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Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Sunday

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Trayce Jackson-Davis fights off defender for and-1 (0:22)

Trayce Jackson-Davis fights off defender for and-1 (0:22)

ESPN's fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night's games. Here you'll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports and player projections.

What you need to know for Sunday's games

Sunday features just six NBA games on the slate but there are some big names in action, several fun matchups and a ton of fantasy destinies that will be decided before the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers wrap up the night around 1 a.m.

The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Detroit Pistons at 3:00 p.m. to get things started and Brandon Ingram won't play for the next couple weeks due to a bone contusion in his left knee. That means Trey Murphy III is likely to go off, C.J. McCollum and Zion Williamson get boosts and Naji Marshall should make a little noise. But there are no clear 'stream teamers' here. However, Jalen Duren could miss his second game with a back injury for the Pistons and if he's out, James Wiseman could draw another start at center. Wiseman went off for 24 points and nine boards on 11-of-13 shooting against the Celtics on Friday so he should be on a lot of rosters in case Duren isn't able to go.

The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Los Angeles Clippers this afternoon and both teams have some injury concerns. Joel Embiid (knee) is out so Paul Reed remains relevant, but Mo Bamba has been starting and could be the better center option tonight, given his 32 minutes, 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks on Friday. And Kelly Oubre's fun run should continue for the Sixers. The Clippers are relatively healthy as far as the starters go, but readily available Terance Mann is coming off a big game and could do it again today.

The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Miami Heat and Evan Mobley (ankle) sounds like a true game-time decision. However, he hasn't played since March 5 and I'm not sure the Cavaliers are ready to roll him out there just yet. Donovan Mitchell (nose) is still out, which is good news for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang, and both players are worth a look. In fact, I'd argue that LeVert is a must-have player today. Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are likely out for the Heat, making Patty Mills a potential player worth looking at on Sunday. However, he's been a bust and is probably better served left on the waiver wire.

The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Milwaukee Bucks in a fun matchup and the OKC injury report is remarkably clean for this time of year. In fact, there are no injured players anywhere on the roster right now. Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all expected to play tonight in what some might think could be a preview of the NBA Finals if things fall into place in the postseason.

The Golden State Warriors are in Minnesota to face the Timberwolves and GSW's injury report gets a clean bill of health. Anthony Edwards is still iffy with his left finger injury but the kid is a warrior and simply doesn't miss games. Rudy Gobert is questionable with a rib injury after returning from a three-game absence on Friday but he's had some time to rest and my guess is that he'll be out there tonight, as well. Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels are both healthy for this one and it will be interesting to see who emerges with a big stat line in this one as Karl-Anthony Towns continues to sit.

The finale features the Pacers at the Lakers and while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are once again on the injury report, they're likely to be playing in tonight's late game. With most of these teams so healthy, finding streamers won't be as easy as it is on other nights, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

Sunday's Stream Team

Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Warriors (rostered in 10.8% of ESPN leagues): Jackson-Davis had his streak of six double-digit scoring nights broken on Friday, but still went off for nine points, 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks on 4-of-5 shooting in 26 minutes. He's averaged 11.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.4 steals and 1.7 blocks in March and has officially entrenched himself into the mix for the Warriors this season.

Terance Mann, SG/SF, Clippers (2.9%): After struggling for a few games Mann burst back onto the scene on Friday at Portland when he connected on 7-of-12 shots, a 3-pointer and 5-of-5 free throws for 20 points, four assists, two steals and a block in 36 minutes. It was easily his best game of the month and he may have trouble repeating the feat with most of his teammates healthy, but he's at least worth a look in case he can stay hot and keep it going against the Sixers.

James Wiseman, C, Pistons (3.3%): Make sure Duren is sitting out for the Pistons before messing with Wiseman, but if that's the case, he should be a decent center option tonight. He played 37 minutes and hit 11-of-13 shots for a season-high 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists on Friday. Just keep in mind he only has one steal and two total blocks over his last five games, so there are no guarantees that he puts up big numbers. Especially if Duren plays through his back problem.

