Eric MoodyOct 31, 2025, 12:08 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.
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 | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Friday’s games
Happy Halloween!
Friday night’s eight-game slate tips off the Emirates NBA Cup in-season tournament. Last season, teams tended to tighten their rotations and lean heavily on their superstars in these games. It remains to be seen if coaches will take a similar approach this season, but it’s something worth keeping an eye on.
The game I’m most looking forward to is the matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets. Portland has won three of its last four and is playing at one of the fastest paces in the league, led by Deni Avdija‘s breakout season and the steady play of Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe. Denver, meanwhile, looks dominant once again behind Nikola Jokic‘s four straight triple-doubles and Jamal Murray‘s scoring surge. This one should be a fast-paced, high-level battle between an improving young team and a championship contender hitting its stride.
Let’s break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight’s slate.
Friday’s fantasy stream teamPlay the No. 1 fantasy game for free
Create or join a fantasy basketball league on ESPN. Your championship run starts today!
RayJ Dennis, PG, Indiana Pacers (rostered in 0.1% of ESPN leagues): The Pacers have been decimated by injuries and have had to lean on Dennis — and he’s delivered with 32-plus fantasy points in back-to-back games. The undrafted rookie is making a name for himself and fantasy managers should take note of his streaming appeal as a reliable source of both points and assists. Dennis is in a great spot against the Atlanta Hawks.
Josh Minott, SF, Boston Celtics (17.1%): Minott has started the last two games for the Celtics and has scored 38-plus fantasy points in each. He’s an excellent streaming option because he contributes across nearly every statistical category and has proven to be a strong defender. Minott should continue to be an important part of Boston’s rotation against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Collin Gillespie, PG, Phoenix Suns (12.9%): Jalen Green‘s injury has created an offensive void for the Suns and Gillespie has helped fill it. He’s played 30-plus minutes and scored 42-plus fantasy points in both of the last two games. Gillespie’s ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories — much like Minott — makes him a phenomenal streaming option.
Moody’s favorite bets for FridayEditor’s Picks
1 Related
Pascal Siakam over 41.5 points, rebounds and assists (-110) and to record a triple double (+1200)
The Pacers are dealing with several injuries and don’t have many players besides Siakam who can create offense, so he should carry a massive workload against the Hawks. Siakam has surpassed this line in three out of five games this season and holds a 32.1% usage rate. He’s averaging 35.8 MPG with 16.0 rebound chances and 13.0 potential assists per game. There’s upside in every category against a Hawks team that ranks near the bottom of the league in defensive rating.
Knicks at Bulls under 233.5 (-110)
This matchup sets up well for the under, given the early-season trends. The Bulls rank near the top of the league in defensive rating and have held opponents to the fewest threes per game. Meanwhile, the Knicks have struggled offensively, shooting just 33% from deep and scoring only 40 second-half points in their last outing. Both teams play at a slower tempo and Chicago will likely try to control the pace and limit perimeter looks. This matchup has the makings of a low-scoring affair.
Jrue Holiday over 27.5 points, rebounds, and assists (-110)
Holiday is off to a strong start this season, clearing this line in three of five games while averaging 32.8 PRAs per game. He’s logged 32.8 MPG, and his 9.8 rebound chances, 13.4 potential assists and 25.1% usage rate are all encouraging signs. The matchup against the Nuggets is also favorable, as Denver has struggled to contain point guards and allows the seventh-most points per game to the position.
Lauri Markkanen over 34.5 points, rebounds and assists (-110)
Markkanen has been outstanding this season, clearing this line in three of four games. He’s averaging 38.2 MPG with a 29.0% usage rate, and his 21.8 FGA, 10.5 rebound chances, and 5.3 potential assists per game all point to strong involvement. While Markkanen is unlikely to replicate his 51-point performance from Monday, even with defensive adjustments, the Suns remain undersized which makes it difficult for them to contain him.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks -2.5 (-110) | Pacers +2.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks -140 | Pacers +120
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 3.4, straight up 60%, 240.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Trae Young, (OUT – Knee)
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles); Johnny Furphy, (GTD – Foot); Taelon Peter, (GTD – Groin); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT – Shoulder); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT – Toe); Kam Jones, (OUT – Back); T.J. McConnell, (OUT – Hamstring); Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot)
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics +2.5 (-115) | 76ers -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Celtics +110 | 76ers -130
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 3.1, straight up 60%, 230.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
76ers: Paul George, (OUT – Knee); Dominick Barlow, (OUT – Elbow); Jared McCain, (OUT – Thumb)
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +7.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Raptors +240 | Cavaliers -290
Total: 238.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 7.3, straight up 70%, 239.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Back)
Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell, (GTD – Hamstring); Jarrett Allen, (GTD – Finger); Darius Garland, (OUT – Toe); Sam Merrill, (OUT – Hip); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -5.5 (-105) | Bulls +5.5 (-115)
Money line: Knicks -195 | Bulls +165
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 3.1, straight up 59%, 232.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Knee); Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD – Quadriceps); Mitchell Robinson, (GTD – Ankle)
Bulls: Coby White, (OUT – Calf); Zach Collins, (OUT – Wrist)
Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +2.5 (-110) | Grizzlies -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Lakers +115 | Grizzlies -135
Total: 237.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 2.6, straight up 58%, 235.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Luka Doncic, (GTD – Finger); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Quadriceps); Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Oblique); Gabe Vincent, (OUT – Ankle); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee); LeBron James, (OUT – Back)
Grizzlies: Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf)
Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +3.5 (-115) | Suns -3.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +125 | Suns -145
Total: 237.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 2.3, straight up 57%, 242.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Isaiah Collier, (OUT – Hamstring); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot)
Suns: Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Groin); Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring)
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -4.5 (-110) | Blazers +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets -200 | Blazers +170
Total: 239.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 4.2, straight up 63%, 241.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Cameron Johnson, (GTD – Shoulder); Jamal Murray, (GTD – Calf)
Blazers: Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles); Kris Murray, (GTD – Illness); Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Shaedon Sharpe, (GTD – Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring)
New Orleans Pelicans at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +11.5 (-110) | Clippers -11.5 (-110)
Money line: Pelicans +400 | Clippers -600
Total: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 11.1, straight up 79%, 222.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles); Kevon Looney, (GTD – Knee)
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (OUT – Hamstring); Kobe Sanders, (OUT – Knee)