Jim McCormickJan 3, 2026, 01:10 PM ET
CloseJim McCormick is a contributing writer for fantasy football and men’s basketball at ESPN.
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.
Jump ahead
Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Saturday
On this first Saturday slate of the new year, let’s dive into an octet of intriguing NBA contests. Most of today’s games feature the coveted blend of competitive spreads and healthy point totals.
From fantasy and prop-play perspectives, high-scoring games that keep both rotations fully engaged often prove rewarding. These ingredients can elevate otherwise forgettable matchups. Take today’s meeting between the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets, for instance. The spread only slightly favors Chicago, while the total is approaching 240. Both rotations appear investable in what could be a high-scoring, competitive affair.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
Conversely, the Boston Celtics visit the LA Clippers this evening in a game that could prove, well, slow. The Celtics, for as incredible as their offensive efficiency has been, operate at the league’s slowest pace, averaging just 96.7 possessions per game. The team ranked 29th? The Clippers, at 96.8. Even though both teams can score capably, this convergence of slow-paced offenses dampens interest in the fringe members of each rotation.
Injuries also influence our view of today’s slate. How will the Chicago Bulls’ offense function without Josh Giddey at the helm? Will the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors deploy their stars today? How will the Denver Nuggets generate offense without their legendary engine in the lineup? Our task is to uncover answers to these questions.
The good news is that there are plenty of intriguing rotations to choose from today. With an eye toward identifying productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Saturday’s fantasy stream team
Jalen Smith, PF/C, Bulls (rostered in 12.0% of ESPN leagues): The Bulls have cooled after a strong start to the season. Smith, however, is just warming up. The versatile big man is proving effective on the glass and as a floor spacer for Chicago in recent games. The Bulls are missing Giddey and a few other key rotation members today, pushing more touches, rebounding chances and shots to Smith. Eligibility at the center spot only adds value.
Davion Mitchell, PG, Miami Heat (39.3% rostered): Dimes and steals. That’s what you get with Mitchell. Scoring and shooting results are merely ancillary with this throwback pure point guard. The Heat will need him today without Tyler Herro in the lineup. If you need passing production, Mitchell is your guy.
Keldon Johnson, SF/PF, San Antonio Spurs (17.3%): The likely absence of Victor Wembenyama means Johnson and his instant offense could prove important against the Portland Trail Blazers today. A pattern of scoring surges without Wemby in the lineup helps Johnson’s case as a strong plug-and-play option.
Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Chicago Bulls (14.8%): Coby White and Giddey are dealing with respective injuries. These absences boost Dosunmu’s fantasy profile; expect more creation possessions and increased scoring duties.
McCormick’s bets for Saturday
Davion Mitchell OVER 6.5 assists (-145)
The Miami Heat no longer deploy a grinding half-court offensive strategy. A reinvention of the scheme has the Heat leading the league by a wide margin in pace this season. This doesn’t mean a better offense, merely more offense. Increased touches and creation possessions for Mitchell against a Minnesota Timberwolves team without many point-of-attack defenders in the backcourt appears inviting.
Play the No. 1 fantasy game for free
Create or join a fantasy basketball league on ESPN. Your championship run starts today!
Scottie Barnes OVER 9.5 rebounds (-140)
Another somewhat pricey prop play makes the list. Barnes has consumed a center-like rate of potential rebounds in recent games. With Barnes often positioned as the key rebounder in the paint for the Toronto Raptors, his grab-and-go skill set should surface over and over against an undersized Atlanta Hawks frontcourt.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Johnson, PF, Hawks ($9,700)
Any fears over Johnson’s production suffering with Trae Young back have been qualmed. The Atlanta offense still funnels through Johnson. No matter Young’s status for tonight, Johnson is a top play given Toronto’s absence of proven rim protection. Johnson could eat in the post and as a creator from the high post against a Toronto team that is now light in the middle.
Tyrese Maxey, PG, Philadelphia 76ers ($9,500)
Jalen Brunson and Maxey meet in another pivotal matchups between these division rivals. Both guards are offensive hubs, but Maxey’s floor feels higher given his team’s need for him to deliver to remain competitive. Both make for strong plays today, with Maxey getting the advantage simply based on minutes and usage expectations.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
De’Aaron Fox, PG, Spurs ($7,900)
No Wemby means Fox should flirt with 20 shots from the floor and tons of pick-and-roll possessions. The efficiency isn’t as attractive without his superstar center, but this is offset by sheer volume for Fox in these lineup looks. It helps that the Trail Blazers have a patchworked depth chart at point guard.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Tre Jones, PG, Bulls ($5,500)
If Dosunmu has more flair as a scorer and two-way force, Jones is the steadier hand. The Bulls will likely empower Jones to run the offense often tonight. There isn’t much scoring pop to Jones’ game, but a busy box score could still surface thanks to simply having the ball in his hands all night.
Dylan Harper, PG, Spurs ($5,000)
Harper was brilliant in the Spurs’ recent matchup with the Indiana Pacers. With Harper getting more run in the wake of Wemby’s injury, and based on his own growth and trajectory, there is an identifiable upside present.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat
5 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Timberwolves -2.5 (-112) | Heat +2.5 (-108)
Money line: Timberwolves -148 | Heat +124
Total: 238.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 1.4, straight up 54%, 239.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot)
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD – Back); Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD – Thigh); Nikola Jovic, (GTD – Elbow); Pelle Larsson, (GTD – Ankle); Tyler Herro, (OUT – Toe); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: 76ers +3.5 (-112) | Knicks -3.5 (-108)
Money line: 76ers +130 | Knicks -155
Total: 233.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.2, straight up 65%, 237.0 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT – Thigh)
Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD – Illness); Landry Shamet, (GTD – Shoulder); Mitchell Robinson, (GTD – Ankle); Josh Hart, (OUT – Ankle)
Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +3.5 (-108) | Raptors -3.5 (-112)
Money line: Hawks +140 | Raptors -166
Total: 237.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 3.3, straight up 60%, 235.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Illness); Trae Young, (GTD – Quadriceps); N’Faly Dante, (OFS – Knee)
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (GTD – Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Back)
Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets +1.5 (-108) | Bulls -1.5 (-112)
Money line: Hornets +EVEN | Bulls -120
Total: 238.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 1.5, straight up 54%, 239.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Moussa Diabate, (GTD – Wrist); Ryan Kalkbrenner, (GTD – Elbow); Grant Williams, (OUT – Knee); Mason Plumlee, (OUT – Groin)
Bulls: Emanuel Miller, (GTD – Hamstring); Lachlan Olbrich, (GTD – Ankle); Trentyn Flowers, (GTD – Knee); Coby White, (OUT – Calf); Zach Collins, (OUT – Toe); Josh Giddey, (OUT – Hamstring)
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers +8.5 (-108) | Spurs -8.5 (-112)
Money line: Blazers +285 | Spurs -360
Total: 236.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 8.8, straight up 73%, 236.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Achilles); Jrue Holiday, (OUT – Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring); Blake Wesley, (OUT – Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Spurs: Harrison Ingram, (GTD – Illness); Victor Wembanyama, (GTD – Knee); Devin Vassell, (OUT – Thigh)
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -8.5 (-105) | Mavericks +8.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -340 | Mavericks +270
Total: 226.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 8.5, straight up 73%, 232.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Steven Adams, (GTD – Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot)
Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +12.5 (-115) | Warriors -12.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +455 | Warriors -625
Total: 242.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 10.3, straight up 77%, 240.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD – Toe); Keyonte George, (GTD – Illness); Lauri Markkanen, (GTD – Knee); Ace Bailey, (OUT – Hip); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, (GTD – Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (GTD – Illness); Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD – Back); Stephen Curry, (GTD – Ankle); Seth Curry, (OUT – Back)
Boston Celtics at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Celtics +1.5 (-112) | Clippers -1.5 (-108)
Money line: Celtics -102 | Clippers -118
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 0, straight up 50%, 220.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
Clippers: Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hamstring); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip)