Jim McCormickFeb 1, 2026, 10:15 AM ET
CloseJim McCormick is a contributing writer for fantasy football and men’s basketball at ESPN.
Multiple Authors
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 | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Sunday
While the NFL has the Pro Bowl Games today, the NBA has actual pro basketball games — 10 of them, in fact. During such a large slate, it helps to use betting metrics and injury reports to identify the most optimistic offensive environments around the league.
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A few potential blowouts carry the dreaded combination of huge spreads and low point totals. The proverbial red-flag games include three early matchups, all of which feature spreads of at least 10.5 points. The potential for heavy favorites to dominate makes it more challenging to project minutes and roles on both sides of these matchups.
The Phoenix Suns host the LA Clippers in a game with a sluggish total of just 213.5 points. When a total is dramatically lower than the rest of the slate, it can be rewarding to fade such contests for DFS and fantasy purposes.
The most impactful injury news of the day begins with the likely return of scoring guard Austin Reaves for the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers visiting Madison Square Garden, it will be interesting to see the workload Reaves takes on as he returns from an extended absence.
With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Sunday’s fantasy stream team
Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Chicago Bulls (rostered in 30.3% of ESPN leagues): Carrying the Chicago offense at times in recent stretches, Dosunmu is fresh off an offensive opus against the Miami Heat on Saturday. The good news? The Bulls play the Heat again today in a back-to-back series. With multiple starters missing for Chicago, Dosunmu has answered the call.
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Egor Demin, PG, Brooklyn Nets (29.4% rostered): The Nets’ volume-based approach in the recent draft was unique, and it may prove worthwhile. Demin is emerging as a productive creator for this patchworked roster. The Detroit Pistons are strong defensively, but the appeal here lies in Demin’s blend of minutes and touches.
Pelle Larsson, SG, Heat (5.8%): The Heat continue to churn out meaningful role players from the fringes of the league. Larsson has been larcenous lately, recording eight steals across his past three games. He’s also peaking offensively, signaling that it’s time to trust him again in a familiar matchup with the Bulls.
Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, Toronto Raptors (15.9%): The cool kids call him “CMB.” I call him a great addition to your fantasy team amid a leap in playing time and production. The young, versatile big man doesn’t score much, but he gets his hands on the ball defensively and is being empowered by the coaching staff ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Utah Jazz.
McCormick’s bets for Sunday
Ayo Dosunmu OVER 21.5 total points + assists (-120): Building on the streaming endorsement, Dosunmu offers recent precedent for success in this matchup. The Heat are missing their best point-of-attack defender, and with Chicago’s league-leading pace, both Dosunmu and the Bulls should benefit from added possessions.
Kyshawn George OVER 18.5 points (-117): The Washington Wizards are without Trae Young and are clearly interested in letting their young players learn on the floor. George should have the ball in his hands at a rewarding rate today. The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, offer little resistance as one of the weaker perimeter defenses in the league.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Cade Cunningham, PG, Detroit Pistons ($9,600): Even with Detroit playing on Saturday, this matchup with the Nets remains inviting. Yes, there are blowout concerns. The counter is the ceiling that Cunningham brings, one that could still surface even if he rests late in the game.
