ESPN's basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you lock in daily fantasy and betting decisions for that night's games. Here you'll find our top insights for the slate, including players to target for your daily fantasy rosters, along with game-by-game injury reports.
What you need to know for Sunday
November opens with a quartet of NBA games, each of which could prove to be competitive according to betting metrics, as today's point spreads range from just 2.5-6.5 points.
Tighter lines suggest the potential for close games, a welcome environment for fantasy purposes given the greater predictability of playing time and workloads when games are tight and coaching patterns remain steadier.
The action opens with the Orlando Magic hosting the Boston Celtics in a matinee. We won't see Boston's Mitchell Robinson due to planned rest, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs are sidelined for the Magic. Learn about a rising two-way Magic guard in the streaming section below.
The Indiana Pacers host the Brooklyn Nets in a contest with a lengthy injury report. The absence of Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac for the Pacers spells another big role for combo guard Andrew Nembhard. Third-year forward Jarace Walker could help in deeper leagues thanks to his ability to do a little bit of everything.
The LA Clippers' decline includes being underdogs to a Golden State Warriors team that won't have Stephen Curry or Draymond Green due to respective injury-management plans. This all points to a big role for Yaxel Lendeborg, who has proven to be one of the most productive rookies in an already impressive class.
The slate concludes with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Toronto Raptors. Kawhi Leonard's knee issues resurfaced recently, putting the offense back in the hands of Scottie Barnes. The Lakers are looking to make up for Friday's embarrassing loss to the Warriors and should field a full roster.
With an eye toward uncovering compelling betting angles and fantasy decisions, let's take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Fantasy stream team -- widely available players worth adding
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Magic (rostered in 43.3% of ESPN leagues)
Last season, it took a series of injuries to high-usage teammates for Black to emerge as a difference-making statistical force. With Banchero and Suggs both sitting, Black is back in pole position to produce. Among the league leaders in drives when he was initiating offense for Orlando last spring, there are several paths to impressive numbers for Black this afternoon.
Isaiah Jackson, PF/C, Clippers (11.3%)
The Clippers are using a committee of forwards to handle frontcourt duties this season. Jackson is emerging from the crowd with active defensive play and helpful, connective passing from the high post. He's due to earn over 20 minutes of run against smaller Golden State lineups, so Jackson has real upside during this quiet Sunday slate.
De'Anthony Melton, PG/SG, Warriors (8.9%)
Another player with the potential to post stocks (steals and blocks) in bunches, Melton can become a valuable plug-and-play option during these games without Curry. Even the absence of Green is a factor in Melton's endorsement as the team's backcourt will need to generate for others without Green running the half-court engine.
Jim's bets to make on Sunday
Anthony Black OVER 13.5 points (-112)
Drives often consume possessions that end in a shot attempt, foul, pass, or turnover. Black is a deft driver with real size who could play well against Boston's backcourt. The only game Black hasn't gone over this number was due to his earning four fouls early, last week against the Toronto Raptors. All of the requisite opportunity rates are present for Black to get buckets.
Yaxel Lendeborg OVER 7.5 rebounds (-127)
Pacing the Warriors with 14.2 rebounding chances per game, Lendeborg's potential rebounds should spike even more today with Green absent from the lineup. The Clippers don't have any dominant rebounders on their roster, aiding this rookie's pursuit on the glass. Likely to lead the team in minutes, Lendeborg is in a good spot to not only hit this threshold, but also to merit interest in double-double (+210) outcomes, as well.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics -6.5 (-110) | Magic +6.5 (-110)
Money line: Celtics -258 | Magic +210
Total: 221.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 4.3, straight up 63%, 225.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Devin Carter (OUT)
Magic: Jalen Suggs (OUT); Jonathan Isaac (OUT); Izaiyah Nelson (OUT); Noah Penda (OUT); Paolo Banchero (OUT)
Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers
5 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +3.5 (-112) | Pacers -3.5 (-108)
Money line: Nets +140 | Pacers -166
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 2.1, straight up 57%, 231.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Tyler Bilodeau (OUT); Egor Demin (OUT)
Pacers: Ben Sheppard (OUT); Johnny Furphy (OUT); Aaron Nesmith (GTD); Obi Toppin (GTD); Ivica Zubac (OUT); T.J. McConnell (OUT); Tyrese Haliburton (OUT)
LA Clippers at Golden State Warriors
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers +2.5 (-112) | Warriors -2.5 (-108)
Money line: Clippers +114 | Warriors -135
Total: 219.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 6.7, straight up 70%, 224.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Jordan Miller (OUT); Bradley Beal (OUT); Brandon Ingram (OUT); Max Strus (OUT); Yanic Konan Niederhauser (OUT)
Warriors: Jimmy Butler III (OUT); Gui Santos (GTD); Kristaps Porzingis (OUT); Moses Moody (OUT)
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers
9 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +4.5 (-110) | Lakers -4.5 (-110)
Money line: Raptors +160 | Lakers -192
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 5.8, straight up 67%, 224.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Kawhi Leonard (OUTOUT)
Lakers: Adou Thiero (GTD); Ziaire Williams (GTD)