ESPN's fantasy basketball and basketball betting tips cheat sheet is your pregame destination for basketball betting predictions and our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds for December 27th are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.
Interesting Spot: For one reason or another, both the Knicks and Suns find themselves in a unique spot: both are winning teams (through 30-plus games), neither is on a back-to-back and both are catching more than five points tonight. Since the beginning of last season, there is no trend worth chasing when trying to pick an ATS winner (such teams are 26-30-1 ATS) and the outright market isn't worth a look (15-42 outright). But ... the projected total is interesting. In these spots since the beginning of last season, overs are 35-20-2 (63.6% hit rate). Over bettors have cashed in four straight Knick games and 9 of 15 Suns games.
Pacer Play: Yes, Indiana got run off the court last night by a short-handed Pelicans team, but if you're into "spot" plays, they should have your interest. Nine of the Pacers' past 12 games have gone under the total and the Hawks have failed to cover five of their past six games in which the under has hit. Even better? The Pacers are 4-2 ATS on the second night of back-to-backs this season. It's ugly ... but it looks good!
Magical Backcourt: The Orlando Magic are finally getting strong play from their backcourt, with Cole Anthony (54% available in ESPN leagues) impressively averaging 19 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists over the past week. Markelle Fultz (79%) is tied for fourth in the league in steals over the past two weeks and is one the better sources of dimes in widely available in fantasy free agency. Per the matchup metrics, Orlando hosts a Lakers team allowing 51.7 DraftKings points per game to point guards over the past seven games, the 10th-highest clip in the league.
Streaming Suns: The Suns won't have superstar scoring guard Devin Booker against the Grizzlies tonight due to a groin injury. Cameron Johnson, Cameron Payne, and Landry Shamet are also sidelined by respective injuries, while Jae Crowder is not with the team. This wave of meaningful absences to the rotation means big minutes for Torrey Craig (96% available) and Damion Lee (99%), especially as both delivered big lines against Denver on Christmas.
O2 for Atlanta The Hawks list Clint Capela as out for tonight's game against the Pacers due to a calf strain. Fire up Onyeka Okongwu (89% available) as a top DFS value, streaming candidate, and double-double prop target as Atlanta's starting center. With at least seven boards in eight straight and just a few nights removed from posting 18 points, 11 boards, and five blocks in a whopping 40 minutes in place of Capela against the Bulls, Okongwu claims rare upside against a Pacers team that ranks 27th in rebounding percentage.
-- Jim McCormick and Kyle Soppe
Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies 8 p.m. ET, FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Line: Grizzlies (-8) Money line: Grizzlies (-335), Suns (+260) Total: 226 points BPI Projected Total: 236.4 points BPI Win%: Grizzlies (71.6%)
Best bet: Chris Paul over 26.5 points + assists. With Devin Booker and Cameron Payne both out with injuries, Paul should have a big night. In the last six games, he has averaged 16.7 points and 9.8 assists. There is a strong chance Paul should meet or exceed those per game averages against the Grizzlies on Tuesday night. -- Eric Moody
Fantasy streamer: Damion Lee (rostered in 1.3% of ESPN leagues) Lee is on the streaming radar with Landry Shamet out for Tuesday's game against the Grizzlies. He has averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per 40 minutes. Fantasy managers should not overlook Lee in deeper formats. -- Moody
Los Angeles Lakers at Orlando Magic 7 p.m. ET, Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Line: Magic (-3) Money line: Magic (-165), Lakers (+140) Total: 235.5 points BPI Projected Total: 237.4 points BPI Win%: Magic (60%)
Fantasy streamer: Thomas Bryant (available in 83% of leagues) disappointed in his previous two games, scoring fewer than 20 fantasy points in each, but prior to that he had a 39-point fantasy effort at Sacramento, so playing at Orlando shouldn't be too different. The shorthanded Lakers need Bryant to take shots and rebound and he should do that on Tuesday and beyond. --Karabell
Best bet: Paolo Banchero over 31.5 total points + assists + rebounds. Banchero produces every night and tends to contribute across the board. He has averaged 21.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 4.6 APG (33.7 PAR) over his past 10 games. He faces a Lakers squad on Tuesday that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards, ranking in the bottom-10 in the league in both rebounds and assists allowed to the position. -- Snellings
Best bet: Franz Wagner over 22.5 points + rebounds. Wagner has averaged 19.8 PPG and 4.0 RPG this season. He has exceeded 22.5 points and rebounds in six of his past eight games. The Lakers rank 25th in points allowed per 100 possessions and have given up some excellent performances to small forwards. -- Moody
Philadelphia 76ers at Washington Wizards 7:30 p.m. ET, Capital One Arena, Washington, Washington D.C.
Line: 76ers (-4.5) Money line: 76ers (-190), Wizards (+158) Total: 226.5 points BPI Projected Total: 228.9 points BPI Win%: 76ers (61.4%)
Best bet: Joel Embiid over 31.5 points. Embiid is playing at such a high level right now that he's making the ridiculous look almost expected. He has scored at least 31 points in eight of his past 10 games, averaging 35.9 PPG during that span. He faces a Wizards' defense on Tuesday that has allowed the sixth-highest points per game (24.2 PPG) to opposing centers. -- Andre Snellings
Best bet: James Harden over 9.5 assists. Much like his big teammate, Harden has been in a zone since returning from injury. In his last eight games, he's dished double-digit assists five times, and averages 12.8 APG during that span. -- Snellings
Best bet: Kyle Kuzma over 20.5 points. Kuzma has achieved this number in four consecutive games, and he continues to handle big minutes and a career-best usage rate for the Wizards, attempting 7.5 3-pointers made this season. The 76ers have been fortunate on opposing 3-pointers recently, but do not assume that continues with Kuzma, who has scored 55 fantasy points in two of his past three games. -- Karabell
Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics 7:30 p.m. ET, TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Line: Celtics (-14.5) Money line: Celtics (-1400), Rockets (+900) Total: 231 points BPI Projected Total: 240.2 points BPI Win%: Celtics (95.5%)
Fantasy streamer: Derrick White (rostered in 42.8% of ESPN leagues) has scored 30 or more fantasy points in two consecutive games and the trend should continue against the Rockets on Tuesday night. Houston ranks 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions. -- Moody
Best bet: Jaylen Brown over 36.5 points+ assists + rebounds. This season, Brown has averaged 26.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 7.4 rebounds. Against an awful Rockets defense at home, he should have a monster game as the number two offensive playmaker behind Jayson Tatum. -- Moody
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers 7:30 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Line: Hawks (-1.5) Money line: Hawks (-125), Pacers (+105) Total: 239 points BPI Projected Total: 239.7 points BPI Win%: Pacers (51.3%)
Fantasy streamer: Onyeka Okongwu (rostered in 12.1% of ESPN leagues). Okongwu is on the streaming radar with Clint Capela out. He has averaged 15.8 points and 12.4 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. The Pacers have allowed the fifth most points per game and the third most rebounds per game to centers. -- Moody
LA Clippers at Toronto Raptors 7:30 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Line: Raptors (-5) Money line: Raptors (-205), Clippers (+170) Total: 219 points BPI Projected Total: 225.2 points BPI Win%: Raptors (65.1%)
Best bet: Pascal Siakam over 24.5 points. Siakam has been on a scoring rampage over the past 10 days, averaging 35.8 PPG in his past four games with at least 26 points scored. -- Snellings
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder 8 p.m. ET, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Line: Thunder (-7) Money line: Thunder (-278), Spurs (+222) Total: 236.5 points BPI Projected Total: 237.7 points BPI Win%: Thunder (70.8%)
Best bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 37.5 points + assists. The Spurs are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and Gilgeous-Alexander will be well-rested for Tuesday night's game. He has averaged 32.3 points and 5.0 assists over the past 13 games. -- Moody
New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks 8:30 p.m. ET, American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Line: Mavericks (-5) Money line: Mavericks (-210), Knicks (+175) Total: 219 points BPI Projected Total: 233.9 points BPI Win%: Mavericks (61.3%)
Fantasy streamer: Immanuel Quickley (available in 94.8% of leagues). Quickley could be in for a larger role than usual, with Jalen Brunson questionable. Even before Brunson's injury, Quickley has shown he is ready to produce on a nightly basis. He has averaged 19.0 PPG, 4.0 3PG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG and 0.7 SPG in 26.3 MPG off the bench over the past three games prior to Sunday. -- Snellings
Charlotte Hornets at Golden State Warriors 10 p.m. ET, Chase Center, San Francisco, California
Line: Warriors (-4.5) Money line: Warriors (-190), Hornets (+158) Total: 240 points BPI Projected Total: 240.2 points BPI Win%: Warriors (52.1%)
Fantasy streamer: Ty Jerome (rostered in 0.4% of ESPN leagues) Jerome is a viable streamer for a Warriors team with Andrew Wiggins and Stephen Curry out. He has scored 24 or more fantasy points in three of his past five games. -- Moody
Best bet: Klay Thompson over 22.5 points. Thompson's scoring has fluctuated throughout the season. However, he has averaged 18.3 PPG in 31.3 MPG and faces a Hornets team that allows opponents a 55.6% effective field goal percentage. -- Moody
Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings 10 p.m. ET, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Line: Nuggets (-3) Money line: Nuggets (-155), Kings (+130) Total: 241 points BPI Projected Total: 242.6 points BPI Win%: Nuggets (52.7%)
Best bet: Nikola Jokic over 36.5 points + assists. Nokic should have a big game against the Kings on Tuesday night. Jokic has averaged 30.6 points and 10.5 assists over his past 10 games. -- Moody