Jim McCormickFeb 8, 2026, 10:20 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’s games
A quartet of early afternoon games defines this final Sunday before the All-Star break. Fantasy managers and bettors must be prepared to make early decisions.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
The first game of the slate features the New York Knicks visiting the Boston Celtics in a marquee matchup of Eastern Conference contenders that airs on ABC at 12:30 ET. Even though both teams rank in the top three in offensive rating this season, the low point total reflects expectations for slow, methodical play. After all, Boston ranks last in pace, while the Knicks sit at 23rd. As a result, it may be helpful to look at other games on the slate for streaming and DFS options.
While Nikola Vucevic settles in as a Celtic today, we won’t see Ivica Zubac just yet for the Indiana Pacers, who host the Toronto Raptors. The team is waiting for him to reach full health before returning him to action, although lottery considerations also appear to be a factor. That said, there are still some useful streaming candidates available from the Pacers, which are highlighted in the section below.
A proactive approach to today’s games could prove helpful, especially with decisions due early. 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
Will Riley, SF/SG, Washington Wizards (12.9%): A rising rookie without much fanfare, Riley has been a scoring option for the Wizards in recent games. The team clearly aims to empower prospects while keeping injured veteran stars on the bench. Riley has produced across several meaningful categories lately and should stay busy in an up-tempo matchup against the Miami Heat, who lead the league in pace.
Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, Toronto Raptors (20.3%): The Raptors need this rookie’s rim protection and defensive range to contend in an open conference. Scoring results can vary, but his defense shows up in most matchups.
Jarace Walker, PF, Indiana Pacers (10.5%): Between Walker and T.J. McConnell, there are solid streaming candidates in the Indiana rotation. Walker has scored in double figures in eight straight games while remaining productive on the boards. With the Pacers thin at forward, Walker could see plenty of action.
Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers (15.6%): With Zubac on the Pacers, Lopez becomes a critical part of the Clippers’ rotation. He set season highs in minutes and rebounds in his last outing and can thrive as a starter on a team suddenly in need of his size, rim protection and floor spacing.
McCormick’s favorite bets for Sunday
Brook Lopez OVER 9.5 points (-117)
Lopez is seeing more minutes, touches and shots for the Clippers, and should be busy today against a large Minnesota lineup. Even if the Clippers run multiple looks, they will need him to protect the rim and secure rebounds. Lopez will also be asked to open the floor and draw Rudy Gobert out in today’s matchup.
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Pascal Siakam OVER 10.5 combined assists and rebounds (-132)
A return to Toronto is always meaningful for Siakam, who won a championship with the Raptors. Toronto’s lack of a traditional center could boost Siakam’s chances on the glass. He will also handle the ball frequently as a decision-maker, increasing his passing opportunities.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8100+ salaries
Scottie Barnes, PF, Toronto Raptors ($9,300)
This bruising forward is my favorite high-end play of the slate thanks to a do-it-all role for the Raptors. The potential for a big line is always present with Barnes, but additionally so against a leaky Indiana defense that has no personnel or strategic solutions for Barnes’ size and downhill game.
$6100-$8000 salaries
Andrew Wiggins, PF, Miami Heat ($6,000)
More of a steady hand than a high-ceiling play, Wiggins brings some stability to lineups with a consistent diet of minutes and shots for Miami. Given the team’s tempo and his recent stretch of solid production, Wiggins stands out during a lean day in the middle pricing bands.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Will Riley, SF/PF, Washington Wizards ($4,800)
Finding paths to this game could prove rewarding given the potential for a high-scoring game to unfold in Washington. The Wizards have relied on Riley and Julian Champagnie and offensive cogs lately, making both solid values ahead of this matchup.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
12:30 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks +4.5 (-115) | Celtics -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Knicks +145 | Celtics -175
Total: 213.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 3.1, straight up 59%, 223.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Josh Hart, (GTD – Ankle); Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD – Eye); OG Anunoby, (GTD – Toe); Miles McBride, (OUT – Abdomen)
Celtics: Sam Hauser, (GTD – Back); Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
Miami Heat at Washington Wizards
2 p.m. ET
Line: Heat -11.5 (-110) | Wizards +11.5 (-110)
Money line: Heat -500 | Wizards +380
Total: 236.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 14.7, straight up 86%, 236.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD – Hip); Norman Powell, (GTD – Hand); Pelle Larsson, (GTD – Elbow); Tyler Herro, (OUT – Ribs); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Ankle); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Back); D’Angelo Russell, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Jaden Hardy, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Kyshawn George, (GTD – Knee); Tre Johnson, (GTD – Ankle); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OFS – Hand); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee)
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors
3 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +8.5 (102) | Raptors -8.5 (-122)
Money line: Pacers +300 | Raptors -380
Total: 225.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 5.9, straight up 67%, 227.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Elbow); Ethan Thompson, (GTD – Thumb); Micah Potter, (GTD – Hip); Ivica Zubac, (OUT – Ankle); Kobe Brown, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, (GTD – Back); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Ankle); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
LA Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves
3 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Clippers +9.5 (-118) | Timberwolves -9.5 (-102)
Money line: Clippers +295 | Timberwolves -375
Total: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 4.8, straight up 64%, 226.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Darius Garland, (OUT – Toe); Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip)
Timberwolves: Julian Phillips, (GTD – Wrist); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot)