Jim McCormickFeb 7, 2026, 11:30 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 Saturday’s games
On the eve of Super Bowl LX, the NBA is loaded with 10 games. As the dust settles from an active trade deadline, we await a series of intriguing debuts on this first Saturday of February.
The Utah Jazz will show off their new-look roster with Jaren Jackson Jr. as a defensive anchor and floor-spacer in a matchup with the Orlando Magic. How will “JJJ” produce outside of Memphis now that he’s no longer the clear top offensive option?
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
James Harden wanted to join a contender, and the Cleveland Cavaliers had a need for a durable creator. Will Harden suit up Saturday for the Cavaliers against the Sacramento Kings?
You’ll notice “not injury related” as a key designation today relating to trades on several injury reports. Keep an eye on the official lineups closer to tip-off for clarity on several pending scenarios. If Harden is cleared to play, this could be a fun debut against a porous defense.
Might we see Jared McCain debut for an Oklahoma City Thunder team missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for several games? We won’t see Kristaps Porzingis just yet for the Golden State Warriors, but an emergent wing on the team makes the cut in our streaming section.
There are also smaller rotation shifts worth monitoring in deeper leagues. Who will suddenly earn more minutes for this depleted Dallas Mavericks roster? Will Ayo Dosunmu prove relevant for the Minnesota Timberwolves? Can Jaden Ivey build on a strong first showing with the Chicago Bulls?
With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Saturday’s fantasy stream team
Jaden Ivey, SG/PG, Chicago Bulls (rostered in 15.6% of ESPN leagues): Speaking of Ivey, the Bulls empowered him immediately with 33 minutes and high usage in his debut with the club this past Thursday. It will be far more telling how Ivey produces with Josh Giddey in the lineup, but the absences of Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White are sure to help.
Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (12.2% rostered): While he didn’t get his father’s size, he does have a good bit of his floor game on offense. Which is to say, Pippen Jr. can create and make plays for his teammates. Memphis will need Pippen to inject veteran savvy and offensive organization into the rotation now that Jaren Jackson Jr. is no longer on the team.
Will Riley, SF/SG, Washington Wizards (3.9%): A first-round rookie who has flown under the radar recently, Riley is earning big minutes with real results lately. The Wizards have a long injury report today, one that signals plenty of minutes and touches for Riley. With a blend of scoring, rebounding and even some playmaking, Riley is a fun plug-and-play option for as long as this surge lasts.
Gui Santos, SF, Golden State Warriors (6.4%): Somewhat like Riley, a depleted Golden State roster has vaulted Santos into a meaningful starting role. With a blend of scoring, defense and creation defining his fantasy profile, Santos is on the fantasy radar for tonight’s matchup with the rival Los Angeles Lakers.
McCormick’s favorite bets for Saturday
Kevin Durant OVER 23.5 points (-121)
A return to Oklahoma City no longer has the drama it once did for Durant. It does, however, remain an important stop for Houston’s aim of being real contenders. Houston needs Durant’s scoring and especially his ability to produce late in the shot clock. The opportunity rates should be there for Durant to flirt with this scoring mark.
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Kelly Oubre Jr. OVER 4.5 rebounds (-150)
The Philadelphia 76ers won’t have Paul George in the lineup until late March due to a suspension. This means Oubre needs to help cover both forward spots at times for Philadelphia. This role includes an uptick in rebounding opportunities. The 76ers will need Oubre’s energy and length against a Suns team stocked with perimeter talent and grit.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks ($10,900): With Luka Doncic sidelined with a hamstring injury and Nikola Jokic nearly $1,000 more on today’s DraftKings market, Johnson stands out as the top value of the elite options. The Hornets have been relatively awesome on both sides of the floor in 2026, but still don’t have the personnel to slow down Johnson and his do-it-all game.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Austin Reaves, PG/SG, Los Angeles Lakers ($7,900): A buck of epic proportions, Reaves can score with the best of them. Now that Doncic is ailing, Reaves becomes the clear top scorer for a Lakers team built on high-usage playmakers. The Warriors, meanwhile, are reshuffling after a busy deadline.
