André SnellingsMar 13, 2026, 12:02 PM ET
CloseDr. André Snellings is a senior writer for men’s and women’s fantasy basketball and sports betting at ESPN. André has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Michigan. He joined ESPN in 2017 after a 16-year career as a neural engineer, during which time he was also a writer and analyst for Rotowire.
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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
What you need to know for Friday’s games
A busy Friday night in the NBA has eight games on tap, including two matchups where both squads are vying for post-season positioning.
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The Phoenix Suns have won four straight games to move within one game of the No. 6 seed out West — and within just two games of the No. 3 seed. They go on the road to face a Toronto Raptors squad that has fallen to the No. 7 seed in the East, one game out of fifth. Both squads need this win, and the hotter team is on the road, so unsurprisingly this game has the smallest spread of the night at 4.5 points.
The second-smallest spread is for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Golden State Warriors. The Timberwolves have lost three straight games to fall to the No. 6 seed out West and they travel to face the ninth-seeded Warriors, who are sandwiched within one win each way between the LA Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s another game where both teams need the win and the road team enters as the favorite — one chock full of opportunity for strong performances.
All these and many other storylines will be on display tonight. As always, we’ll dig deeper into the action to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles of interest and DFS plays for this TGIF slate.
Dré’s fantasy stream team for Friday
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Utah Jazz (47.8% rostered in ESPN leagues): Filipowski has been a fixture in this space since assuming a full-time starting role for the Jazz. In those 11 starts, Filipowski is averaging 15.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG and 2.9 stocks over 27.1 MPG.
Daniel Gafford, C, Dallas Mavericks (47.3% rostered): Gafford has produced double-doubles in each of his last four games, averaging 17.3 PPG and 12.0 RPG over that span.
Taylor Hendricks, PF, Memphis Grizzlies (1.9% rostered): Hendricks has scored at least 17 points in three of his last five games, including a 17-point/10-rebound double-double in his last outing.
Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Jazz (10.6% rostered): Sensabaugh has started the last two games for the Jazz and scored at least 21 points in both games. In fact, Sensabaugh has scored at least 21 points in each of his last four starts dating back to January 10, averaging 26.0 PPG in those games.
Dré’s favorite bets for FridayStart a free fantasy baseball league
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Jalen Green over 19.5 points (-104)
Green has been on an absolute heater since the calendar flipped to March, scoring at least 20 points in five of his six games. Over his last four contests, he has averaged 27.5 PPG, including a season-high 36 in yesterday’s game. The Raptors have good wing defenders, but they will need to focus on slowing Devin Booker (31.8 PPG in his last five games), which should allow Green to continue to get good looks.
Dejounte Murray over 16.5 points (-107)
Murray has played well in his return from injury, scoring at least 17 points in four of his seven games so far. However, he has ramped up his play this week, scoring 19 points on Sunday then following that up with a season-high 27 on Wednesday. The New Orleans Pelicans surround Murray with finishers that opposing defenses have to respect, opening up driving lanes and open shots for the talented point guard.
Rudy Gobert over 11.5 rebounds (-135)
Gobert has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in seven of his last nine games, averaging 12.6 RPG over that span. The Warriors allow the second-most rebounds in the NBA to opposing centers, and Gobert has notched at least 14 rebounds in two of his three games against them this season.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns ($8,900): Booker has scored at least 30 points in three of his last four and at least 27 points in five straight, including 43 points in his last game. His opponents, the Raptors, rank 21st in fantasy production allowed to opposing shooting guards.
Evan Mobley, C, Cleveland Cavaliers ($8,200): Mobley has produced more than 41 fantasy points in three of his last six games. He now faces a Mavericks squad that ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing bigs.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Amen Thompson, SG, Houston Rockets ($7,800): Thompson has had more than 41 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. Tonight, he faces a Pelicans squad that ranks 24th in production allowed to his position.
Jalen Green, SG, Suns ($6,600): Green has scored at least 24 points in four straight games, including 36 in his last outing.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Rockets ($6,000): Smith is a consistent scoring threat with good defensive stats, and he’ll be facing an undersized Pelicans frontline that ranks 24th in production allowed to opposing power forwards.
Javon Small, PG, Grizzlies ($6,000): Small has notched over 29 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He will have a larger than usual role on Friday with several backcourt teammates either out or limited by injury.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +15.5 (-110) | Pistons -15.5 (-110)
Money line: Grizzlies +750 | Pistons -1200
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 12.7, straight up 83%, 232.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Cam Spencer, (GTD – Back); Cedric Coward, (GTD – Knee); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Knee); Taj Gibson, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Ty Jerome, (GTD – Calf); Walter Clayton Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Elbow); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger)
Pistons: Ausar Thompson, (GTD – Ankle); Bobi Klintman, (GTD – Coach’s Decision); Caris LeVert, (GTD – Wrist)
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -13.5 (-108) | Pacers +13.5 (-112)
Money line: Knicks -850 | Pacers +575
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 13.1, straight up 84%, 230.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Josh Hart, (GTD – Knee); Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD – Knee); Miles McBride, (OUT – Pelvis)
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Ankle); Obi Toppin, (GTD – Foot); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Knee); Quenton Jackson, (GTD – Calf); T.J. McConnell, (GTD – Hamstring); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Phoenix Suns at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +4.5 (-112) | Raptors -4.5 (-108)
Money line: Suns +154 | Raptors -185
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 1.3, straight up 54%, 220.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Grayson Allen, (GTD – Knee); Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot)
Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles, (GTD – Thumb); Scottie Barnes, (GTD – Illness); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Dallas Mavericks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -13.5 (-112) | Mavericks +13.5 (-108)
Money line: Cavaliers -800 | Mavericks +550
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 8.7, straight up 75%, 240.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Knee); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Proctor, (OUT – Quadriceps)
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +6.5 (-102) | Rockets -6.5 (-118)
Money line: Pelicans +230 | Rockets -285
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 6, straight up 68%, 228.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Bryce McGowens, (OUT – Toe)
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (GTD – Back); Jae’Sean Tate, (OUT – Knee); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves -5.5 (-115) | Warriors +5.5 (-105)
Money line: Timberwolves -230 | Warriors +190
Total: 223.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 1.6, straight up 55%, 233.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD – Thumb)
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, (GTD – Thigh); Quinten Post, (GTD – Foot); Moses Moody, (OUT – Wrist); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee)
Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +14.5 (-108) | Blazers -14.5 (-112)
Money line: Jazz +650 | Blazers -1000
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 11.2, straight up 80%, 242.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: John Konchar, (OUT – Calf); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Hip); Keyonte George, (OUT – Hamstring); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Jusuf Nurkic, (OFS – Nose); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Chicago Bulls at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +13.5 (-118) | Clippers -13.5 (-102)
Money line: Bulls +525 | Clippers -750
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 10.8, straight up 79%, 231.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Wrist); Collin Sexton, (GTD – Lower Leg); Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Foot); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Knee); Patrick Williams, (GTD – Ankle); Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Darius Garland, (OUT – Toe); John Collins, (OUT – Neck); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)