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What you need to know for Sunday's games
Sundays are a big deal in the NBA for the remainder of the season and ABC and ESPN have all the big games covered. The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Dallas Mavericks on ABC to kick off the action at 1 p.m., immediately followed by Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors only visit to Boston this season to take on the mighty Celtics.
The action moves to ESPN in the evening with the New York Knicks visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 p.m., followed up by the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Phoenix Suns at 9:30.
Mo Bamba has been starting over Paul Reed at center for Philly, but Reed is still the better fantasy play, despite his wild inconsistency. Meanwhile, the Mavericks should enter this one fully healthy and I'm expecting Luka Doncic to put on a big show on National TV today after he tanked it up in the All-Star Game last week. P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford should all be sneaky fantasy plays against the Sixers. If the Mavericks are going to make a move to get into the Top 5 in the West they'll need to take advantage of today's game with Joel Embiid watching in street clothes.
Curry and Brandin Podziemski are both iffy for the Warriors with knee injuries but given the attention and enormity of their visit to Boston, I expect both of them to be on the court today. Kristaps Porzingis, as usual, is iffy with a left quad injury, but he looked good on Friday and had 24 points, six rebounds and four triples in an easy win over the Mavericks (his former team).
Donovan Mitchell missed Friday's game and is questionable against the Knicks tonight, as the Cavaliers look to keep it going and hang on to the No. 2 seed in the East. Max Strus is due for a big game, while Evan Mobley has been hot lately. Caris Levert is also questionable due to an elbow injury.
And while it's not on national television, the Indiana Pacers visit the San Antonio Spurs and a lot of fantasy managers' hopes of winning this week will be hanging on Victor Wembanyama's and Tyrese Haliburton's shoulders tonight. Wemby has been an absolute monster in terms of fantasy this season and averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 3.9 blocks and 2.2 3-pointers in March, shattering records along the way. He's blocked between five and 10 shots in four of his last seven games and the Pacers absolutely give it up to opposing stars, regardless of their age or position. His salary is through the roof, but Wemby should be a very solid DFS play today if you feel like going on a spending spree.
There are a lot of questions surrounding the Suns tonight after Devin Booker went down with an ankle injury near the end of Saturday's game. He stepped on teammate Royce O'Neale's foot and I'm concerned he may not play tonight. Additionally, Jusuf Nurkic left that game with neck spams, which could force Drew Eubanks and the suddenly kind of hot Bol Bol into serious action tonight. Hopefully, the Suns let us know nice and early what the status is of the two stars for tonight's game. O'Neale is rolling right now, scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds in 27 minutes on Saturday, while Eubanks and Bol both had forgettable performances in the loss to Houston. But I'm probably going to roll with O'Neale either way tonight, while Grayson Allen should shine if Booker is out with his injury. And on a side note, Bradley Beal is back for the Suns and not on the early injury reports, which is good to see. However, he scored just seven points on Saturday, hitting 3-of-6 shots.
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.
Royce O'Neale, SF, Suns (32.8% rostered in ESPN leagues). O'Neale has racked up double digits in scoring in three straight games with averages of 17 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 4.3 3-pointers over that stretch. I kind of feel like a genius for picking him up early this week, which I did simply because the Suns' schedule worked in my favor for the second half of the week in my fantasy leagues. If Booker and Nurkic can't play tonight, O'Neale could do something special against the Thunder.
Terance Mann, SG/SF, Clippers (5.6% rostered). Paul George is back for the Clippers, which isn't great news for Mann, but he's still starting and has scored in double figures in four straight games, two of which included George. He's averaged 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds over that stretch, but hasn't been doing much in terms of assists, steals, blocks and 3-pointers. He has, however, been shooting it very well from the floor, knocking down 28-of-40 shots (70%) over his last four games. If you're in a field goal percentage battle in your fantasy leagues, using the right Mann on Sunday could pay dividends.
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF, Pistons (46.2%):.After a couple duds, Thompson has come back to life over his last two games with averages of 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals,1.5 blocks and 2.0 3-pointers. He's also shooting it well, hitting 11-of-19 (58%) over those two and has averaged 36 minutes per game over that stretch. If he continues to see that kind of court time on Sunday, he should be in line for another solid game against the Magic in Orlando.
Tre Mann, PG, Hornets (9.2%). LaMelo Ball is still without a timetable for his return from an ankle injury, meaning Mann should continue to handle point guard duties for the Hornets tonight. Mann has struggled on 18-of-48 (38%) shooting over his last five games, but should get most of the point guard minutes tonight and break out of his shooting funk against the Toronto Raptors. Mann averaged 11.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 3-pointers on 43% shooting in February. If you're in a field goal percentage battle, Mann might be more useful on fantasy benches, but should otherwise have the ball in his hands a ton on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
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.
Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks
1 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas
BPI Projection: Mavericks in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
76ers: Kelly Oubre Jr., (GTD - Shoulder); KJ Martin, (GTD - Ankle); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee)
Mavericks: None reported
76ers projections:
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 48.4 FPTS (27.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 34.5 FPTS (16.5 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.2 ast)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 27.5 FPTS (10.8 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF: 26.0 FPTS (14.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.0 ast)
Paul Reed, PF/C: 17.4 FPTS (7.6 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Mo Bamba, C: 13.7 FPTS (4.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.4 blk)
Ricky Council IV, SG: 12.6 FPTS (5.3 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.6 ast)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 61.3 FPTS (33.7 pts, 8.8 reb, 8.3 ast, 3.7 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 46.0 FPTS (26.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)
P.J. Washington, PF: 23.8 FPTS (12.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.7 ast)
Dereck Lively II, C: 19.6 FPTS (8.0 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.2 blk)
Josh Green, SG/SF: 19.6 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.8 ast)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 19.4 FPTS (10.3 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 17.8 FPTS (8.4 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.0 ast)
Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics
3:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, (GTD - Knee); Gui Santos, (GTD - Knee); Stephen Curry, (GTD - Knee); Andrew Wiggins, (OUT - Personal)
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Quadriceps); Neemias Queta, (OUT - Knee)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 42.4 FPTS (24.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.8 ast, 4.3 3PM)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 29.0 FPTS (16.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.5 ast)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 25.9 FPTS (14.8 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 25.0 FPTS (8.3 pts, 6.9 reb, 5.3 ast)
Brandin Podziemski, SG: 24.6 FPTS (10.0 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.4 ast)
Chris Paul, PG: 23.7 FPTS (7.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.1 ast)
Moses Moody, SG: 16.9 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 46.7 FPTS (27.3 pts, 7.7 reb, 5.0 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 39.2 FPTS (24.0 pts, 5.3 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 28.9 FPTS (13.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.8 ast)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 27.8 FPTS (16.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 blk)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 27.0 FPTS (12.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Al Horford, PF/C: 15.5 FPTS (4.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.0 ast)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 13.7 FPTS (5.5 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.9 ast)
LA Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves
3:30 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
BPI Projection: Timberwolves in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Ivica Zubac, (GTD - Illness); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Ankle); Jaylen Clark, (GTD - Achilles); Kyle Anderson, (GTD - Knee)
Clippers projections:
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 46.0 FPTS (25.0 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 41.5 FPTS (22.0 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 40.4 FPTS (17.9 pts, 5.9 reb, 7.2 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 23.4 FPTS (10.1 pts, 8.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 21.7 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.8 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 21.4 FPTS (12.4 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Daniel Theis, PF/C: 16.7 FPTS (7.9 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 43.5 FPTS (26.4 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 36.8 FPTS (21.3 pts, 7.5 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Rudy Gobert, C: 32.6 FPTS (15.0 pts, 13.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 22.7 FPTS (8.0 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.7 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 20.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.0 ast)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 17.4 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.3 ast)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 16.9 FPTS (6.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.4 ast)
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
6 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando
BPI Projection: Magic in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Marcus Sasser, (GTD - Knee)
Magic: None reported
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 37.9 FPTS (22.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 6.8 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jalen Duren, C: 30.2 FPTS (13.5 pts, 10.8 reb, 2.8 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 23.8 FPTS (14.9 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.4 ast)
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF: 23.2 FPTS (11.6 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.8 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 22.1 FPTS (11.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.8 ast)
Simone Fontecchio, SF: 18.3 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.6 ast)
James Wiseman, C: 11.7 FPTS (5.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 0.7 ast)
Magic projections:
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 39.2 FPTS (24.1 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.4 ast)
Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF: 36.3 FPTS (20.5 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.9 ast)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 21.4 FPTS (11.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.3 ast)
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 19.7 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.4 ast)
Cole Anthony, PG: 18.9 FPTS (9.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.6 ast)
Markelle Fultz, PG/SG: 15.0 FPTS (5.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.2 ast)
Moritz Wagner, PF/C: 14.8 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 0.7 ast)
Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors
6 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
BPI Projection: Raptors in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Brandon Miller, (NA - Back); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back)
Raptors: Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand)
Hornets projections:
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 40.3 FPTS (22.9 pts, 7.3 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 32.3 FPTS (17.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Tre Mann, PG: 29.6 FPTS (15.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.4 ast)
Nick Richards, C: 23.2 FPTS (11.2 pts, 8.7 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.3 blk)
Grant Williams, PF: 20.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Kyle Lowry, PG: 19.2 FPTS (5.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.5 ast)
Nick Smith Jr., PG: 15.6 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Raptors projections:
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 41.2 FPTS (22.7 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.8 3PM)
RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 40.8 FPTS (25.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jakob Poeltl, C: 32.8 FPTS (13.3 pts, 9.4 reb, 3.1 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 27.1 FPTS (15.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C: 24.4 FPTS (8.9 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.4 ast)
Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 21.8 FPTS (10.1 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.4 ast)
Gradey Dick, SG: 17.9 FPTS (9.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
BPI Projection: Cavaliers in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Duane Washington Jr., (OUT - Thumb); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder); OG Anunoby, (OUT - Elbow); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle)
Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD - Elbow); Donovan Mitchell, (GTD - Knee); Tristan Thompson, (OUT - Suspension); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG: 45.1 FPTS (27.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 6.3 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 32.5 FPTS (14.1 pts, 7.7 reb, 3.7 ast)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 32.2 FPTS (17.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.7 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C: 30.5 FPTS (15.7 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.2 blk)
Bojan Bogdanovic, SF/PF: 20.1 FPTS (12.3 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C: 19.0 FPTS (7.8 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.7 ast)
Miles McBride, PG: 14.7 FPTS (6.7 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.3 ast)
Cavaliers projections:
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 44.2 FPTS (23.9 pts, 4.9 reb, 6.0 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Darius Garland, PG: 38.8 FPTS (21.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 6.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jarrett Allen, C: 34.4 FPTS (16.6 pts, 10.1 reb, 2.2 ast)
Evan Mobley, PF/C: 31.7 FPTS (15.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.7 blk)
Max Strus, SG/SF: 27.0 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 21.5 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.7 ast)
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 17.4 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Indiana Pacers at San Antonio Spurs
7 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Pacers in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Ben Sheppard, (GTD - Illness); Doug McDermott, (OUT - Calf)
Spurs: Julian Champagnie, (OUT - Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)
Pacers projections:
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 43.1 FPTS (19.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 8.3 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Pascal Siakam, PF/C: 40.8 FPTS (22.2 pts, 6.8 reb, 4.5 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 28.2 FPTS (15.6 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 blk)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 24.1 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.0 ast)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 23.4 FPTS (13.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.2 ast)
Aaron Nesmith, SF: 22.7 FPTS (11.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.3 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 18.3 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.5 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 39.1 FPTS (19.7 pts, 10.1 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.6 blk)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 36.2 FPTS (20.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Tre Jones, PG: 24.0 FPTS (8.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.2 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 23.9 FPTS (10.8 pts, 6.3 reb, 2.7 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 21.2 FPTS (10.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.0 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 19.4 FPTS (9.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.4 ast)
Malaki Branham, SG: 15.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.6 ast)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns
9:30 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
BPI Projection: Thunder in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Jaylin Williams, (OUT - Knee)
Suns: Devin Booker, (GTD - Ankle); Eric Gordon, (GTD - Groin); Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD - Neck); Nassir Little, (GTD - Knee); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Thunder projections:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG: 52.4 FPTS (29.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 6.3 ast)
Jalen Williams, SG/SF/PF: 35.8 FPTS (19.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.8 ast)
Chet Holmgren, PF/C: 34.6 FPTS (16.2 pts, 8.4 reb, 2.8 ast, 3.3 blk)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 21.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 3.4 ast)
Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 17.1 FPTS (7.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Isaiah Joe, SG: 14.7 FPTS (6.6 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.2 ast)
Gordon Hayward, SF: 14.5 FPTS (6.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.3 ast)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 48.4 FPTS (28.3 pts, 6.8 reb, 6.3 ast)
Devin Booker, PG/SG/PF: 47.7 FPTS (28.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 31.1 FPTS (16.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.2 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 27.8 FPTS (11.8 pts, 8.9 reb, 3.6 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 25.8 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Royce O'Neale, SF: 20.1 FPTS (7.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Bol Bol, PF/C: 16.4 FPTS (7.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 0.9 ast)