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Orlando Magic ($6,800): Arriving just in time for the Magic, Black’s emergence as an impact creator has been massive for a franchise that has struggled on offense for years. The pitch with Black isn’t just buckets, rather his ability to produce across several categories. The Jazz, meanwhile, remain small in the backcourt.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Anfernee Simons, SG, Chicago Bulls ($5,300): Ivey likely has more legs as a long-term fantasy option, while Simons might have the more impressive scoring ceiling. With a confirmed role as a scoring threat for Chicago, Simons is a pay-down option with real upside for today’s meeting with Denver.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets
3 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +5.5 (-102) | Nets -5.5 (-118)
Money line: Wizards +190 | Nets -230
Total: 219.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Nets by 8.4, straight up 74%, 222.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Ankle); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Back); Kyshawn George, (GTD – Knee); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Jaden Hardy, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Tre Johnson, (OUT – Ankle); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OFS – Hand); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee)
Nets: None reported
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Rockets +2.5 (-108) | Thunder -2.5 (-112)
Money line: Rockets +120 | Thunder -142
Total: 214.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 4, straight up 62%, 220.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate, (OUT – Wrist); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Thunder: Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Abdomen); Jalen Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (OUT – Abdomen); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs
6 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Mavericks +9.5 (-108) | Spurs -9.5 (-112)
Money line: Mavericks +320 | Spurs -410
Total: 230.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 8.2, straight up 73%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Khris Middleton, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Tyus Jones, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot)
Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, (GTD – Back); Jeremy Sochan, (GTD – Quadriceps); Luke Kornet, (GTD – Ankle); Lindy Waters III, (OUT – Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +7.5 (-115) | Magic -7.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +235 | Magic -290
Total: 237.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 10, straight up 77%, 243.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Kevin Love, (GTD – Illness); Keyonte George, (GTD – Ankle); Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT – Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -1.5 (-115) | Hawks +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Hornets -130 | Hawks +110
Total: 231.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 1.2, straight up 54%, 235.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, (GTD – Illness); Malaki Branham, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Coby White, (OUT – Calf)
Hawks: Buddy Hield, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Gabe Vincent, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Onyeka Okongwu, (GTD – Mouth); Jonathan Kuminga, (OUT – Knee)
Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -5.5 (-112) | Bulls +5.5 (-108)
Money line: Nuggets -218 | Bulls +180
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 4.9, straight up 64%, 243.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Cameron Johnson, (GTD – Knee); Christian Braun, (GTD – Ankle); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Ankle); Spencer Jones, (OUT – Concussion); Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Peyton Watson, (OUT – Hamstring); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Bulls: Jalen Smith, (GTD – Calf); Josh Giddey, (OUT – Hamstring); Tre Jones, (OUT – Hamstring); Zach Collins, (OUT – Toe); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder)
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Warriors +2.5 (-102) | Lakers -2.5 (-118)
Money line: Warriors +124 | Lakers -148
Total: 220.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 1, straight up 53%, 229.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, (GTD – Illness); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Achilles); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Seth Curry, (OUT – Back); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee)
Lakers: Luke Kennard, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee); Luka Doncic, (OUT – Hamstring)
Philadelphia 76ers at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +1.5 (-110) | Suns -1.5 (-110)
Money line: 76ers +102 | Suns -122
Total: 223.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 1.2, straight up 54%, 229.2 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Knee); Paul George, (OUT – Suspension)
Suns: Devin Booker, (GTD – Ankle); Jalen Green, (GTD – Hip); Grayson Allen, (OUT – Knee); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Shoulder)
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +8.5 (-110) | Blazers -8.5 (-110)
Money line: Grizzlies +285 | Blazers -345
Total: 234.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 0.8, straight up 52%, 234.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson, (GTD – Illness); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Knee); Ty Jerome, (GTD – Calf); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Elbow); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle)
Blazers: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Back); Kris Murray, (GTD – Back); Shaedon Sharpe, (GTD – Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Knee); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -12.5 (-105) | Kings +12.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers -650 | Kings +470
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 11.2, straight up 80%, 237.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (GTD – Ankle); James Harden, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Evan Mobley, (OUT – Calf); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
Kings: De’Andre Hunter, (GTD – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (GTD – Back); Keegan Murray, (OUT – Ankle)