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What you need to know for Tuesday's games
In a bit of irony, the main narratives from Monday's busy schedule featured the debut of Doc Rivers in a loss for the Milwaukee Bucks, and the rousing return of Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets.
Simmons finished two rebounds shy of a triple-double in just 18 minutes in a blowout victory over the Utah Jazz. Simmons' unique ability to create, rebound, and defend surfaced immediately last night and he is still available in over half of ESPN men's basketball leagues as of Tuesday morning,
The Bucks lost to the Denver Nuggets in a close game with playing time distributed in similar fashion to Adrian Griffin's scheme, but we should be patient to see how this coaching shift plays out in regard to opportunities and outcomes. One important factor was the improvement of Milwaukee's defensive rotations.
Tuesday's lighter five-game slate offers some healthy offensive climates. The first two tips of the night claim totals of at least 245 points at ESPN BET. The Indiana Pacers visit the Boston Celtics in a rematch of a compelling in-season tournament battle. Tyrese Haliburton is expected back in the lineup, but we'll still want to pay attention to the playmaking of Andrew Nembhard (9.6% rostered) and the two-way production of former Celtic Aaron Nesmith (11.3%).
The other early game has the Los Angeles Lakers making their annual stop in Georgia to face the Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers were drubbed by the Houston Rockets last night, while the Hawks have an emergent scoring forward we discuss in the streaming section below.
The New York Knicks cruised against the Charlotte Hornets Monday night, with Josh Hart (35.6%) erupting for an awesome line and additional offensive responsibilities in the wake of Julius Randle's shoulder injury. The Knicks host the Jazz Tuesday evening, with Hart positioned as a strong fantasy option once again.
Injuries appear to influence the other two games of the day as the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Golden State Warriors. The availability of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will prove pivotal in that matchup. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors could be without both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley against the Chicago Bulls. We expand on how these potential absences might affect the Raptors' rotation in the stream team section below.
Tuesday'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.
Jonathan Kuminga, SF/PF, Golden State Warriors (37.8% rostered in ESPN leagues)
Kuminga has been a revelation in recent weeks and a rare positive for a struggling Warriors team. The 76ers lack bounce in the frontcourt, especially with Embiid ailing, which signals fantasy upside for Kuminga's energy-driven offensive approach.
Bruce Brown, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (17.6%)
With 18 boards across his past two games, Brown is living up to his reputation as a hustle and grit guy for the Raptors. With Barrett and Quickley listed as out and doubtful for Tuesday night, respectively, it's worth eyeing both Brown and Gary Trent Jr. (13.1%) as viable play-and-play candidates against the Bulls.
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks (23.8%)
Bey is not just a catch-and-shoot threat on offense as he is now adding volume rebounding to his profile. He has averaged 8.2 boards over the past five games and is likely to play a big role against a Bulls team that is thin on wing defense.
Josh Hart, SG/SF, New York Knicks (35.6%)
While Hart scored just eight points in Monday night's win over the Hornets, he tallied 19 combined rebounds and assists and should fill in the gaps for the Knicks on both sides of the court Tuesday evening.
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.
Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, Atlanta
BPI Projection: Hawks in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Cam Reddish, (OUT - Ankle); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee)
Hawks: De'Andre Hunter, (GTD - Knee); Dejounte Murray, (GTD - Hamstring); Bruno Fernando, (OUT - Back); Vit Krejci, (OUT - Shoulder); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT - Back)
Lakers projections:
Anthony Davis, PF/C: 48.4 FPTS (26.0 pts, 11.9 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.2 blk)
LeBron James, SF/PF: 43.9 FPTS (23.4 pts, 6.9 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 35.4 FPTS (19.1 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 31.4 FPTS (15.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.9 ast)
Taurean Prince, SF: 18.9 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
Jarred Vanderbilt, PF: 17.3 FPTS (7.0 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 15.6 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
Hawks projections:
Trae Young, PG: 47.6 FPTS (26.9 pts, 3.0 reb, 9.3 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 35.3 FPTS (19.2 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jalen Johnson, SF/PF: 34.1 FPTS (15.9 pts, 7.8 reb, 3.1 ast)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 26.1 FPTS (13.7 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF: 24.8 FPTS (11.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.3 ast)
Clint Capela, C: 22.1 FPTS (9.9 pts, 9.0 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.4 blk)
Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C: 16.0 FPTS (7.1 pts, 5.4 reb, 0.9 ast)
Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, (GTD - Toe); Jalen Smith, (GTD - Back); Myles Turner, (GTD - Back); Tyrese Haliburton, (GTD - Hamstring)
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Ankle); Luke Kornet, (GTD - Hamstring)
Pacers projections:
