Fantasy basketball picks, DFS and betting tips for Tuesday's NBA games

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 Tuesday’s games

There are seven games on Tuesday’s NBA slate, with the San Antonio Spurs–Houston Rockets matchup at Toyota Center the one that most draws my eye.

The Spurs are in the middle of the kind of rise Houston experienced last season, while the Rockets are trying to steady themselves without a true point guard and are leaning heavily on Kevin Durant. Add in the rivalry history and a close Spurs win earlier this season that helped spark their NBA Cup run, and this feels more like a tone-setting game than just another night on the schedule.

Let’s break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight’s slate.

Tuesday’s fantasy stream team

Jordan Miller, SF, LA Clippers (rostered in 11.9% of ESPN leagues)

Miller’s minutes have trended up with Kawhi Leonard sidelined because of left knee irritation, and he has responded by scoring at least 37 fantasy points in three consecutive games. He contributes across nearly every statistical category and draws a favorable matchup against a Chicago Bulls defense that ranks 24th in defensive rating this season. At $5,400, he also stands out as a strong DFS value.

De’Anthony Melton, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (3.7% rostered)

Melton should take on a larger role in the Warriors’ rotation with Jimmy Butler III out for the season with a torn right ACL. On Saturday, the last time Melton played without Butler, Melton finished with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He profiles as a strong streaming option and someone managers should consider holding for the rest of the season. He also stands out as a solid DFS value at $4,800.

Moody’s favorite bets for Tuesday

Jamal Murray OVER 36.5 points + assists (-121)

Murray has cleared this line in all five games played this season without Nikola Jokic and with Aaron Gordon in the lineup, averaging 21.6 field goal attempts, 15.8 potential assists and 38.2 minutes in such games. The Los Angeles Lakers rank 25th in defensive rating over their past 15 games, and opposing point guards have consistently found success against the Lakers, particularly as playmakers, making this a strong spot for Murray in a matchup with the second-highest total on Tuesday’s slate.

Anthony Edwards to score 35+ points (+183)

Edwards has scored at least 35 points in 47% of his 17 road games this season, averaging 21.3 field goal attempts and 9.5 3-point attempts in those contests. The Timberwolves are double-digit favorites, which could work against his ceiling, but Edwards has averaged 38.4 points per game over his past five road games against the Utah Jazz.

Jusuf Nurkic OVER 21.5 points + rebounds (-112)

Nurkic cleared this line Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs after missing the previous three games (coach’s decision), and he showed no signs of rust. He has cleared this mark in nine of his past 10 games, averaging 10.9 field goal attempts and 19.9 rebound chances over that stretch. The Minnesota Timberwolves have allowed the ninth-most points per game to centers this season, making this a favorable matchup.

Top Daily Fantasy values of the day

$8,100+ salaries

Victor Wembanyama, C, Spurs ($10,000)

Wembanyama has posted at least 59 fantasy points while playing 26 or more minutes in each of his past two games. He appears to be back to full strength, and even though the Houston Rockets are solid defensively, Wembanyama is largely matchup-proof. This sets up as a strong spot to get a slight discount on a player who could finish as one of the top performers on Tuesday’s slate.

Scottie Barnes, PF, Toronto Raptors ($9,400)

Barnes has been playing at a high level in January, averaging 41.9 fantasy points per game. The Raptors’ frontcourt continues to deal with injuries, with Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrettand Collin Murray-Boyles all ruled out for tonight’s game, which should push Barnes into a high-usage role. Barnes posted 80.2 fantasy points against the Warriors on Dec. 28.

Anthony Edwards, SG, Timberwolves ($9,200)

Edwards is coming off an exceptional 68-fantasy-point performance against the Spurs on Saturday and has averaged 48.0 fantasy points per game over his past 12 outings. He was snubbed from an All-Star starter spot and should have a chip on his shoulder in this matchup against a Jazz team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards.

Julius Randle, PF, Timberwolves ($8,200)

Randle has scored at least 41 fantasy points in three consecutive games and now faces a Jazz defense that ranks 30th in defensive rating. Utah also plays at the third-fastest pace in the league, and this matchup carries the highest total on the slate, which sets up well for Randle.

$6,100-$8,000 salaries

Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat ($7,500)

Adebayo has scored at least 31 fantasy points in five consecutive games, including two outings with at least 40, while playing at least 29 minutes in each. The matchup against Sacramento makes him particularly appealing,as the Kings have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to centers this season.

Ivica Zubac, C, Clippers ($7,000)

Zubac has been a key contributor for a Clippers team riding a six-game winning streak, averaging 31.1 fantasy points per game during that stretch. He also draws a favorable matchup against a Bulls team that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to centers this season.

Donte DiVincenzo, PG, Timberwolves ($6,700)

DiVincenzo has struggled over his past three games, averaging just 27.6 fantasy points per contest, but he remains an excellent value in this matchup. Utah has been one of the league’s worst defensive teams all season and has allowed the most fantasy points per game to point guards.

Jaden McDaniels, SF, Timberwolves ($6,200)

McDaniels is another Timberwolves player worth considering at a reasonable price in a favorable matchup. He has averaged 32.6 fantasy points per game over his past eight outings and 19.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in two meetings with the Jazz.

$3,000-$6,000 salaries

Simone Fontecchio, SF/PF, Heat ($3,300)

Fontecchio has scored at least 24 fantasy points in two consecutive games and contributes across multiple statistical categories, which boosts his DFS appeal. He also draws a favorable matchup against a Sacramento Kings team that has struggled defensively this season, ranking 27th in defensive rating.

Projections and injury reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook