ESPN’s daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for tonight’s games. Here you’ll read our top tips for the evening, including a selection of players you can stream as well as match-by-match injury reports.
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Best streamers | Best Bets | Odds and injury ratio
What you need to know for Tuesday’s matches
The 2025-26 NBA season begins Tuesday with two notable matchups.
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets as OKC raises its first championship banner after a franchise-best 68-14 campaign. Houston, after a 52-win season and the arrival of Kevin Durant, arrives with renewed expectations and a chance to spoil the celebration.
In the West, the Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a Pacific Division clash. With LeBron James out until mid-November, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves lead a Lakers team eager to make a quick statement. Both games feature elite talent, compelling storylines, and strong fantasy and gambling angles to open the year.
Tuesday Fantasy Stream Team
Rui Hachimura, PF/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (registered in 16.5% of ESPN leagues): Hachimura is a great short-term streamer with LeBron sidelined by right-sided sciatica. Hachimura is expected to take on a larger offensive role after averaging 13.1 PPG and 5.3 RPG in 31.7 MPG last year. When James sat last season, Hachimura thrived, posting 19.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG. His extended minutes and scoring potential make him a solid short-term pickup in all formats.
Cason Wallace, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder (8.4% on roster): Wallace is thrust into a larger role to start the season with Jalen Williams ruled out with a wrist injury that could cost him another game or two this week. Wallace is a solid source of points, threes and steals. He averaged 10.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG and 2.0 SPG in seven games without Williams last season.
Alex Caruso, SG/PG, Oklahoma City Thunder (12.6%): Caruso should benefit from the absences of Williams and Isaiah Joe, as he should see additional minutes and field goal attempts Tuesday night. A versatile two-way player, Caruso’s fantasy value comes from consistent contributions in every major category, and he had a strong postseason, averaging 9.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 2.0 SPG.
Moody’s bets for Tuesday
Amen Thompson OVER 6.5 rebounds (-150) 
: Thompson broke out for the Rockets last season and earned a spot in Houston’s starting lineup. In 42 games as a starter, he averaged 9.2 rebounds per game. While the Thunder were exceptional defensively last year, leading the league in defensive rating during the regular season and playoffs, their style forces opponents into tough shots, creating extra rebound chances for the guards and wings. Thompson cleared that line in three of four games against the Thunder last season and in 15 of 18 games without Fred VanVleet, who is out this season with a torn ACL.
Kevin Durant OVER 3.5 assists (-145) : Even against an elite Thunder defense, that number seems low. With VanVleet out, Durant will take on a more prominent playmaking role for Houston. He averaged 4.2 assists last season (4.4 APG for his career) with the Phoenix Suns, clearing that line in 58% of games. The Thunder allowed the fourth-fewest assists per game last year, but Durant remains the Rockets’ most reliable shot creator and should start much of the offense on Tuesday.
Austin grabs MORE than 10.5 rebounds + assists (even) : Reaves exceeded that line in 45 percent of his 78 games last season. He averaged 8.9 rebound chances and 10.5 potential assists per game during that stretch. Reaves also crossed that mark in two of four matchups against the Warriors. With Lebron sidelined, Reaves is getting more playing opportunities. He exceeded that line in four of five games last season with Doncic in the lineup and James out, averaging 12.6 rebound chances and 10.6 potential assists in those contests.
Luka Doncic OVER 47.5 points, rebounds and assists (-114) : Doncic enters the season in excellent shape after an offseason focused on conditioning. With LeBron out, Doncic will be asked to carry the offensive load for the Lakers, which suits the star just fine. Doncic averaged 30.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG and 8.8 APG in five games without James last season, and he should take on an even bigger scoring role against the Warriors given the lack of offensive support around him.
Injury Projections and Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Double: Rockets +6.5 (-105) | Thunder -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets +220 | Thunder -270
Total: 227.5 (-105 W, -115 U)
CPI projection: Thunder 4.3, up 62%, 222.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Jae’Sean Tate, (GTD – Ankle)
Thunder: Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee); Ajay Mitchell, (GTD – Stage); Branden Carlson, (GTD – calf); Chet Holmgren, (GTD – Shoulder); Isaiah Joe, (GTD – Knee); Jalen Williams, (GTD – Wrist); Kenrich Williams, (OUT – Knee); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin)
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m. ET on NBC
Double: Warriors -2.5 (-115) | Lakers +2.5 (-105)
Money line: Warriors -145 | Lakers +125
Total: 226.5 (-105 W, -115 U)
CPI projection: Lakers by 0.9, up 53%, 222.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Alex Toohey, (GTD – Undisclosed); Jimmy Butler III, (GTD – Ankle); Moses Moody, (GTD – calf); De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Knee)
Lakers: Adou Thiero, (GTD – Knee); Maxi Kleber, (GTD – Quadriceps); LeBron James, (OUT – Pinched nerve)
