paces in the league. That combination puts Larsson in a position to outperform his salary, making him an appealing value play on the slate and a potential streamer in deeper formats, especially considering he's rostered in just 3.8% of ESPN leagues.
Julian Champagnie, SF, San Antonio Spurs ($4,900)
Champagnie has produced at least 22 fantasy points in four consecutive games, including games of 30 or more during the Spurs' recent four-game winning streak. San Antonio currently leads the league in offensive rating over the last 15 games, while the Celtics rank first in defensive rating during that same stretch. Champagnie contributes across multiple statistical categories, which helps his outlook in a challenging matchup. Boston has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to centers this season, meaning the defense will likely focus heavily on Victor Wembanyama in the paint, potentially creating additional opportunities for Champagnie on the perimeter and in secondary scoring situations. He's also a viable streaming option in deeper leagues, as he's currently rostered in just 13.8% of leagues.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Memphis Grizzlies at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +3.5 (-118) | 76ers -3.5 (-102)
Money line: Grizzlies +130 | 76ers -155
Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1.9, straight up 56%, 236.5 total points.
Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -15.5 (-112) | Nets +15.5 (-108)
Money line: Pistons -1200 | Nets +750
Total: 217.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 14, straight up 85%, 218.0 total points.
Washington Wizards at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +15.5 (-115) | Heat -15.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizards +700 | Heat -1100
Total: 237.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 15.3, straight up 87%, 240.7 total points.
Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +9.5 (-105) | Hawks -9.5 (-115)
Money line: Mavericks +330 | Hawks -425
Total: 240.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 6.8, straight up 70%, 243.2 total points.
Toronto Raptors at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +5.5 (-115) | Rockets -5.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors +170 | Rockets -205
Total: 217.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.2, straight up 63%, 219.9 total points.
Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +1.5 (-120) | Bucks -1.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Suns -108 | Bucks -112
Total: 217.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 0.8, straight up 53%, 221.8 total points.
Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics +2.5 (-102) | Spurs -2.5 (-118)
Money line: Celtics +124 | Spurs -148
Total: 222.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 2.4, straight up 57%, 220.0 total points.
Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +6.5 (-115) | Warriors -6.5 (-105)
Money line: Bulls +195 | Warriors -238
Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 5.1, straight up 65%, 235.0 total points.
Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -3.5 (-102) | Blazers +3.5 (-118)
Money line: Hornets -155 | Blazers +130
Total: 226.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 4.5, straight up 64%, 227.5 total points.
Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +2.5 (-102) | Kings -2.5 (-118)
Money line: Pacers +130 | Kings -155
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Kings by 0.2, straight up 51%, 236.6 total points.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
11 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves -2.5 (-118) | Lakers +2.5 (-102)
Money line: Timberwolves -142 | Lakers +120
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 1.9, straight up 56%, 232.2 total points.