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Jalen Brunson, PG, New York Knicks ($8,300): A gifted three-level scorer who has seen his price dip due to a recent shooting slump, Brunson could be a slate-winning player tonight against the Lakers. Los Angeles isn’t known for defensive footspeed, while Brunson has multiple ways to create his own looks.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF/PF, Heat ($6,100): A versatile downhill driver who can rack up point guard-like passing numbers, Jaquez should serve a big role as an offensive engine for second units tonight for Miami.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Egor Demin, PG, Nets ($5,000): This aforementioned lead guard has the usage profile and recent production to trust as a key value in DFS lineups. Paying down at guard for Demin could allow for investments in the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes at forward.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Bucks +13.5 (-112) | Celtics -13.5 (-108)
Money line: Bucks +490 | Celtics -675
Total: 217.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 10.9, straight up 78%, 223.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Gary Harris, (GTD – Hamstring); Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT – Oblique); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Calf); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
Brooklyn Nets at Detroit Pistons
6 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +12.5 (-105) | Pistons -12.5 (-115)
Money line: Nets +500 | Pistons -700
Total: 215.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 11.8, straight up 80%, 218.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Noah Clowney, (OUT – Back); Ziaire Williams, (OUT – Calf); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)
Pistons: Tolu Smith, (GTD – Calf); Cade Cunningham, (GTD – Hip); Caris LeVert, (GTD – Illness)
Utah Jazz at Toronto Raptors
6 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +10.5 (-105) | Raptors -10.5 (-115)
Money line: Jazz +380 | Raptors -500
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 10.8, straight up 78%, 242.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD – Illness); Kevin Love, (GTD – Illness); Keyonte George, (GTD – Ankle); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot); Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Back); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat
6 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +4.5 (-115) | Heat -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Bulls +142 | Heat -170
Total: 235.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 5.8, straight up 66%, 243.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Coby White, (GTD – Calf); Jalen Smith, (GTD – Calf); Josh Giddey, (GTD – Hamstring); Tre Jones, (OUT – Hamstring); Zach Collins, (OUT – Toe); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder)
Heat: Davion Mitchell, (GTD – Shoulder); Norman Powell, (GTD – Personal); Tyler Herro, (GTD – Ribs); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Sacramento Kings at Washington Wizards
6 p.m. ET
Line: Kings -2.5 (-110) | Wizards +2.5 (-110)
Money line: Kings -135 | Wizards +114
Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Kings by 1.9, straight up 56%, 235.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Dario Saric, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Keon Ellis, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Malik Monk, (GTD – Heel); Russell Westbrook, (GTD – Foot); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Calf); Tre Johnson, (OUT – Ankle); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Hamstring); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Orlando Magic at San Antonio Spurs
7 p.m. ET
Line: Magic +5.5 (-102) | Spurs -5.5 (-118)
Money line: Magic +185 | Spurs -225
Total: 225.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 4.5, straight up 63%, 228.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT – Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)
Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, (GTD – Quadriceps)
Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks
7 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Lakers +4.5 (-110) | Knicks -4.5 (-110)
Money line: Lakers +154 | Knicks -185
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 6.6, straight up 68%, 232.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (GTD – Calf); Bronny James, (GTD – Lower Leg); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee)
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., (GTD – Calf); Miles McBride, (OUT – Ankle)
LA Clippers at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers -1.5 (-108) | Suns +1.5 (-112)
Money line: Clippers -120 | Suns +EVEN
Total: 213.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 0.5, straight up 51%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT – Knee); TyTy Washington Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip)
Suns: Jalen Green, (GTD – Hip); Devin Booker, (OUT – Ankle)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Portland Trail Blazers
9 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -3.5 (102) | Blazers +3.5 (-122)
Money line: Cavaliers -162 | Blazers +136
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 7.1, straight up 69%, 239.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Darius Garland, (OUT – Toe); Evan Mobley, (OUT – Calf); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot); De’Andre Hunter, (GTD – Not Injury Related)
Blazers: Blake Wesley, (GTD – Foot); Deni Avdija, (GTD – Back); Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Jrue Holiday, (OUT – Personal); Kris Murray, (OUT – Back); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Knee); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles); Duop Reath, (OFS – Foot)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets
9:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Thunder -7.5 (-110) | Nuggets +7.5 (-110)
Money line: Thunder -265 | Nuggets +215
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 10, straight up 76%, 234.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Abdomen); Alex Caruso, (OUT – Thigh); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Nuggets: Christian Braun, (GTD – Ankle); Jamal Murray, (GTD – Hip); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Knee); Cameron Johnson, (OUT – Knee); Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)