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Jim McCormick
ESPN’s fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before setting your lineup for that night’s game. Here you’ll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as a game-by-game injury report.
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Top Streamers | Best Bets Handicap and Injury Report
What you need to know for Sunday’s games
The NBA offers a series of interesting contests on this last day of November. Even nearly a quarter of the way through the marathon regular season, we’re still learning about plans, teams, rotations, and players with each new box score.
Today’s three games have the potential to be blowouts, as evidenced by the double-digit spreads. With pace and scoring around the league, a total score below 230 often indicates a sub-optimal offensive environment. A major positive from Sunday’s event is that all eight games boast a combined total of at least 230 points.
Many matchups appear to invite fantasy production and prop plays, such as the Toronto Raptors visiting the New York Knicks. The Knicks are healthy home favorites, even though the Raptors enter ahead of them in the standings. This should be a revealing meeting of the eastern claimants.
On the East Coast, the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Atlanta Hawks in a close spread and encouraging total points. The 76ers are still without Joel Embiid, while the Hawks will be without Trae Young. With two high-usage offensive engines sidelined, each rotation becomes more interesting for fantasy purposes.
With an eye on finding productive fantasy streamers and betting angles of interest, let’s take a look at what’s to come in the NBA.
sunday fantasy stream team
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (in 24.7% of ESPN leagues): opportunity Knocks. The Villanova product has become a key starter and primary perimeter scorer for the Pelicans, sidelining Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III. Getting about 40 minutes of exposure most nights, Bey has averaged a double-double last week for a team that needs to work on its scoring and on the glass. The Los Angeles Lakers may struggle against big wings like Bey, and heavy usage should be present given the injuries surrounding him in the rotation.
Jared McCann, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (19.1% roster): The brilliant start to his career was halted last time due to a knee injury. Now back in the rotation and finally looking like himself in recent games, McCann’s scoring and steal production demands more attention from fantasy managers. With Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and Kelly Olynyk sidelined, McCain has some minutes and touches to consume. Even if Edgecombe returns to the rotation, McCann’s shot regimen should hold up given his recent success. For those who need a right start at center back, Edem Bona is in position to perform well.
Jaylen Wells, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (5.5%): The Grizzlies are missing much of their starting backcourt due to injuries. With such a void, Wells has been asked to step up as an attacking creator. Results have not been stable, but progress has been made in recent games. With the minutes, touch and talent to deliver a fun fantasy line against the Kings, Wells is ready to help fantasy teams in need in the backcourt.
Neemias Queta, C, Boston Celtics (25.0%): The Celtics entered the season with no recognizable frontcourt. This is especially true with respect to the center position. Quetta has taken the opportunity as a challenge and has become a better rebounder and rim protector in a short time. Fresh off a career game, Quetta could again face a Cavaliers team without Jarrett Allen.
McCormick’s bet for Sunday
Nemeas Quetta returns over 8.5 (-130)
The juice here isn’t ideal, although the chance rates suggest it’s still a solid game. That is to say, even at a more expensive price, the offer seems reasonable given Cueta’s mix of minutes, rebounding opportunities and the benefit of not having to face Allen. Boston’s confidence in Quetta appears to be enduring and more noticeable.
Dylan Harper assists over 2.5 (-150)
Once again, the willingness to pay the price for this bet is fueled by Harper’s mix of minutes and opportunity rates. He will be good with the ball in his hands this evening against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Minnesota is having problems at the point of attack on defense. Harper’s on-ball usage combined with his passing ability has made this a game I’m following.
Russell Westbrook rebounded over 7.5 (-120)
Occupying Westbrook Counting State in 2025 is a way of life. But in fact, this box score legend has advanced rebounding rates to support this game. The absence of Domantas Sabonis is huge, as his nearly 20 rebounding chances per game are not in the rotation. The Timberwolves now rank 15th in rebounding percentage, which suggests Westbrook will have the opportunity to take off and clean up some loose looks.
Estimates and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury Aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN Bet
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
3 PM ET
Line: Rocket -11.5 (-120) | Jazz +11.5 (even)
money line: Rockets-700 jazz +450
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Rockets from 15.4, up 88% straight, 238.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (out – knee); Steven Adams, (GTD – Ankle); Dorian Finney-Smith, (out – ankle); Terry Eason, (out – oblique)
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder); Keyontae George, (GTD – illness); Kevin Love, (out – rest); Oscar Tshibwe, (out – illness); Georges Niang, (out – foot)
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
6pm ET
Line: Celtics +6.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)
money line: Celtics +220 | Cavaliers-270
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Cavaliers up 4.8, straight up 65%, 230.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (out – Achilles)
Cavaliers: Craig Porter Jr., (GTD – hamstring); Jarrett Allen, (out – finger); Larry Nance Jr., (out – calf); Lonzo Ball, (out – knee); Max Strus, (outside – foot); Sam Merrill, (outside – hand)
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks
6pm ET
Line: Raptors +7.5 (-110) | Knicks -7.5 (-110)
money line: Raptors +240 | nix-290
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Knicks by 6, up 68% straight, 231.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: RJ Barrett, (out – knee)
Knicks: Kevin McCullers Jr., (GTD – groin); OG Anunoby, (out – hamstring); Landry Shamet, (outside – shoulder)
Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers
6pm ET
Line: Hawks +1.5 (-120) | 76ers -1.5 (even)
money line: Hawks-105 | 76ers -115
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: 76ers from 0, straight up 50%, 238.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis, (out – illness); N’Fali Dante, (out – knee); Trae Young, (out – knee)
76ers: Andre Drummond, (GTD – knee); VJ Edgecombe, (GTD – calf); Joel Embiid, (out – knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (out – knee); Trendon Watford, (outside-thigh)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers
6pm ET
Line: Thunder -11.5 (-110) | Blazers +11.5 (-110)
money line: Thunder-700 | Blazers +450
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Thunder from 11.6, straight up 81%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (out – groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (out – calf)
Blazers: Blake Wesley, (out – ft); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles); Donovan Klingon, (GTD – Disease); Matisse Thybulle, (outside – thumb); Junior Holiday, (outside-calf); Scooter Henderson, (out – hamstring)
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves
7pm ET
Line: Spurs +3.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-110)
money line: Spurs +135 | Timberwolves-155
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Timberwolves from 3, up 59% straight, 231.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Harrison Ingram, (GTD – unknown); Jordan McLaughlin, (out – hamstring); Stephen Castle, (out – hip); Victor Vembanyama, (outside – calf)
Timberwolves: None reported
Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings
9 PM ET
Line: Grizzlies -2.5 (-120) | Kings +2.5 (even)
money line: Grizzlies -145 | Kings +125
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Grizzlies up 1.9, straight up 56%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Scottie Pippen Jr., (outside – toe); Ty Jerome, (outside – calf); Ja Morant, (outside – calf); Javon Short, (outside-toe); Brandon Clarke, (out – knee)
Kings: Dennis Schroder, (GTD – Hip); Domantas Sabonis, (out – knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 PM ET
Line: Pelicans +14.5 (-115) | Lakers -14.5 (-105)
money line: Pelicans +600 | lakers-1000
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Lakers by 13.5, straight up 85%, 233.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (out – Achilles); Jordan Hawkins, (GTD – illness); Jordan Poole, (GTD – Quadriceps); Karlo Matkovic, (GTD – calf); Trey Murphy III, (GTD – elbow); Herbert Jones, (outside – calf)
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD – ft); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Rear)
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