Eric MoodyJan 27, 2026, 02:52 PM ET
CloseEric Moody is a writer for fantasy football, men’s and women’s basketball, and sports betting at ESPN. Eric joined ESPN in 2021 after working as a senior fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Prior to that, he spent much of his career as a manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company.
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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
There are seven games on Tuesday’s NBA slate, with the Milwaukee Bucks–Philadelphia 76ers being one of the biggest matchups of the night.
Editor’s Picks
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Philadelphia returns home looking to steady itself after a lopsided loss to the Charlotte Hornets, a reminder of how fragile momentum can be when injuries strip away margin for error. Joel Embiid and Paul George missed the 76ers’ last game, and it remains to be seen if they’ll be active tonight, but Tyrese Maxey should continue to be leaned on heavily to keep the offense afloat as they look to bounce back.
Milwaukee arrives shorthanded with Giannis Antetokounmpo unavailable and the Bucks searching for stability in a season that has slipped off course. Despite the absences, their shooting and ball movement give them a chance to stay dangerous against Philadelphia.
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
Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers (rostered in 52.3% of ESPN leagues): Camara’s fantasy value is driven by points and 3-pointers, but he also contributes in nearly every other statistical category. He has scored at least 34 fantasy points and played at least 30 minutes in each of his last four games. The Wizards are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, which adds to Camara’s streamer appeal.
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (33.8%): Bey has been superb in the seven games since returning from a right hip flexor strain. He has averaged 32.7 fantasy points and 30.4 minutes per game over that stretch. The Thunder aren’t an easy defensive matchup, but Bey has posted a 21% usage rate over the past seven games.
Moody’s bets for Tuesday
Karl-Anthony Towns UNDER 20.5 Points (-118)
Towns has had a challenging month, going under this line in eight of his last 10 games. During that stretch, he has averaged 12.3 field goal attempts and shot 45% from the floor in 28.0 minutes per game. The Knicks have looked better with Mitchell Robinson on the court, and while Towns should remain involved offensively, he went under this total the last time New York faced Sacramento on Jan. 14.
Isaiah Collier OVER 22.5 points and assists (-112)
Keyonte George will be held out of Tuesday’s game against the Clippers for rest purposes, which bodes well for Collier’s outlook. He cleared this line earlier in January in another game George missed and has also gone over in six of the 10 games this season in which he has played at least 27 minutes. Lauri Markkanen is listed as questionable, and Collier would benefit even further if he is ruled out.
Jonas Valanciunas to record double-double (+226)
Valanciunas is probable for Tuesday’s game against the Pistons after sitting out Friday for maintenance and is expected to return to the starting lineup with Nikola Jokic still sidelined. While Detroit presents a tough defensive matchup, Valanciunas has consistently produced when given extended minutes. This season, his per-40-minute numbers sit at 25.7 points and 14.2 rebounds.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder ($11,000): Gilgeous-Alexander is the most expensive player on Tuesday’s slate. He has scored at least 50 fantasy points in three of his last five games, including two performances of 62 or more. The Thunder are heavy favorites in this matchup, and with the Pelicans ranking 27th in defensive rating and 12th in pace, the conditions are set for a strong fantasy outing from Gilgeous-Alexander against a New Orleans team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to point guards.
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Sacramento Kings ($8,100): Sabonis is working his way back to his usual form. He has scored at least 35 fantasy points in each of his last two games but has played at least 30 minutes in only one of them. The Knicks have struggled defensively over the last 15 games ranking 24th in defensive rating. Sabonis averaged 19.1 PPG, 13.9 RPG, and 6.0 APG last season. The Kings are double-digit underdogs in this matchup, but it could be closer than the spread suggests.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Portland Trail Blazers ($7,800): Even though Sharpe is coming off a 20.8 fantasy-point performance against the Celtics on Monday night, he scored at least 36 fantasy points in each of the previous five games. He has found consistent success as a scorer and from beyond the arc, while also contributing a reasonable amount in other statistical categories. Sharpe should be in a strong position against a Wizards team that has struggled with guards all season.
Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons ($7,700): Duren’s minutes have fluctuated in recent games as the Pistons have cruised to easy wins. However, in the last game he played at least 30 minutes, he finished with 49.8 fantasy points against the Pelicans on January 21st. Duren faces a Nuggets team without Nikola Jokic that has been outrebounded significantly in recent games. This is a great spot for him.
