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What you need to know for Sunday's games
Today's five-game slate is a welcome return to Sunday hoops action after the NBA took off the last two week-enders.
Injuries are stacking up across the league and Bradley Beal is the latest headline-maker, ruled out for several weeks after injuring his right ankle on Friday. Evan Mobley (knee) and Darius Garland (jaw) are also set to miss a lot of time for the Cavaliers.
Today's action starts at 3 p.m. with the 19-5 Celtics hosting the surprising 16-8 Magic in Boston. The sneaky Magic are led by Franz Wagner's 20.5 PPG with Paolo Banchero right behind him, scoring 20.4 points a night. Point guard Markelle Fultz is nearing a return from a knee injury but it doesn't sound like it will happen today, meaning Cole Anthony should still be in the spotlight for the Magic. The Celtics are healthy and, as the leaders of the East, may treat this as a statement game.
The 15-11 Pelicans will try to stop the 4-20 Spurs from winning their second straight game. Victor Wembanyama is averaging 19.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks for the season. The Pelicans are led by Brandon Ingram's 23.0 points per game with Zion Williamson just behind him at 22.8 ppg. The duo's ability to stay healthy this season has made the Pelicans a contender in the West.
Elsewhere, Houston takes their five-game winning streak to Milwaukee, the Wizards are in Phoenix and the Warriors, fresh off more Stephen Curry heroics on Saturday, visit the Blazers in the later portion of the schedule.
Sunday's Stream Team
This segment nominates three key streaming options ahead of that day's action. A streamer, by our standards, is a player available in at least half of ESPN men's basketball leagues.
Cole Anthony, PG, Magic (rostered in 37.6% of ESPN leagues): Fultz (knee) is doubtful and Jalen Suggs (ankle) is questionable after missing Saturday's practice. If they're both out, Anthony could have a field day on Sunday. He's scored at least 16 points in four of his last five games but is averaging just 3.2 assists and 0.7 steals this month. He had 17 points and four assists when these two teams met on Friday for Boston's 128-111 win. Anthony Black (1.8% rostered) has been starting at the point for the Magic and is also worth a look after he had 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists in Friday's loss.
Brandin Podziemski, SG, Warriors (8.0% rostered): Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely and Podziemski looks like the big winner in his absence. Podziemski went off for 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and four 3-pointers on 7-of-15 shooting in 32 minutes on Saturday. While he had a four-point dud against the Clippers on Thursday, he did rack up 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against the Suns on Tuesday. Jonathan Kuminga and Dario Saric are also going to benefit from the absence of Green, but Podziemski is hot and is the player with the most upside.
Tari Eason, SF, Rockets (10.3%): Eason has scored in double figures in three straight games and has had at least one steal, one block and one 3-pointer in both of his last two. Over the three-game stretch Eason has averaged 18.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.0 3-pointers in nearly 26 minutes per game and the Rockets have to think about keeping his hot hand involved in the offense. Dillon Brooks blew up for 26 points on Friday, but he was extra-motivated playing against his former team (Memphis).
Eric Gordon, SG/SF, Suns (15.5%): Gordon has been out due to a lower leg injury but is expected to play tonight. It will be his first action since Dec. 12 and, while he's struggled in two of his last three games, he should see a big role tonight with Beal again out of action. Gordon has averaged 14.2 points, 1.0 steals and 2.7 3-pointers on the season and is worth a look tonight, along with Grayson Allen (6.8%). Allen has averaged 17.0 points, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.0 3-pointers over his last two games.
Malaki Branham, SG, Spurs (1.0%): Branham is quietly performing in the Spurs starting lineup and has scored in double figures in four straight games. He has averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 triples over that stretch and is worth a plug-and-play look in deeper leagues.
Projections and Injury Reports
Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics.* Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
3 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (GTD - Undisclosed); Joe Ingles, (GTD - Ankle); Markelle Fultz, (GTD - Knee); Wendell Carter Jr., (OUT - Finger)
Celtics: Dalano Banton, (GTD - Illness); Luke Kornet, (OUT - Thigh)
Magic projections:
Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF: 37.1 FPTS (21.2 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.8 ast)
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 36.2 FPTS (22.3 pts, 6.4 reb, 4.4 ast)
Cole Anthony, PG: 22.0 FPTS (12.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.7 ast)
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 21.4 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.4 ast)
Goga Bitadze, C: 20.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.7 blk)
Moritz Wagner, PF/C: 19.1 FPTS (10.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Gary Harris, SG: 14.7 FPTS (6.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 46.6 FPTS (27.2 pts, 8.1 reb, 4.7 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 36.2 FPTS (21.5 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 32.2 FPTS (13.9 pts, 6.8 reb, 4.9 ast)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 29.9 FPTS (13.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 26.1 FPTS (14.6 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.3 blk)
Al Horford, PF/C: 16.2 FPTS (4.7 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.9 ast)
Sam Hauser, SF: 12.7 FPTS (5.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.0 ast)
New Orleans Pelicans at San Antonio Spurs
3:30 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Pelicans in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Matt Ryan, (OUT - Elbow); Dereon Seabron, (GTD - Undisclosed); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT - Ribs)
Spurs: Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee); Tre Jones, (GTD - Illness); Zach Collins, (GTD - Knee)
Pelicans projections:
Brandon Ingram, SF/PF: 43.2 FPTS (25.5 pts, 4.8 reb, 5.2 ast)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 38.7 FPTS (19.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.9 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Zion Williamson, PF: 37.1 FPTS (22.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.8 ast)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 30.9 FPTS (14.3 pts, 10.1 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.4 blk)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 22.9 FPTS (9.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.7 ast)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 16.5 FPTS (7.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Naji Marshall, SF: 16.0 FPTS (6.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.0 ast)
Spurs projections:
Keldon Johnson, SF: 34.6 FPTS (17.3 pts, 6.3 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 28.0 FPTS (16.5 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 21.6 FPTS (11.5 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.6 ast)
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 21.0 FPTS (12.3 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.2 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 19.8 FPTS (10.9 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.7 ast)
Malaki Branham, SG: 17.4 FPTS (10.0 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.9 ast)
Tre Jones, PG: 16.9 FPTS (6.4 pts, 2.3 reb, 4.0 ast)
Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks
7 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
BPI Projection: Bucks in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Amen Thompson, (GTD - Illness); Jae'Sean Tate, (GTD - Illness); Victor Oladipo, (GTD - Knee)
Bucks: Jae Crowder, (OUT - Groin); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Rest); Malik Beasley, (GTD - Illness)
Rockets projections:
Alperen Sengun, C: 41.2 FPTS (21.5 pts, 10.2 reb, 5.3 ast)
Fred VanVleet, PG: 37.1 FPTS (16.3 pts, 4.4 reb, 7.1 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 29.8 FPTS (13.8 pts, 9.9 reb, 2.0 ast)
Jalen Green, SG: 28.0 FPTS (18.0 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 23.8 FPTS (15.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Tari Eason, SF: 22.1 FPTS (10.6 pts, 8.2 reb, 1.3 ast)
Aaron Holiday, PG: 12.7 FPTS (5.2 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.7 ast)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 51.2 FPTS (30.4 pts, 11.3 reb, 5.5 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 45.0 FPTS (25.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 7.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Brook Lopez, C: 25.3 FPTS (13.0 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.8 3PM, 2.7 blk)
Khris Middleton, SF: 23.7 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.3 ast)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 19.2 FPTS (9.9 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.1 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 17.7 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Pat Connaughton, SG/SF: 12.7 FPTS (4.7 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.5 ast)
Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
BPI Projection: Suns in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Delon Wright, (OUT - Knee); Johnny Davis, (OUT - Calf); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Ribs)
Suns: Bradley Beal, (OUT - Ankle); Eric Gordon, (GTD - Lower Leg); Nassir Little, (GTD - Knee); Josh Okogie, (OUT - Hip); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Wizards projections:
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 37.9 FPTS (20.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 26.2 FPTS (10.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.5 ast)
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 25.6 FPTS (14.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 24.0 FPTS (10.2 pts, 8.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.9 blk)
Tyus Jones, PG: 23.9 FPTS (9.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.7 ast)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 20.1 FPTS (10.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 16.5 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.2 ast)
Suns projections:
Devin Booker, PG/SG/PF: 49.4 FPTS (29.1 pts, 5.7 reb, 7.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 47.2 FPTS (30.5 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.7 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 30.6 FPTS (13.1 pts, 10.7 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.5 blk)
Grayson Allen, SG: 24.1 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 21.6 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 17.5 FPTS (8.1 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.1 ast)
Nassir Little, SF/PF: 11.5 FPTS (5.7 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.7 ast)
Golden State Warriors at Portland Trail Blazers
9 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
BPI Projection: Warriors in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Draymond Green, (OUT - Suspension); Gary Payton II, (OUT - Calf)
Blazers: Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 45.7 FPTS (26.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 4.6 3PM)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 25.5 FPTS (14.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Dario Saric, PF: 22.4 FPTS (10.3 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.3 ast)
Chris Paul, PG: 21.1 FPTS (6.4 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.7 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 19.3 FPTS (12.4 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.0 ast)
Brandin Podziemski, SG: 18.6 FPTS (10.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.2 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 17.5 FPTS (11.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Blazers projections:
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 39.8 FPTS (24.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 4.8 ast, 3.4 3PM)
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF: 36.4 FPTS (20.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jerami Grant, PF: 33.7 FPTS (22.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Deandre Ayton, C: 28.5 FPTS (12.9 pts, 10.0 reb, 1.6 ast)
Toumani Camara, PF: 20.8 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 19.3 FPTS (9.0 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.2 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 16.7 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.1 ast)