A trio of early afternoon games defines super Sunday in the NBA. Fantasy managers and bettors will need to make decisions on these rosters and matchups before games tip. The Detroit Pistons host the first game of the slate, as the Charlotte Hornets come to town as sizable underdogs. Detroit looks to move above .500 amid a breakout season for Cade Cunningham. A collective of veteran shooters and the emergence of Ausar Thompson support Motown's cause.
Meanwhile, Amen Thompson has emerged as a full-on fantasy star for the Houston Rockets ahead of a tilt with the Toronto Raptors. While Brandon Ingram is yet to make his debut for the Raptors, Toronto also has a few other key injuries in the rotation to consider.
It appears Giannis Antetokounmpo won't be in the lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks this afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers, so expect to learn more about the Kyle Kuzma experiment.
Sunday's Stream Team
Ausar Thompson, SF/PF, Detroit Pistons (Rostered in 30.3% of ESPN leagues)
The Thompson twins deliver some truly great fantasy results. While Amen has found his stride with the Rockets, Ausar is still working to secure steady minutes and touches for Detroit. There is real momentum to consider, however, as Ausar has been on an impressive run of two-way production the past two weeks. He gets an matchup inviting matchup against a sloppy Charlotte defense.
Moussa Diabate, PF, Charlotte Hornets (9.1%):
News of Mark Williams coming back to the roster will eventually limit Diabate's impact, but he is likely to play around 25 minutes as the resident rim protector and glass cleaner for a depleted Hornets frontcourt. For those in need of volume rebounding to finish out the week, this is your guy.
Malik Beasley, SG, Detroit Pistons (29.3%):
A true bucket with real range, Beasley just lit the 76ers up on Friday night. Empowered to pull up whenever he touches the ball and likely to run a gauntlet of screens for Detroit, it helps that the Hornets struggle to close-out on shooters on the edges.
Gradey Dick, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (29.0%)
Gradey Dick is learning to shoot off screens at high speeds the same way Beasley does. The Raptors are playing the second leg of a back-to-back, which might give him more time to operate in tight windows. Either way, the shots and touches will be there with RJ Barrett and Ingram missing from the rotation.
McCormick's bets for Sunday
LaMelo Ball over 34.5 points and assists (-115)
The Hornets run nearly everything through Ball. His usage percentage is a league-high 37.3%, which means he's completing roughly 40% of the team's possessions when on the floor. The Pistons ranked fourth in the NBA in pace, so added possessions should be on the menu. When it comes to chasing stats, give me the highest-usage player in the NBA on a depleted roster on the road.
Tyrese Maxey over 28.5 points (-120)
Even with Joel Embiid likely to play, Maxey's offensive role should prove rewarding against a Bucks roster that lacks defensive talent and quality scheme in the backcourt. The recipe for the 76ers will be running downhill pick-and-rolls that leverage Maxey's rare speed. Look for a busy day from Maxey against an older and smaller Milwaukee backcourt.
Scottie Barnes over 13.5 combined assists and rebounds (-120)
The Raptors' commitment to Ingram spells a new era going forward for Toronto. But that era doesn't begin right now as Barnes continues to run the offense and lead the team in passes and potential assists. He does all of this while also cleaning the glass for a Toronto team missing Jakob Poeltl as well. Expect Barnes to shine on Sunday.
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
Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons
1 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets 10.5 (-115) | Pistons -10.5 (-105)
Money line: Hornets +360 | Pistons -500
Total: 225.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 8.7, straight up 76%, 220.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Mark Williams, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Nick Smith Jr., (GTD - Back); Josh Green, (OUT - Calf); Josh Okogie, (OUT - Hamstring); Brandon Miller, (OUT - Wrist); Grant Williams, (OUT - Knee); Tre Mann, (OUT - Back); Cody Martin, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Vasilije Micic, (GTD - Not Injury Related)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Ankle); Jaden Ivey, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Hornets projections:
LaMelo Ball, PG: 49.4 FPTS (28.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 7.5 ast, 4.2 3PM)
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 39.4 FPTS (22.2 pts, 7.4 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Moussa Diabate, PF: 23.5 FPTS (9.6 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Nick Smith Jr., SG: 21.2 FPTS (12.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
KJ Simpson, PG: 16.9 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.5 ast)
DaQuan Jeffries, SG: 16.2 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.4 ast)
Tidjane Salaun, PF: 14.0 FPTS (6.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 48.5 FPTS (27.4 pts, 5.3 reb, 7.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jalen Duren, C: 24.0 FPTS (11.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 2.4 ast)
Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 22.0 FPTS (9.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.5 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 22.0 FPTS (12.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.7 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Ausar Thompson, SF/PF: 18.9 FPTS (8.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.3 ast)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 16.5 FPTS (9.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 14.1 FPTS (6.9 pts, 1.3 reb, 2.5 ast)
Toronto Raptors at Houston Rockets
2 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors 9.5 (-120) | Rockets -9.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Raptors +320 | Rockets -425
Total: 223.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 10.3, straight up 80%, 224.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Davion Mitchell, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Bruce Brown, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Kelly Olynyk, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Hip); RJ Barrett, (OUT - Concussion)
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (GTD - Ankle); Jabari Smith Jr., (OUT - Hand)
Raptors projections:
Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF: 43.3 FPTS (20.8 pts, 7.3 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.4 blk)
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 27.9 FPTS (14.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Gradey Dick, SG/SF: 23.1 FPTS (13.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 18.7 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG: 18.1 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.2 ast)
Jonathan Mogbo, PF: 18.1 FPTS (7.0 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Jamal Shead, PG: 17.9 FPTS (7.9 pts, 1.5 reb, 3.9 ast)
Rockets projections:
Alperen Sengun, C: 39.9 FPTS (20.7 pts, 9.6 reb, 5.2 ast)
Jalen Green, SG: 37.4 FPTS (23.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Amen Thompson, SG/SF/PF: 34.0 FPTS (15.3 pts, 8.1 reb, 5.0 ast)
Fred VanVleet, PG: 30.5 FPTS (13.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Tari Eason, SF/PF: 26.3 FPTS (12.0 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.3 ast)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 23.5 FPTS (13.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Cam Whitmore, SF: 18.8 FPTS (11.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.1 ast)
Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
2 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers -1.5 (-115) | Bucks 1.5 (-105)
Money line: 76ers -125 | Bucks +105
Total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 3.7, straight up 62%, 223.6 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD - Knee); Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Jared McCain, (OUT - Knee); KJ Martin, (GTD - Not Injury Related)
Bucks: Liam Robbins, (GTD - Groin); Pat Connaughton, (GTD - Calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT - Calf); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Not Injury Related)
76ers projections:
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 54.2 FPTS (32.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 6.7 ast, 3.6 3PM)
Joel Embiid, C: 42.2 FPTS (26.2 pts, 9.0 reb, 4.1 ast)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 33.9 FPTS (17.2 pts, 7.5 reb, 2.6 ast)
Paul George, SF/PF: 32.1 FPTS (15.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Quentin Grimes, SG: 15.4 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.1 ast)
Justin Edwards, SF: 15.0 FPTS (5.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.8 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 13.7 FPTS (7.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 0.8 ast)
Bucks projections:
Damian Lillard, PG: 44.0 FPTS (24.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 6.9 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Bobby Portis, PF: 29.6 FPTS (14.0 pts, 8.3 reb, 2.6 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 23.7 FPTS (12.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.9 3PM, 1.6 blk)
Tyler Smith, SF: 23.2 FPTS (10.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Gary Trent Jr., SG: 19.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Taurean Prince, SF: 18.7 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.4 ast)
AJ Green, SG: 13.2 FPTS (6.3 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.5 ast)