Donovan Clingan, C, Portland Trail Blazers ($7,000): Clingan has scored at least 38 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including one performance of at least 50. This is a strong matchup against a Wizards team that ranks 29th in defensive rating and sixth in pace. Washington also allows the most fantasy points per game to centers.
Dillon Brooks, SF, Phoenix Suns ($6,500): Brooks is back in rhythm after finishing with 42.2 fantasy points against the Heat on Sunday. With Devin Booker sidelined by a right ankle injury, Brooks is positioned to see an increased usage rate. In five games without Booker this season, he has averaged 19.8 field goal attempts, including 5.6 three-point attempts, in 30.6 minutes per game. The Nets have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to small forwards.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Bobby Portis, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks ($6,000): Portis stands to be one of the main beneficiaries with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, particularly on the glass. In 14 games without Antetokounmpo this season, he has averaged 16.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 1.4 APG. He should see ample minutes against a 76ers team that ranks near the bottom of the league in rebounds allowed. Portis (49.5%) is also on the streaming radar in most formats.
Tre Johnson, PG/SG, Washington Wizards ($4,900): Johnson has scored at least 25 fantasy points in four of his last five games and has played at least 30 minutes in each. Most of his fantasy value comes from scoring, but he also contributes some rebounds and assists. The Trail Blazers are a middle-of-the-road defensive team, but Johnson should see a high usage rate in this matchup. He’s also a viable streamer (9.1%) in points leagues for managers in need.
Dylan Cardwell, C, Sacramento Kings ($4,400): Cardwell has been a force on the boards recently, which has boosted his DFS appeal. He has averaged 28.2 fantasy points and 24.4 minutes per game over his last five outings. He is worth considering as a salary-saving option who offers a high floor due to his efficiency. Cardwell (6.1%) is also on the streaming radar for managers in deeper leagues.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Portland Trail Blazers at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers -6.5 (-118) | Wizards +6.5 (-102)
Money line: Blazers -265 | Wizards +215
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 6.7, straight up 69%, 236.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Back); Duop Reath, (GTD – Foot); Blake Wesley, (OUT – Foot); Kris Murray, (OUT – Back); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Knee); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Back); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Foot); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT – Back); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Hamstring); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Sacramento Kings at New York Knicks
7 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +14.5 (-112) | Knicks -14.5 (-108)
Money line: Kings +550 | Knicks -800
Total: 226.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 15, straight up 86%, 234.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Malik Monk, (GTD – Ankle); Zach LaVine, (GTD – Back); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle)
Knicks: None reported
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
8 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks +10.5 (-118) | 76ers -10.5 (-102)
Money line: Bucks +340 | 76ers -440
Total: 219.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 4.2, straight up 62%, 229.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT – Oblique); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Calf); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Knee); Paul George, (GTD – Knee); MarJon Beauchamp, (OUT – Ankle)
New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +14.5 (-112) | Thunder -14.5 (-108)
Money line: Pelicans +575 | Thunder -850
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 16.1, straight up 88%, 234.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles)
Thunder: Cason Wallace, (GTD – Hip); Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Abdomen); Alex Caruso, (OUT – Thigh); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -7.5 (-102) | Nuggets +7.5 (-118)
Money line: Pistons -265 | Nuggets +215
Total: 214.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 8.5, straight up 74%, 231.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Caris LeVert, (OUT – Illness)
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, (GTD – Hamstring); Jonas Valanciunas, (GTD – Calf); Peyton Watson, (GTD – Ankle); Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Christian Braun, (OUT – Ankle); Nikola Jokic, (OUT – Knee); Cameron Johnson, (OUT – Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Brooklyn Nets at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +8.5 (-105) | Suns -8.5 (-115)
Money line: Nets +300 | Suns -380
Total: 210.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 9.5, straight up 76%, 218.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Cam Thomas, (GTD – Ankle); Nolan Traore, (GTD – Illness); Tyrese Martin, (GTD – Knee); Noah Clowney, (OUT – Back); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)
Suns: Jalen Green, (GTD – Hamstring); Devin Booker, (OUT – Ankle)
LA Clippers at Utah Jazz
10 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers -8.5 (-108) | Jazz +8.5 (-112)
Money line: Clippers -310 | Jazz +250
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 7.7, straight up 72%, 238.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Knee); Kris Dunn, (GTD – Ankle); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hamstring); TyTy Washington Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT – Knee); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip)
Jazz: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD – Illness); Kevin Love, (GTD – Knee); Lauri Markkanen, (GTD – Illness); Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)