Jose Alvarado, PG, Pelicans (0.7%): After scoring a grand total of three points in his previous two games, Alvarado saw 31 minutes and hit four triples for 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists against the Heat on Friday. With Ingram out, they can use C.J. McCollum at shooting guard more and let Alvarado run the offense. Alvarado is a gamble that could pay off if the Pelicans turn him loose for at least 25 minutes again tonight.

Mo Bamba, C, Sixers (1.6%): Whether it's Reed or Bamba that gets the big minutes in the middle is a literal coin toss, but it was Bamba who got the call on Friday when he played a season-high 32 minutes and finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks against the Lakers. You have to think he earned another shot with that performance and he'll be an interesting roll of the dice for some fantasy managers on Sunday. Add in the fact that Reed has scored exactly four points in three straight games without doing much else besides adding in a few rebounds, steals and blocks, and Bamba could be an interesting 'swing for the fences' option tonight. Plenty of risk, with some potentially decent rewards.

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.


New Orleans Pelicans at Detroit Pistons
3:00 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit


BPI Projection: Pelicans in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, (OUT - Knee); Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Knee)
Pistons: Jalen Duren, (GTD - Back); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT - Toe); Taj Gibson, (OUT - Hamstring); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle)

Pelicans projections:

Pistons projections:


Philadelphia 76ers at LA Clippers
3:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles


BPI Projection: Clippers in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
76ers: De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back); Kyle Lowry, (OUT - Rest); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee)
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (GTD - Thumb); Daniel Theis, (GTD - Knee); Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Hand); Norman Powell, (GTD - Lower Leg); P.J. Tucker, (GTD - Calf); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)

76ers projections:

  • Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 47.3 FPTS (26.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 6.2 ast, 3.1 3PM)

  • Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 35.7 FPTS (16.9 pts, 6.3 reb, 3.0 ast)

  • Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF: 33.0 FPTS (19.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

  • Paul Reed, PF/C: 23.3 FPTS (10.3 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.3 blk)

  • Mo Bamba, C: 18.2 FPTS (8.3 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.3 blk)

  • Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 18.1 FPTS (7.3 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Nicolas Batum, SG/SF: 17.1 FPTS (5.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast)

Clippers projections:

  • Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 41.3 FPTS (22.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 40.7 FPTS (22.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.7 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • James Harden, PG/SG: 37.3 FPTS (15.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 7.5 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Ivica Zubac, C: 26.1 FPTS (11.9 pts, 8.9 reb, 1.3 ast)

  • Terance Mann, SG/SF: 19.4 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.2 ast)

  • Daniel Theis, PF/C: 12.9 FPTS (5.7 pts, 2.9 reb, 0.8 ast)

  • Amir Coffey, SG: 12.8 FPTS (6.0 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.0 ast)


Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat
6:00 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami


BPI Projection: Heat in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, (GTD - Ankle); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee); Max Strus, (OUT - Knee); Donovan Mitchell, (OUT - Nose); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Heat: Caleb Martin, (GTD - Knee); Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD - Ankle); Duncan Robinson, (OUT - Back); Kevin Love, (OUT - Heel); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)

Cavaliers projections:

Heat projections:


Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks
7:00 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee


BPI Projection: Thunder in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Thunder: None reported
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Hamstring); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Ankle)

Thunder projections:

Bucks projections:


Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
7:00 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis


BPI Projection: Timberwolves in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Warriors: None reported
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Finger); Rudy Gobert, (GTD - Ribs); Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)

Warriors projections:

Timberwolves projections:


Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Lakers
10:00 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles


BPI Projection: Pacers in the highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Pacers: James Johnson, (GTD - Personal); Isaiah Wong, (OUT - Ankle); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Shoulder)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Achilles); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Taurean Prince, (GTD - Personal); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Colin Castleton, (OUT - Wrist); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)

Pacers projections:

Lakers projections: