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Jim McCormick
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.
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Top streamers | Best bets | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Sunday’s games
The NBA offers an octet of interesting matchups on this final day of November. Even roughly a quarter into the marathon regular season, we’re still learning about schemes, teams, rotations and players with each new box score.
Three of today’s games project to be blowouts, as double-digit spreads tend to suggest. With pace and scoring up around the league, a total below 230 often indicates a suboptimal offensive environment. A key positive from Sunday’s schedule is that all eight games claim a total of at least 230 points.
Several matchups appear inviting for fantasy production and prop plays, such as the Toronto Raptors visiting the New York Knicks. The Knicks are healthy home favorites, even as the Raptors enter ahead of them in the standings. This should be a revealing meeting of Eastern contenders.
Sticking on the East Coast, the Philadelphia 76ers host the Atlanta Hawks in a matchup with a close spread and encouraging point total. The 76ers are still without Joel Embiid, while the Hawks won’t have Trae Young. With two high-usage offensive engines sidelined, each rotation becomes more interesting for fantasy purposes.
With an eye on finding productive fantasy streamers and betting angles of interest, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Sunday’s fantasy stream team
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (rostered in 24.7% of ESPN leagues): Opportunity knocks. The Villanova product has become a key starter and primary perimeter scorer for the Pelicans with Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III sidelined. Nearing 40 minutes of exposure most nights, Bey has averaged a double-double the past week for a team in need of his scoring and work on the glass. The Los Angeles Lakers can struggle against big wings like Bey, and heavy usage should be present given the injuries around him in the rotation.
Jared McCain, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (19.1% rostered): A hot start to his career was cut short by a knee injury last fall. Now back in the rotation and finally looking like himself in recent games, McCain’s scoring and steal production demands more attention from fantasy managers. With Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and Kelly Olynyk sidelined, there are minutes and touches for McCain to consume. Even if Edgecombe returns to the rotation, McCain’s shot diet should sustain, given his recent success. For those in need of a spot start at center, Adem Bona is in a good spot to deliver.
Jaylen Wells, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (5.5%): The Grizzlies are missing their starting backcourt to injuries. With such a void, Wells has been asked to step up as an offensive creator. The results haven’t been steady, but there has been progress in recent games. With the minutes, touches, and talent to deliver a fun fantasy line against the Kings, Wells is poised to help fantasy teams with a need in the backcourt.
Neemias Queta, C, Boston Celtics (25.0%): The Celtics entered the season with no identifiable frontcourt. This is especially true regarding the center position. Queta has taken the opportunity as a challenge, becoming a better rebounder and rim protector over a short time. Fresh from a career game, Queta could feast again facing a Cavaliers team without Jarrett Allen.
McCormick’s bets for Sunday
Neemias Queta rebounds OVER 8.5 (-130)
The juice here isn’t ideal, although the opportunity rates suggest it’s still a solid play. Which is to say, even at a more expensive price, this prop appears reasonable given the blend of Queta’s minutes, rebounding chances and the advantage not facing Allen presents. Boston’s trust in Queta appears enduring and worthy of more attention.
Dylan Harper assists OVER 2.5 (-150)
Once again, a willingness to pay the price for this bet is fueled by Harper’s blend of minutes and opportunity rates. He’s going to have the ball in his hands a good bit this evening against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota, meanwhile, has issues at the point-of-attack on defense. Harper’s on-ball usage combined with his passing prowess merge to make this a play I’m pursuing.
Russell Westbrook rebounds OVER 7.5 (-120)
Taking the over on a Westbrook counting stat in 2025 is living life. But really, this box score legend has the advanced rebounding rates to support this play. The absence of Domantas Sabonis is massive, as his roughly 20 rebounding chances per game aren’t in the rotation. The Timberwolves are now 15th in rebounding percentage, suggesting Westbrook will have opportunities to fly in and corral a few loose looks.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
3 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -11.5 (-120) | Jazz +11.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Rockets -700 | Jazz +450
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 15.4, straight up 88%, 238.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (GTD – Ankle); Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT – Ankle); Tari Eason, (OUT – Oblique)
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder); Keyonte George, (GTD – Illness); Kevin Love, (OUT – Rest); Oscar Tshiebwe, (OUT – Illness); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot)
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
6 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics +6.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Celtics +220 | Cavaliers -270
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 4.8, straight up 65%, 230.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
Cavaliers: Craig Porter Jr., (GTD – Hamstring); Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Finger); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT – Calf); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Knee); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot); Sam Merrill, (OUT – Hand)
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks
6 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +7.5 (-110) | Knicks -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Raptors +240 | Knicks -290
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 6, straight up 68%, 231.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: RJ Barrett, (OUT – Knee)
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., (GTD – Groin); OG Anunoby, (OUT – Hamstring); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Shoulder)
Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers
6 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +1.5 (-120) | 76ers -1.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Hawks -105 | 76ers -115
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 0, straight up 50%, 238.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Illness); N’Faly Dante, (OUT – Knee); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee)
76ers: Andre Drummond, (GTD – Knee); VJ Edgecombe, (GTD – Calf); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT – Thigh)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers
6 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -11.5 (-110) | Blazers +11.5 (-110)
Money line: Thunder -700 | Blazers +450
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 11.6, straight up 81%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf)
Blazers: Blake Wesley, (OUT – Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles); Donovan Clingan, (GTD – Illness); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Thumb); Jrue Holiday, (OUT – Calf); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring)
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs +3.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs +135 | Timberwolves -155
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 3, straight up 59%, 231.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Harrison Ingram, (GTD – Undisclosed); Jordan McLaughlin, (OUT – Hamstring); Stephon Castle, (OUT – Hip); Victor Wembanyama, (OUT – Calf)
Timberwolves: None reported
Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies -2.5 (-120) | Kings +2.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Grizzlies -145 | Kings +125
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 1.9, straight up 56%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Calf); Javon Small, (OUT – Toe); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Knee)
Kings: Dennis Schroder, (GTD – Hip); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +14.5 (-115) | Lakers -14.5 (-105)
Money line: Pelicans +600 | Lakers -1000
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 13.5, straight up 85%, 233.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles); Jordan Hawkins, (GTD – Illness); Jordan Poole, (GTD – Quadriceps); Karlo Matkovic, (GTD – Calf); Trey Murphy III, (GTD – Elbow); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Calf)
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD – Foot); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Back)
