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Fantasy picks and betting tips for Friday's NBA slate

The Wizards' Jordan Poole has been on a scoring spree of late. Scott Wachter/Imagn Images

Big night in the NBA tonight! It's an NBA Cup night, so every game counts toward the in-season tournament. We'll have wild-colored courts and, key side nugget, the scoring margin of the games will influence the standings. That means, potentially fewer starters getting taken out of blowouts, and thus more players likely to go "over" on their props.

It also means a jam-packed schedule, with 12 games and 24 teams in action. And all of the matchups are within the same conference, giving tonight's slate a baseball Al/NL league feel. Plus, there are some fun storylines, like James Harden returning to Houston to face his old team and the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) locking horns in an echo of the teams that won 10 championships in 15 years between 1999 and 2013. We also get a subway matchup between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, among plenty of other storylines.

So, without further ado, let's dig deeper into the matchups and identify some fantasy streamer and betting angles that catch my eye.


Friday's fantasy players to stream into your lineup

Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers (available in 78.6% of ESPN leagues)

If McCain is still available in your league, you might want to roster him quickly, because he's one of the fastest risers in the game. The rookie has gotten more playing time since Tyrese Maxey's injury and has responded with a points explosion. McCain has played at least 30 minutes in four straight games, averaging 25.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 RPG, 4.3 3PG and 0.8 SPG in 32.5 MPG over that span. Some of that was inflated by his monster effort Wednesday when both Joel Embiid and Paul George joined Maxey on the sideline, but he had totaled 50 points in the two games before anyway.

Brandon Boston Jr., New Orleans Pelicans (79.1% available)

Boston has been in this space multiple times because he keeps producing and remains unrostered in a majority of leagues. He struggled a bit in his last game, managing only eight points on 3-for-10 shooting from the field with six turnovers, but he still came up with 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Overall, in his five games since moving into the starting lineup due to all the Pelicans injuries, Boston has averaged 15.0 PPG, 5.2 APG, 5.6 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.4 3PG and 0.6 BPG in 35.8 MPG.

Tari Eason, Houston Rockets (67.4% available)

Eason has been doing his thing off the bench for the Rockets, averaging 14.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.1 3PG and 1.1 APG in 25.6 MPG over his last eight games. In category leagues, in particular, Eason's combination of defensive stats and 3-point shooting gives him even more value.

Dre's bets for Friday

Cade Cunningham OVER 15.5 total assists and rebounds (-110)

Cunningham has been outproducing both his rebounds line (over 5.5 rebounds, -150) and his assists line (over 8.5 APG, -125) on a consistent basis for weeks now. Over his past six games, Cunningham has averaged 10.5 APG and 9.0 RPG (19.5 A + R) with at least seven rebounds and nine assists in all six games. Betting the combination allows for him to regress in one or the other while still giving some safety cushion, but all three bets have value for tonight.

Bennedict Mathurin OVER 21.5 points (-125)

Mathurin has settled in as the primary scoring option for the Indiana Pacers with both Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard out. In his last seven games, six of them starts, Mathurin has averaged 24.0 PPG on 52.4 FG%, 50.0 3P% and 84.9 FT%. He has been a walking bucket and has scored at least 22 points in three straight games (27.7 PPG in that span).

Jordan Poole OVER 20.5 points(-150)

Poole has stepped up as the primary scorer for the Washington Wizards, even with Kyle Kuzma back from injury. He is coming off dropping a smooth 42 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday and has scored over 20.5 points in six of his last eight games. That includes two games against his Friday opponent, the Atlanta Hawks, in which he dropped 26 and 24 points in back-to-back contests.

Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 24.5 points (-130)

Towns is listed as questionable to play on Friday with a knee contusion, so this only applies if he plays. But when he plays, of late, Towns has been nigh unstoppable as a scorer. He has averaged 32.6 PPG over his last five games, scoring 30 or more in four of those contests. And that doesn't even include the 44 points he dropped on the Miami Heat a couple weeks ago. His Friday opponents, the Brooklyn Nets, allow the third-most points in the NBA to opposing centers (25.0 PPG)

Victor Wembanyama OVER 2.5 3-pointers (-180)

The Wembanyama detonation has been in full force for the last week. He has averaged video game numbers across the board over his last three games (36.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 4.3 BPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 SPG), but his most consistently out-of-the-box category has been 3-pointers. He's averaging 6.7 3PG in that span, with at least six treys made in all three games. He dropped 50 points with eight 3-pointers on Wednesday and would have to cool off quite a bit to miss his line against Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Odds by ESPN BET

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues


Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET

Line: Heat 4.5 (-105) | Pacers -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Heat +160 | Pacers -190
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 2.3, straight up 58%, 229.0 total points.

Injury Report:
Heat: Jimmy Butler, (OUT - Ankle)
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT - Achilles); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Ankle); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT - Knee)

Heat projections:

Pacers projections:


Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET

Line: 76ers 2.5 (-115) | Magic -2.5 (-105)
Money line: 76ers +110 | Magic -130
Total: 208.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 0.8, straight up 53%, 212.2 total points.

Injury Report:
76ers: Andre Drummond, (NA - Illness); Tyrese Maxey, (OUT - Hamstring)
Magic: Wendell Carter Jr., (OUT - Foot); Paolo Banchero, (OUT - Oblique)

76ers projections:

Magic projections:


Detroit Pistons at Toronto Raptors
7 p.m. ET

Line: Pistons -1.5 (-115) | Raptors 1.5 (-105)
Money line: Pistons -125 | Raptors +105
Total: 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 4.1, straight up 63%, 227.6 total points.

Injury Report:
Pistons: Jaden Ivey, (NA - Toe); Simone Fontecchio, (GTD - Toe); Tim Hardaway Jr., (GTD - Head); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Bobi Klintman, (OUT - Calf)
Raptors: Ja'Kobe Walter, (OUT - Shoulder); Kelly Olynyk, (OUT - Back); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Foot); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT - Elbow); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Orbital); Bruce Brown, (OUT - Knee)

Pistons projections:

Raptors projections:


Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards 9.5 (-110) | Hawks -9.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +300 | Hawks -380
Total: 241.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 8, straight up 74%, 244.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee); Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD - Thumb)
Hawks: Cody Zeller, (OUT - Personal); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Hamstring); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT - Shoulder); Vit Krejci, (OUT - Thigh); Seth Lundy, (OUT - Ankle)

Wizards projections:

Hawks projections:


Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Bulls 9.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -9.5 (-115)
Money line: Bulls +375 | Cavaliers -500
Total: 238.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 6.7, straight up 71%, 233.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Bulls: Adama Sanogo, (GTD - Knee)
Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, (NA - Illness); Jarrett Allen, (NA - Lower Leg); Sam Merrill, (NA - Ankle); Emoni Bates, (OUT - Knee); Max Strus, (OUT - Ankle)

Bulls projections:

Cavaliers projections:

  • Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 43.1 FPTS (25.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Darius Garland, PG: 36.0 FPTS (19.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 6.2 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Evan Mobley, PF/C: 29.8 FPTS (16.7 pts, 8.3 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.5 blk)

  • Jarrett Allen, C: 28.3 FPTS (14.2 pts, 10.4 reb, 1.5 ast)

  • Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 25.3 FPTS (12.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.6 ast)

  • Ty Jerome, PG: 15.8 FPTS (7.7 pts, 1.6 reb, 3.1 ast)

  • Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 13.7 FPTS (6.7 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.3 ast)


Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Nets 9.5 (-110) | Knicks -9.5 (-110)
Money line: Nets +350 | Knicks -450
Total: 215.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 0.7, straight up 52%, 218.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Nets: Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD - Ankle); Nic Claxton, (NA - Back); Trendon Watford, (OUT - Hamstring); Day'Ron Sharpe, (OUT - Hamstring); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Foot)
Knicks: Cameron Payne, (GTD - Hamstring); Jalen Brunson, (NA - Ankle); Karl-Anthony Towns, (NA - Knee); Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT - Knee); Miles McBride, (GTD - Knee); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle); Precious Achiuwa, (OUT - Hamstring)

Nets projections:

Knicks projections:

  • Jalen Brunson, PG: 44.2 FPTS (27.2 pts, 3.0 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 42.8 FPTS (23.8 pts, 11.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 32.7 FPTS (17.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Josh Hart, SG/SF: 32.0 FPTS (12.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 5.3 ast)

  • OG Anunoby, SF/PF: 31.0 FPTS (16.2 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Miles McBride, PG: 20.0 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.4 ast)

  • Tyler Kolek, PG: 16.5 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.4 ast)


Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Line: Lakers -3.5 (-105) | Spurs 3.5 (-115)
Money line: Lakers -155 | Spurs +130
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 0.5, straight up 52%, 232.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Foot); Rui Hachimura, (NA - Ankle); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Groin); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Jaxson Hayes, (NA - Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee)
Spurs: Tre Jones, (GTD - Ankle); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT - Thumb)

Lakers projections:

Spurs projections:


LA Clippers at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET

Line: Clippers 4.5 (EVEN) | Rockets -4.5 (-120)
Money line: Clippers +160 | Rockets -190
Total: 214.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 6.3, straight up 70%, 220.5 total points.

Injury Report:
Clippers: Mo Bamba, (OUT - Knee); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT - Knee); P.J. Tucker, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Rockets: Steven Adams, (GTD - Knee)

Clippers projections:

Rockets projections:


Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET

Line: Nuggets -4.5 (-115) | Pelicans 4.5 (-105)
Money line: Nuggets -195 | Pelicans +160
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 5.4, straight up 67%, 224.0 total points.

Injury Report:
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, (OUT - Achilles); Nikola Jokic, (NA - Personal); Vlatko Cancar, (GTD - Ankle); Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Calf)
Pelicans: CJ McCollum, (OUT - Thigh); Herbert Jones, (OUT - Shoulder); Jordan Hawkins, (OUT - Back); Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Hand); Zion Williamson, (OUT - Hamstring); Jose Alvarado, (OUT - Hamstring)

Nuggets projections:

Pelicans projections:


Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET

Line: Suns 7.5 (EVEN) | Thunder -7.5 (-120)
Money line: Suns +270 | Thunder -340
Total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 4.5, straight up 64%, 228.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Suns: Grayson Allen, (NA - Hamstring); Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD - Ankle); Bradley Beal, (NA - Calf); Kevin Durant, (OUT - Calf); Collin Gillespie, (OUT - Ankle)
Thunder: Chet Holmgren, (OUT - Hip); Nikola Topic, (OUT - Knee); Alex Caruso, (NA - Hip); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT - Hand); Jaylin Williams, (OUT - Hamstring)

Suns projections:

  • Devin Booker, PG/SG: 44.8 FPTS (27.1 pts, 3.5 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)

  • Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 29.0 FPTS (16.4 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Tyus Jones, PG: 27.7 FPTS (11.7 pts, 2.4 reb, 5.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Jusuf Nurkic, C: 23.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.5 ast)

  • Ryan Dunn, SF: 18.5 FPTS (11.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.2 ast)

  • Royce O'Neale, SF: 18.1 FPTS (6.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.2 ast)

  • Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 15.9 FPTS (9.4 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)

Thunder projections:


Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET on ESPN

Line: Grizzlies 7.5 (-110) | Warriors -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Grizzlies +250 | Warriors -310
Total: 235.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 8.2, straight up 75%, 235.5 total points.

Injury Report:
Grizzlies: GG Jackson II, (OUT - Foot); Brandon Clarke, (GTD - Toe); Desmond Bane, (GTD - Oblique); Vince Williams Jr., (GTD - Lower Leg); Ja Morant, (OUT - Hip); Cam Spencer, (OUT - Ankle)
Warriors: Kyle Anderson, (GTD - Neck); De'Anthony Melton, (NA - Knee)

Grizzlies projections:

Warriors projections:


Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET

Line: Timberwolves -1.5 (-110) | Kings 1.5 (-110)
Money line: Timberwolves -125 | Kings +105
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 0.7, straight up 52%, 225.1 total points.

Injury Report:
Timberwolves: None reported
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT - Shoulder); DeMar DeRozan, (NA - Back); Orlando Robinson, (OUT - Knee); Malik Monk, (OUT - Ankle)

Timberwolves projections:

Kings projections: