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 January 20th are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.
What you need to know for Saturday
Surveying the slate: The Celtics and Raptors meet early this evening in a matchup that won't include MVP candidate Jayson Tatum. With his high-usage game off the floor, we can find value in the likes of Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White. It appears the books expects a close contest, as the line is essentially a pick 'em. Looking to the later games, we find the Timberwolves positioned to pounce on a reeling Rockets club. Minnesota is a heavy favorite (-8.5), but consider they rank eighth overall in net rating over the past 10 games with the league's sixth-best offense, suggesting this is still a workable spread for the Wolves.
Slow and steady: The Timberwolves' Kyle Anderson (77% available in ESPN leagues) claims one of the league's better nicknames with his "Slow Mo" moniker. It speaks to his methodical style, but one that is quite effective. After all, Anderson, a popular endorsement in this space over the past week, ranks eighth among small forwards on the Player Rater over the last week thanks to averaging 15.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, eight assists, and 2.3 steals during this sample. The playmaking forward is in an ideal spot tonight facing a porous Houston defense allowing 44 DraftKings points per game to small forwards, the second-highest clip in the league.
Spacing the Suns: With Suns shooting talents Devin Booker, Landry Shamet, and Cameron Johnson all Ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Pacers, it's another spot for Damion Lee (96% available) to play an important role as a scorer and spacer for the Phoenix offense. Found at just $4,800 on DraftKings while projected to produce around 30 fantasy points, Lee could provide real value on Saturday. If Chris Paul were to miss another game, look for Saben Lee (99%) to handle around 30 minutes in an important distribution role.
King Keegan: Sacramento rookie Keegan Murray couldn't miss last night against the Thunder. The Iowa product sank 10 of 12 shots for a wildly efficient career-best 29 points in the victory. A free agent in 40% of ESPN leagues and clearly feeling it from the floor at the moment, Murray is a worthy waiver addition in all formats for tonight's matchup with the visiting 76ers.
-- Jim McCormick & Kyle Soppe
Game of the night
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors
5 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
Line: Raptors (Pick)
Money line: Raptors (-105), Celtics (-115)
Total: 225.5 points
BPI projected total: 226.2 points
BPI win%: Raptors (55.3%)
Ruled out: Jayson Tatum
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Derrick White (rostered in 45.3% of ESPN leagues) is likely to move into the starting lineup with Jayson Tatum out of Saturday's game due to left wrist soreness. When given minutes, he has been productive. White has averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per 40 minutes. -Eric Moody
Fantasy streamer: Al Horford (rostered in 46.8% of ESPN leagues) has played very well over his last four games. Over that time period, he has averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. The Raptors rank 19th in points allowed per 100 possessions and allow opponents an astounding effective field goal percentage of 56.7%, the second highest in the league. -Eric Moody
Fantasy streamer: Kenyon Martin Jr. (rostered in 4.6% of ESPN leagues) continues to start for the Rockets while Kevin Porter is out due to a foot injury. Martin Jr. has scored 26 or more fantasy points in three consecutive games. Porter is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves. -Eric Moody
Best bet: Raptors (-105). This season, the Celtics have looked like a serious title contender. This game, however, could be won by the Raptors with Jayson Tatum Ruled out. With Tatum out, the Celtics are 10-17 all-time without him. The Raptors should deliver a strong performance at home, especially coming off a difficult loss to the Timberwolves. -- Eric Moody
Breaking down the rest of the slate
Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
Line: Cavaliers (-1.5)
Money line: Cavaliers (-125), Bucks (+105)
Total: 221 points
BPI projected total: 226.9 points
BPI win%: Cavaliers (61.1%)
Ruled out: Donovan Mitchell (groin), Serge Ibaka (Personal)
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Pat Connaughton (rostered in 1.6% of ESPN leagues) remains on the streaming radar with Khris Middleton once again Ruled out due to right knee soreness. Currently, Middleton was sent to the Bucks' G League affiliate, but there is no estimated return date. In three consecutive games, Connaughton has scored 20 or more fantasy points.
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET, Capital One Arena, Washington
Line: Wizards (-7)
Money line: Wizards (-285), Magic (+228)
Total: 230.5 points
BPI projected total: 229.4 points
BPI win%: Wizards (70.9%)
Questionable: Jonathan Isaac (knee), Chuma Okeke (Knee)
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Cole Anthony (rostered in 37.3% of ESPN leagues) is an intriguing streamer for managers in points leagues even coming off of the bench. This season, he has averaged 11.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Best bet: Kristaps Porzingis over 33.5 points+assists+rebounds. The Magic rank 16th in points allowed per 100 possessions and rank near the bottom of the league in effective field goal percentage allowed by opponents. During the last 11 games, Porzingis has averaged 21.7 points, 2.3 assists, and 8.7 rebounds. He has the chance to surpass his per game average in this matchup. -- Eric Moody
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET, State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Line: Hawks (-7.5)
Money line: Hawks (-305), Hornets (+240)
Total: 234.5 points
BPI projected total: 240.2 points
BPI win%: Hawks (77.6%)
Questionable: LaMelo Ball (ankle), Gordon Hayward (hamstring), Cody Martin (knee)
Ruled out: Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand)
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Dennis Smith Jr. (rostered in 16.4% of ESPN leagues) is an excellent streamer while LaMelo Ball is unlikely to play against the Hawks due to another ankle injury. This season, Smith averages 12.6 points and 7.6 assists per 40 minutes. Although the Hornets haven't provided an updated timeline for Ball's return, he has previously missed 13 games and 11 games earlier this season with sprains to his left ankle, so it's fair to assume Ball will be out for some time. -- Eric Moody
Fantasy streamer: Onyeka Okongwu (rostered in 19.6% of ESPN leagues) could see additional playing time against the Hornets since Atlanta is playing on the tail end of a back-to-back. Clint Capela might still be on a minutes restriction or even Ruled out. This season, Okongwu averages 15.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per 40 minutes.
Best bet: Terry Rozier over 33.5 points+assists+rebounds. Rozier should play an active role for the Hornets with LaMelo Ball out due to an ankle injury. In games without Ball so far this season, he has averaged 22.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.4 rebounds. Against the Hawks, Rozier should be able to meet or exceed those numbers. -- Eric Moody
Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET, Target Center, Minneapolis
Line: Timberwolves (-8.5)
Money line: Timberwolves (-355), Rockets (+278)
Total: 237 points
BPI projected total: 236.2 points
BPI win%: Timberwolves (76.3%)
Questionable: Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle), Kevin Porter Jr. (foot), Rudy Gobert (groin), Anthony Edwards (hip), Austin Rivers (knee)
Ruled out: Karl-Anthony Towns (calf)
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Kyle Anderson (rostered in 22.7% of ESPN leagues) is surprisingly still available in a high percentage of leagues. Currently, Karl-Anthony Towns does not have a return date for his calf injury. Anderson has scored 50 or more fantasy points in three consecutive games. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: D'Angelo Russell over 27.5 points+assists+rebounds. Russell is in for another big performance on Saturday night against a Rockets team that ranks near the bottom of the league in points allowed per 100 possessions. Over his last eight games, he's averaged 18.9 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 rebounds. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: Jalen Green over 34.5 points+assists+rebounds. With Porter Jr. and Jabari Smith Ruled out for Saturday's game, the Rockets will have to rely heavily on Green. He's been playing well lately, so that's not necessarily a bad thing. In the last four games, Green has averaged 29.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. -- Eric Moody
Indiana Pacers at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix
Line: Suns (-5.5)
Money line: Suns (-225), Pacers (+185)
Total: 229.5 points
BPI projected total: 229.6 points
BPI win%: Suns (65.3%)
Questionable: Chris Paul (hip), Josh Okogie (nose), Daniel Theis (knee) Kendall Brown (leg)
Ruled out: Devin Booker (groin), Jae Crowder (not injury related), Tyrese Haliburton (knee), Landry Shamet (foot)
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: T.J. McConnell (rostered in 20.3% of ESPN leagues) is another player who is surprisingly available in a high percentage of ESPN leagues. McConnell has thrived while Tyrese Haliburton is out with multiple injuries. In four of his last six games, he has scored 40 or more fantasy points. Go pick McConnell up. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: Pacers +5.5. The Pacers match up well against the Suns, especially considering the abundance of injuries Phoenix is dealing with right now. In terms of three-point attempts, Indiana ranks sixth and makes 39.7% of them. It is noteworthy because the Suns struggle to defend beyond the arc. The Pacers are likely to exploit this. Indiana will play well enough to keep this game close or win it outright. So far this season, the Pacers are 26-21 against the spread. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: Mikal Bridges over 26.5 points+assists+rebounds. In the last five games, Bridges has benefited statistically from all the injuries the Suns have suffered. He's averaged 21.2 points, 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Bridges should prosper against a Pacers team that ranks 25th in points allowed per 100 possessions. -- Eric Moody
Philadelphia 76ers at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
Line: 76ers (-2)
Money line: 76ers (-130), Kings (+110)
Total: 235 points
BPI projected total: 236.2 points
BPI win%: 76ers (57.8%)
Questionable: James Harden (foot)
Note: BPI numbers factored in players who are Ruled out but assumes questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: De'Anthony Melton (rostered in 34.5% of ESPN leagues) is once again on the streaming radar with James Harden listed as questionable as the 76ers look to manage his previous foot injury. When Harden missed time earlier this season, Melton demonstrated how capable he can be when given minutes. This season, he averages 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
Best bet: Joel Embiid 48.5 points+assists+rebounds. In a game against the Kings without James Harden, the 76ers will rely heavily on Embiid. The Kings rank 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions. In games without Harden this season, Embiid has averaged 32.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 10.2 rebounds. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: Keegan Murray over 16.5 points+rebounds. Murray had a career-high 29 points and 14 rebounds against the Mavericks on Friday night. He's played 28 or more minutes in three consecutive games. This season, Murray averages 12.1 points and 4.2 rebounds. The 76ers have given up the third most points per game to power forwards. -- Eric Moody