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.
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 the schedule. Of those games, three pit two teams with winning records against each other.
The Houston Rockets, currently the third seed in the West, face the second seed in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This game pits two deep teams, each led by scorching scorers like 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 doubts he will play, likely missing his fifth straight game against a Raptors team vying for its fifth straight victory.
And in Florida, the 8-6 Miami Heat welcomes the 9-7 Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are in the second half of a back-to-back in Florida after losing to the Orlando Magic last night, and Stephen Curry is questionable to play tonight due to an ankle issue.
These storylines, along with many others, will be exposed Wednesday evening. As we always do, let’s dig deeper to identify some fantastic streamers and interesting betting angles this Hump Day.
Wednesday Fantasy Stream Team
Dennis Schroder, PG, Sacramento Kings (rostered in 41.2% of ESPN leagues): Schroder has returned to the sixth man role in his last two games, and that seems to have revived his game after a slump week. During that span, Schroder averaged 18.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG and 3.5 3PG in 31.5 MPG coming off the bench.
Moussa Diabaté, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets (24.0% of roster): Diabaté is still a threat to get a double-double, even if he comes off the bench. He’s averaged 10.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 1.5 BPG over his last four outings, with two double-doubles in that span. On Wednesday, he will face a Pacers team that ranks among the bottom 10 in the NBA in points and rebounds allowed to opposing centers. In fact, Hornets starting center Ryan Kalkbrenner (34.8 percent of players) also makes for a good streamer on Wednesday.
Davion Mitchell, PG, Miami Heat (45.5%): Mitchell is coming off a season-high 18 points on Monday. He’s been upping his scoring lately, scoring in 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.
André Drummond, C, Philadelphia 76ers (17.1%): When Embiid sits, Drummond is plug-and-play for all plays. Embiid is doubtful, so Drummond is in line to pull off another monster double-double. Over the last four games, in which Embiid has appeared, Drummond has averaged 14.3 PPG and 13.5 RPG with double-doubles in all four.
Dre’s bets for Wednesday
Oklahoma City Thunder -18.5 (-110) vs. Sacramento Kings
This is an incredibly large gap, but I’m not sure it’s high enough. It’s a perfect storm. The Thunder have won six straight games, all by double digits, with an average winning margin of 21.3 PPG. The Kings, meanwhile, have lost six games in a row, all by double digits, with an average margin of defeat of 22.0 PPG. One of each team’s last six games was against the other. In this game, the Thunder took the road to Sacramento and beat the Kings by 31 points.
Andre Drummond OVER 24.5 points and total rebounds (-115)
Drummond’s season averages are lower due to games where Embiid is available. But when Embiid is out, Drummond is elite. In each of the last five games Embiid has appeared in, 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 producing points and rebounds when he gets starting minutes.
Donovan Mitchell OVER 28.5 total points (-115)
Mitchell has scored 30 points or more in each of his last three games since his last game a week ago against the Heat. He has scored 29 or more in six of his last eight outings, dating back to his previous absence. Darius Garland is still sidelined while recovering from an injury, and Mitchell has taken over. The Cavaliers will need his offense on Wednesday to be competitive against an excellent Rockets team.
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 their last four games. With Curry and Jonathan Kuminga both questionable, Butler might be able to carry a bigger load on Wednesday. Additionally, Butler will return to Miami to face the team that traded him last season, and the Heat do not defend opposing small forwards well, ranking 24th in points allowed at the position.
Shaedon Sharpe OVER 25.5 points (-125)
Sharpe has been in the area for over a week now. Over his last five games, he has averaged 30.0 PPG while scoring at least 29 points in four of them. He’s in the second half of a back-to-back game, but he dropped 29 points last night in just 30 minutes of play, so he shouldn’t be exhausted. Sharpe also started at point guard Tuesday in place of Jrue Holiday (questionable, calf). If he starts again on point Wednesday, that could be an advantage against a Bulls team that ranks 23rd in the NBA in points allowed to opposing point guards.
Injury Projections and Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m. ET
Double: Rockets -1.5 (-105) | Knights +1.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -125 | Riders +105
Total: 233.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
CPI projection: Cavaliers by 0.4, directly up 51%, 239.5 points in total.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Jabari Smith Jr., (GTD – Knee); Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT – Ankle); Tari Eason, (OUT – Hip)
Riders: Sam Merrill, (GTD – Main); Darius Garland, (OUT – Toe); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT – Concussion); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
Charlotte Hornets vs. Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Double: Hornets -1.5 (-110) | Pacers +1.5 (-110)
Money line: Hornets -130 | Pacers +110
Total: 237.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
CPI projection: Hornets 0.6, up 52% directly, 234.8 points total.
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 – Return); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Knee)
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Double: Raptors -1.5 (-115) | 76ers +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors -130 | 76ers +110
Total: 234.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
CPI projection: 76ers by 1.5, up 54%, 235.2 points total.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles, (GTD – Knee); Ochai Agbaji, (GTD – Return)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Knee); Paul George, (OUT – Knee); Adem Bona, (OUT – Ankle)
Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Double: Warriors +6.5 (-110) | Heat -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Warriors +175 | Heat -210
Total: 234.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
CPI projection: Heat by 2, up 56% directly, 238.2 points in total.
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 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET
Double: Wizards +16.5 (-110) | Timber Wolves -16.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +900 | Timber wolves -1800
Total: 237.5 (-115 W, -105 U)
CPI projection: Timberwolves 16.6, up 90%, 239.1 points total.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Toe)
Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels, (GTD – Wrist); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot)
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET
Double: Nuggets -14.5 (-110) | Pelicans +14.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets -1200 | Pelicans +700
Total: 234.5 (-115 W, -105 U)
CPI projection: Nuggets 13.1, up 84% directly, 236.5 points total.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Christian Braun, (OUT – Ankle); Julian Strawther, (OUT – Return)
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles); Saddiq Bey, (GTD – Ankle); Zion Williamson, (GTD – hamstring); Jordan Poole, (OUT – Quadriceps); Karlo Matkovic, (OUT – Calf)
Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Double: Kings +18.5 (-110) | Thunder -18.5 (-110)
Money line: Kings +1100 | Thunder -2500
Total: 232.5 (-105 W, -115 U)
CPI projection: Thunder 19.1, up 93%, 232.4 points in total.
Injury Report:
Kings: Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Thumb)
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT – Aine); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Wiggins, (OUT – Thigh); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Wrist); Kenrich Williams, (OUT – Knee)
New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks
9:30 p.m. ET
Double: Knicks -5.5 (-110) | Mavericks +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Knicks -225 | Nonconformists +190
Total: 230.5 (-115 W, -105 U)
CPI projection: Knicks by 8.1, up 73%, 230.7 points total.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, (GTD – Ankle); Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT – Return); OG Anunoby, (OUT – Hamstring)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Ankle); Derek Lively II, (GTD – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OUT – calf); Dante Exum, (OUT – Knee)
Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Double: Bulls -3.5 (-105) | Blazers +3.5 (-115)
Money line: Bulls -145 | Jacket +125
Total: 244.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
CPI projection: Bulls 0.1, up 50%, 246.0 points total.
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)
