ESPN's fantasy basketball and basketball betting tips cheat sheet is your pregame destination for basketball betting predictions and our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds for November 30 are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.
What you need to know for Wednesday's games
City of ... Overs?: The Blazers are on a back-to-back and will be playing in their sixth different city over a 10-day stretch. Oh, and they are missing Damian Lillard, thus putting more usage in the hands of those not as accustomed to it. That's a tough set of circumstances as they face a Lakers team that is reasonably healthy and is in a decent rest spot (their last road game was Saturday, they had last night off and have tomorrow off). If you're backing the Lake Show, it's worth noting that overs are 5-2 when the Lakers cover this season.
Blazing Value: Speaking of Portland, Justise Winslow has been busy with Lillard sidelined. Earning more touches and time on the floor with his superstar teammate sidelined, during the last five games Winslow ranks third on the Trail Blazers in both potential rebounds (12.4) and potential assists (7.4) per game. He's been particularly productive this past week in producing 10.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 4.0 APG during his last three outings. Winslow is a free agent in 96% of ESPN leagues and is reasonably priced on DraftKings at just $4,600 ahead of tonight's tilt with a Lakers team allowing 45.7 DraftKings points per game to small forwards, fifth-most in the league.
Magic Backcourt: The Orlando Magic have been hit by a wave of injuries to the backcourt this season, so it's quite encouraging to note that neither Cole Anthony or Markelle Fultz appears on the injury report ahead of tonight's tilt with the Hawks. Both are widely available in ESPN leagues ahead of the game, with Anthony more likely to handle a full workload tonight, while Fultz could have stronger long-term value given potential to ascend as the team's top passer and point-of-attack defender.
Bench Battle: With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George ailing, the Clippers are getting great production from scoring guard Norman Powell (76% available), who poured in a season-high 32 points in last night's win over Portland and has now averaged 22.5 points and 3.2 3PG during his last six games. Powell should be busy again tonight against the Jazz. For Utah, Malik Beasley (52% available) has similarly been a microwave off the pine, as he's averaged an awesome 4.3 3PG thanks to taking 11.1 3-pointers per game during his last seven appearances.
Waiver Warriors: It can help to consider some of the stronger streaming options ahead of Wednesday's rich 13-game slate. The Sixers, for instance, will still be relying on Shake Milton (77% available in ESPN leagues) and De'Anthony Melton (68%) to provide major perimeter scoring, creation, and backcourt defense against the Cavaliers tonight. For Brooklyn, the absence of Ben Simmons due to a knee ailment means Royce O'Neale (60%) could see his assist rate leap, something to note for passing props. Denver's Bruce Brown (80%), meanwhile, has been productive while averaging nearly 40 minutes this past week with Michael Porter Jr. sidelined.
Fear The Deer: The schedules align to back the Bucks tonight at The Garden. New York is coming off of an impressive 140-point effort against the Pistons, a result that seems to have impacted this spread. The Knicks had a back-to-back prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and tonight will be their fourth game seven days since. Milwaukee is rested after consecutive off days and seven of their eight November wins have come by at least eight points. #BackTheBucks
-- Jim McCormick and Kyle Soppe
Game of the night
Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m ET, TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Line: Celtics (-9)
Money line: Celtics (-430), Heat (+328)
Total: 224.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 223.3 points
BPI Win%: Celtics (86.6%)
Questionable: Jaylen Brown, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Dewayne Dedmon, Max Strus
Ruled Out: Jimmy Butler
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Breaking down the rest of the slate
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m. ET, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Line: Cavaliers (-3.5)
Money line: Cavaliers (-170), 76ers (+143)
Total: 211.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 224.4 points
BPI Win%: Cavaliers (52.3%)
Questionable: Lamar Stevens
Ruled Out: Jarrett Allen, Kevin Love, Tyrese Maxey, James Harden
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Shake Milton (available in 77.2% of leagues) stayed hot even with Joel Embiid returning on Monday, scoring 21 points with 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 3-pointer in 40 minutes of a win over the Hawks. De'Anthony Melton (available in 67.8% of leagues) had his third straight off scoring game on Monday, but still notched 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 3-pointers and 2 rebounds in his 32 minutes of action. His all-around game keeps him fantasy-worthy, even when his scoring dips. -- André Snellings
Best bet: 76ers +3.5. Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love have already been ruled out for Wednesday's game, which bodes well for the Philadelphia team with Joel Embiid. The 76ers should have a lot of success offensively in this matchup and keep this game close. Philadelphia is 9-3 against the spread when they score 107.0 or more points. Over the last five games, the 76ers have averaged 112.0 points per game. -- Moody
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET, Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Line: Hawks (-6)
Money line: Hawks (-225), Magic (+185)
Total: 227.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 227.4 points
BPI Win%: Hawks (74.3%)
Questionable: Mo Bamba
Ruled Out: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Jalen Suggs, Chuma Okeke, Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Best bet: Paolo Banchero over 20.5 points. The Hawks don't defend the frontcourt well. They rank in the bottom-third in the NBA in points allowed to each of opposing small forwards, power forwards and centers. Banchero took a couple of games after his return from injury, but finally broke the 20-point barrier in his third game back with 24 points on Monday. Banchero had been reaching another gear as a scorer before the injury, averaging 28.3 PPG while going over 20.5 in all three of his final games pre-injury. Wednesday's matchup with the Hawks is another opportunity for him to re-reach that level. -- Snellings
Best bet: Trae Young over 36.5 points + assists. Young has exceeded 36.5 points + assists in three out of his last four games and has a favorable matchup against the Magic, who have allowed point guards to flourish. The Magic rank 23rd in points allowed per 100 possessions. -- Moody
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Line: Nets (-5)
Money line: Nets (-210), Wizards (+175)
Total: 227.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 231 points
BPI Win%: Nets (60.1%)
Questionable: David Duke Jr.
Ruled Out: Yuta Watanabe, Ben Simmons, Rui Hachimura
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Best bet: Wizards +6.0. The Wizards have a slightly better record this season, with a slightly better scoring differential than the Nets. The Nets blitzed them by 42 points in their last matchup, but that should probably come with a bit of an asterisk. That was the first game the Nets played in which both Steve Nash had been fired and Kyrie Irving had been suspended, and the combination of events seemed to spur them to their best performance of the season. All things being equal, these teams seem to be about equal. But, after the way they got smashed last time, the Wizards may have a bit more motivation this time around. I'll take them with the points. -- Snellings
Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET, Madison Square Garden, New York
Line: Bucks (-6)
Money line: Bucks (-225), Knicks (+185)
Total: 227.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 232.2 points
BPI Win%: Bucks (59.7%)
Ruled Out: Serge Ibaka, Khris Middleton
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Best bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo over 47.5 points + assists + rebounds. Antetokounmpo has exceeded 47.5 PAR in three out of his last four games. He's averaged 32.7 MPG and leads the league with a usage rate of 39.7%. Antetokounmpo should have a huge game against a Knicks team that ranks 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions. -- Moody
Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Line: Grizzlies (-2.5)
Money line: Grizzlies (-130), Timberwolves (-210)
Total: 231.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 237 points
BPI Win%: Grizzlies (57%)
Doubtful: Jake LaRavia
Questionable: Dillon Brooks
Ruled Out: Karl-Anthony Towns, Desmond Bane, Jordan McLaughlin, Jaden McDaniels, Taurean Prince
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Kyle Anderson (available in 95.5% of leagues) and Naz Reid (available in 99.4% of leagues) are both likely to see larger roles with Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) out. Anderson is a glue guy, for both the Timberwolves and fantasy teams, so I'm not expecting a big uptick in points. But he could get an uptick in minutes, which will let all of his all-around contributions increase. Reid has played well every time I've seen him get minutes, and his per-minute numbers bear that out. This season, he's averaging 21.3 points per 36 minutes, 7.1 RP36, 2.0 3P36 and 1.5 P36. He won't get that kind of run, but 20-24 minutes could be in play, and adjusting the minutes accordingly still yields fantasy worthy estimates for Reid. -- Snellings
Best bet: Rudy Gobert over 14.5 points. Gobert had already been aggressive as a score of late, with three efforts of at least 17 points scored in his last four games. Earlier in November, he had a four-game stretch in which he scored at least 15 points in four straight. In addition, with Karl-Anthony Towns out (calf), the Timberwolves will be looking to him even more to contribute frontcourt scoring. -- Snellings
Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET, Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Line: Raptors (-1)
Money line: Raptors (-115), Pelicans (-105)
Total: 222.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 223.8 points
BPI Win%: Pelicans (52.3%)
Questionable: CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall
Ruled Out: Otto Porter Jr., Brandon Ingram
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Line: Thunder (-5)
Money line: Thunder (-195), Spurs (+162)
Total: 232 points
BPI Projected Total: 231.4 points
BPI Win%: Thunder (63.3%)
Questionable: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Romeo Langford
Ruled Out: Mike Muscala, Jeremy Sochan, Jakob Poeltl, Josh Richardson
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Tre Mann (rostered in 1.8% of ESPN leagues) could see a significant increase in usage with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander questionable with a left hip contusion. He averages 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per 40 minutes. -- Moody
Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET, Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Line: Nuggets (-11.5)
Money line: Nuggets (-700), Rockets (+500)
Total: 231.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 235.4 points
BPI Win%: Nuggets (82.9%)
Questionable: Zeke Nnaji, Bones Hyland
Ruled Out: Michael Porter Jr., Jae'Sean Tate
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Ish Smith (rostered in 0.1% of ESPN leagues) should see a ton of minutes with Bones Hyland listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness. The Nuggets' last game saw him play 26 minutes, scoring 38 fantasy points. With Hyland unlikely to play, Smith is worth considering in deeper leagues. -Eric Moody
Best bet: Jamal Murray over 28.5 points + assists + rebounds. Murray has exceeded 28.5 PAR in two consecutive games. In 29.6 minutes per game, he averages 17.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. In a second straight game against the Rockets, Murray is positioned for success. Houston ranks 27th in points allowed per 100 possessions. -- Moody
Chicago Bulls at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Line: Suns (-5.5)
Money line: Suns (-225), Bulls (+185)
Total: 228 points
BPI Projected Total: 233.9 points
BPI Win%: Suns (69.5%)
Questionable: Alex Caruso, Goran Dragic, Ayo Dosunmu, Derrick Jones Jr.
Ruled Out: Chris Paul
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
LA Clippers at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Line: Jazz (-7.5)
Money line: Jazz (-305), Clippers (+240)
Total: 225 points
BPI Projected Total: 229.5 points
BPI Win%: Jazz (72.8%)
Ruled Out: Kawhi Leonard, John Wall, Paul George, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Line: Kings (-4.5)
Money line: Kings (-190), Pacers (+158)
Total: 242.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 239.8 points
BPI Win%: Kings (63.8%)
Doubtful: Trey Lyles
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Best bet: Kevin Huerter over 15.5 points. This season, Huerter has averaged 16.1 points per game while shooting a career-high 48.8% from the field. With the Pacers playing at the fifth-fastest pace in the league, Huerter should thrive at home. -- Moody
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Line: Lakers (-5.5)
Money line: Lakers (-225), Blazers (+185)
Total: 224 points
BPI Projected Total: 230.7 points
BPI Win%: Lakers (65.7%)
Questionable: Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Nassir Little
Ruled Out: Damian Lillard
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are ruled out but assumes questionable players will play