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Jim McCormick
Multiple Authors
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 Sunday’s games
Eleven games on Easter Sunday. Someone at the league office has a sense of humor.
Jokes aside, fantasy managers and bettors have 22 rosters to sift through, and doing it right this time of year requires a different lens. Lottery-bound teams are shutting down veterans, chasing draft position, and handing real work to young and obscure players. The landscape shifts daily.
The Memphis Grizzlies alone have 11 players officially out today, with several more doubtful or questionable. Memphis presents an extreme case, but not an outlier in spirit. Injury reports read like novels right now, and availability is everything.
For bettors, the play is patience. Wait for lineups, then look for players inheriting minutes or usage that could prove rewarding. Those spikes are where value lives. Fantasy managers should chase the same opportunity. Players getting a real run on a tanking roster often outproduce stars who are limited or in blowout scenarios.
Who’s actually suiting up, who still has something to play for, and how rotations have shifted — that’s the edge today. With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Sunday’s fantasy stream team
Will Riley, SF/SG, Washington Wizards (Rostered in 18.2% of ESPN leagues): A key nominee in this space yesterday, Riley posted a career-best 31 points in Saturday’s loss to the Miami Heat. Next up is a favorable matchup with the Brooklyn Nets that could see Riley again pace the Wizards in scoring and shots.
Jeremiah Fears, PG, New Orleans Pelicans (22.7%): The Pelicans have turned a corner this season thanks in part to the growth of Fears. A fearless scorer who has developed as a creator for others this season, Fears should play big minutes with heavy usage in today’s matchup with the Orlando Magic.
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic (29.6%): It’s somewhat rare to see a steady veteran center emerge as a scorer late in the season, but here we are. Carter has become more productive and assertive in the post lately, helping establish inside-out gravity for a team in need of spacing and scoring. The Pelicans, meanwhile, offer little resistance in the restricted area.
Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Utah Jazz (30.9%): A true bucket, Sensabaugh is a natural and gifted scorer. The Jazz are empowering him with minutes and touches, a recipe that could work well with Utah positioned as a massive underdog against the Thunder.
McCormick’s bets for Sunday
Will Riley over 17.5 points (-116)
With the Wizards leaning on Riley as a primary offensive engine, he has the minutes and shot volume to support this scoring total.
Deandre Ayton over 15.5 points (-124)
It somehow feels riskier to trust a former No. 1 overall pick than Riley, but the ingredients are here for Ayton to deliver. With the Los Angeles Lakers missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves today, Ayton becomes a major scoring threat as the roll man in actions with LeBron James. The Mavericks are also missing Derek Lively II as a rim protector, giving Ayton room to operate.
Top daily fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ Salaries
Cooper Flagg, PG, Dallas Mavericks ($9,800)
It remains remarkable that Flagg carries point guard eligibility dating back to an odd early-season experiment. Now fully settled into a forward role with major usage — if not pure point guard responsibilities — Flagg presents value as a marquee fantasy option facing Ayton and a weak Lakers defense.
Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns ($8,800)
There is a degree of cost certainty with Booker that provides confidence in a somewhat unpredictable DFS market. The day is split into two main tournament groupings, with afternoon and evening pools to choose from. Booker headlines the early group as a steady option with upside against a Bulls team that simply doesn’t defend well on the perimeter.
$6,100-$8,000 Salaries
Ayo Dosunmu, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves ($6,900)
A standout in the middle tier today, Dosunmu is thriving as a creator for Minnesota. The Timberwolves needed help initiating and organizing offensive sets — a role Dosunmu has excelled in since arriving from Chicago. With touches and playing time on his side, this combo guard is a strong play against the Hornets.
$3,500-$6,000 Salaries
Rui Hachimura, SF, Los Angeles Lakers ($4,400)
It helps when a player’s price doesn’t reflect an uptick in workload. The Lakers will need more from Hachimura today given the absence of roughly 60 points from their lineup. As with Dosunmu, playing time and an expanded role bolster his case.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +9.5 (-115) | Celtics -9.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors +350 | Celtics -455
Total: 219.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 6.4, straight up 69%, 218.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Foot); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic, (GTD – Finger)
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +3.5 (-110) | Nets -3.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +142 | Nets -170
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nets by 4.5, straight up 64%, 225.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Heel); Justin Champagnie, (GTD – Knee); Tre Johnson, (GTD – Foot); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD – Knee); Alex Sarr, (OUT – Toe); Trae Young, (OUT – Quadriceps); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder); Kyshawn George, (OFS – Elbow)
Nets: Ben Saraf, (GTD – Back); Noah Clowney, (GTD – Ankle); Terance Mann, (GTD – Achilles); Nic Claxton, (OUT – Hand); Ziaire Williams, (OUT – Foot); Danny Wolf, (OFS – Ankle); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot); Michael Porter Jr., (OFS – Hamstring)
Phoenix Suns at Chicago Bulls
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Suns -9.5 (-118) | Bulls +9.5 (-102)
Money line: Suns -470 | Bulls +360
Total: 239.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 7.1, straight up 71%, 234.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Amir Coffey, (GTD – Ankle); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)
Bulls: Collin Sexton, (GTD – Finger); Nick Richards, (GTD – Elbow); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Wrist); Jalen Smith, (OFS – Calf); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)
Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +6.5 (-112) | Bucks -6.5 (-108)
Money line: Grizzlies +200 | Bucks -245
Total: 227.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 0.9, straight up 53%, 233.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Cedric Coward, (GTD – Back); GG Jackson, (GTD – Knee); Taj Gibson, (GTD – Foot); Walter Clayton Jr., (GTD – Hip); Cam Spencer, (OUT – Back); Jahmai Mashack, (OUT – Concussion); Javon Small, (OUT – Thigh); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OFS – Calf); Ja Morant, (OFS – Elbow)
Bucks: Ryan Rollins, (GTD – Hip); Bobby Portis, (OUT – Wrist); Gary Trent Jr., (OUT – Hip); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Knee); Kevin Porter Jr., (OFS – Knee)
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
6 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +15.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -15.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers +900 | Cavaliers -1600
Total: 238.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 14.1, straight up 86%, 240.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Hip); Jarace Walker, (GTD – Back); Obi Toppin, (GTD – Foot); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Neck); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT – Back); Pascal Siakam, (OUT – Back); T.J. McConnell, (OUT – Hamstring); Ivica Zubac, (OFS – Ribs); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (OUT – Ankle); Evan Mobley, (OUT – Calf); Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Knee); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT – Toe); Sam Merrill, (OUT – Hamstring)
Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -2.5 (-105) | Timberwolves +2.5 (-115)
Money line: Hornets -125 | Timberwolves +105
Total: 227.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 3.2, straight up 60%, 228.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Moussa Diabate, (GTD – Ankle); PJ Hall, (OUT – Ankle)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD – Knee); Jaden McDaniels, (OUT – Knee)
Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans
7 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -4.5 (-112) | Pelicans +4.5 (-108)
Money line: Magic -198 | Pelicans +164
Total: 236.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 2.2, straight up 57%, 236.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Anthony Black, (OUT – Abdomen); Jonathan Isaac, (OUT – Knee)
Pelicans: Bryce McGowens, (GTD – Toe); Dejounte Murray, (GTD – Hand); Karlo Matkovic, (GTD – Back); Trey Murphy III, (GTD – Ankle)
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder
7 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +23.5 (-115) | Thunder -23.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +1800 | Thunder -5000
Total: 238.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 24.6, straight up 96%, 238.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Isaiah Collier, (OUT – Hamstring); Keyonte George, (OUT – Hamstring); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Hip); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Jusuf Nurkic, (OFS – Nose); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Thunder: Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers -1.5 (-115) | Mavericks +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Lakers -125 | Mavericks +105
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 5.8, straight up 68%, 236.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt, (GTD – Calf); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Ankle); Austin Reaves, (OUT – Oblique); Luka Doncic, (OUT – Hamstring)
Mavericks: Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Shoulder); Tyler Smith, (GTD – Back); Caleb Martin, (OUT – Heel); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
LA Clippers at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers -13.5 (-102) | Kings +13.5 (-118)
Money line: Clippers -850 | Kings +575
Total: 228.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 10.7, straight up 80%, 229.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)
Kings: Isaiah Stevens, (OUT – Ankle); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle); Russell Westbrook, (OUT – Toe); De’Andre Hunter, (OFS – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS – Knee); Drew Eubanks, (OFS – Thumb); Zach LaVine, (OFS – Finger)
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -3.5 (-112) | Warriors +3.5 (-108)
Money line: Rockets -162 | Warriors +136
Total: 226.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 2.9, straight up 59%, 224.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Warriors: Gui Santos, (GTD – Pelvis); Seth Curry, (GTD – Thigh); Stephen Curry, (GTD – Knee); Quinten Post, (OUT – Foot); Al Horford, (OUT – Calf); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee); Moses Moody, (OFS – Knee)