Pascal Siakam, PF/C: 39.2 FPTS (22.4 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.5 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 23.2 FPTS (12.8 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.6 blk)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 22.5 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.4 reb, 4.3 ast)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (8.3 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Aaron Nesmith, SF: 20.1 FPTS (10.7 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.0 ast)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 19.6 FPTS (12.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.7 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 19.1 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.5 ast)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 45.6 FPTS (27.1 pts, 7.6 reb, 4.6 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 35.3 FPTS (21.8 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 29.8 FPTS (13.7 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.5 ast)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 27.5 FPTS (13.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 25.9 FPTS (14.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.6 blk)
Al Horford, PF/C: 17.5 FPTS (5.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.0 ast)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 14.9 FPTS (5.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.2 ast)
Utah Jazz at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York
BPI Projection: Knicks in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Jazz: None reported
Knicks: Evan Fournier, (GTD - Personal); OG Anunoby, (GTD - Elbow); Duane Washington Jr., (OUT - Thumb); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle)
Jazz projections:
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF: 40.2 FPTS (23.1 pts, 8.0 reb, 2.2 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 28.1 FPTS (16.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.8 ast)
Jordan Clarkson, SG: 26.1 FPTS (14.7 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.5 ast)
John Collins, PF: 25.6 FPTS (13.9 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.2 ast)
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 19.0 FPTS (9.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.3 ast)
Simone Fontecchio, SF: 16.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.5 ast)
Walker Kessler, C: 15.4 FPTS (7.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.0 ast, 2.0 blk)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG: 44.1 FPTS (26.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.8 3PM)
OG Anunoby, SF: 31.8 FPTS (14.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C: 24.5 FPTS (9.1 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.8 ast)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 21.9 FPTS (9.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C: 20.7 FPTS (10.1 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.4 ast)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 19.1 FPTS (6.9 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.7 ast)
Evan Fournier, SG/SF: 13.5 FPTS (6.0 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.4 ast)
Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. United Center, Chicago
BPI Projection: Bulls in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Immanuel Quickley, (GTD - Quadriceps); Jakob Poeltl, (GTD - Ankle); RJ Barrett, (OUT - Knee)
Bulls: Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Ankle); Torrey Craig, (OUT - Heel); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee)
Raptors projections:
Scottie Barnes, SF/PF: 43.3 FPTS (24.0 pts, 7.5 reb, 6.3 ast, 2.0 3PM, 1.5 blk)
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 31.4 FPTS (18.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 29.8 FPTS (15.0 pts, 2.7 reb, 5.6 ast)
Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 23.9 FPTS (12.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.4 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 23.0 FPTS (13.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Thaddeus Young, PF: 18.6 FPTS (8.4 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.2 ast)
Chris Boucher, PF/C: 15.6 FPTS (7.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 0.8 ast)
Bulls projections:
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF: 43.2 FPTS (26.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.7 ast)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 42.1 FPTS (20.6 pts, 10.2 reb, 4.2 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 40.3 FPTS (22.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 28.1 FPTS (13.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 25.0 FPTS (13.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.3 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 18.9 FPTS (9.2 pts, 7.5 reb, 0.6 ast)
Jevon Carter, PG: 14.5 FPTS (7.7 pts, 1.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
Philadelphia 76ers at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
BPI Projection: Warriors in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Kenneth Lofton Jr., (GTD - Personal); Tyrese Maxey, (GTD - Ankle); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee)
Warriors: Moses Moody, (GTD - Calf); Gary Payton II, (OUT - Hamstring); Chris Paul, (OUT - Hand)
76ers projections:
Joel Embiid, C: 55.8 FPTS (34.9 pts, 9.6 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.3 blk)
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 47.4 FPTS (26.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 6.1 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 37.8 FPTS (19.0 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.4 ast)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF: 20.8 FPTS (10.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.9 ast)
Paul Reed, PF: 15.7 FPTS (6.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.0 ast)
Nicolas Batum, SG/SF: 15.0 FPTS (3.1 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.7 ast)
Patrick Beverley, PG: 14.9 FPTS (5.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.1 ast)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 45.1 FPTS (25.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.3 ast, 4.4 3PM)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 30.5 FPTS (17.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.7 ast, 3.4 3PM)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 28.7 FPTS (17.1 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.8 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 24.9 FPTS (14.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 24.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.9 ast)
Brandin Podziemski, SG: 23.8 FPTS (9.4 pts, 5.9 reb, 3.0 ast)
Dario Saric, PF: 22.0 FPTS (9.9 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.5 ast)