André SnellingsMar 27, 2026, 02:00 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.
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 Friday’s gamesEditor’s Picks
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The sports world is jam-packed right now, with the Sweet 16 playing out in the NCAA tournament, the NHL approaching its playoffs and the MLB season officially underway. But the NBA is still going strong as well, and there are 10 games on the schedule today.
One of the featured games takes the Atlanta Hawks, winners of 14 of their last 15 and the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, to Massachusetts to face the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are fresh off a big win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, breaking their long winning streak, and they will try to cool down the scorching Hawks in similar fashion.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers run it back for the second straight game in Cleveland. The Heat won the first matchup in a blowout on Wednesday, breaking their own five-game losing streak. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, had won four straight before Wednesday and will be looking to start a new winning streak tonight.
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 tonight’s slate.
Friday’s fantasy stream team
Collin Sexton, SG/PG, Chicago Bulls (rostered in 29.7% of ESPN leagues): Sexton is a plus-scorer off the bench for the Bulls. In eight appearances this month, Sexton has averaged 20.5 PPG and 2.6 3PG in 25.3 MPG.
Jerami Grant, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (41.6%): Grant returned from a two-game absence (foot) on Wednesday with his typical 18 points and four 3-pointers in only 24 minutes of a blowout. Over his last 10 games, Grant has averaged 18.9 PPG and 3.0 3PG in 31.8 MPG.
Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers (13.2%): Lopez has combined defense and long-range shooting to amplify his production over the last week. He has at least two blocks and two 3-pointers in each of his last three games, averaging 14.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 3PG, 3.0 BPG and 1.0 SPG over that span. He has a good matchup on Friday against a friendly Pacers defense.
Julian Reese, PF, Washington Wizards (1.1%): This recommendation is assuming he plays tonight. Reese is on a two-way contract, and therefore has a limited number of games he can play. He is eligible to play in seven of the Wizards’ remaining 10 games, and it isn’t clear whether tonight will be one of those seven. However, when Reese does play, his production is explosive. On Wednesday, he started and scored 26 points with 17 rebounds. Over his last four games, spanning back to March 5, Reese has averaged 15.3 PPG and 13.0 RPG.
Dré’s favorite bets for Friday
Hawks +4.5 (-105) over Celtics
The Celtics and Hawks have split their season series so far, with both teams winning on the other’s home court. Both teams enter this game playing well, with the Celtics winning their last game over the Western top-seeded Thunder and the Hawks winning their most recent game over the Eastern Conference No. 1 Detroit Pistons. In what looks to be a competitive contest, I’ll take the Hawks with the 4.5 points. Per ESPN BPI, the Celtics should be favored — but only by 1.5 points in a close game, well within the spread.
Donovan Mitchell 39+ points, rebounds and assists (-119)
Mitchell has played well in both games against the Heat this season, averaging 28.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 6.0 APG. His strong peripheral production isn’t surprising as the Heat allow the second-most rebounds and fourth-most assists in the NBA to opposing shooting guards.
Gary Payton II over 11.5 points (-125)
Payton has scored in double-figures in nine straight games, averaging 14.0 PPG on 67.9 FG% over that span. He hasn’t missed a shot in two games, and his 16-straight made field goals going back three games is only three field goals shy of Wilt Chamberlain‘s Golden State Warriors record of 19 straight. Payton should continue to get high-efficiency looks on Friday against a friendly Wizards defense.
P.J. Washington over 13.5 points (-122)
Washington has scored 18 or more points in five of his last six games, averaging 18.3 PPG in that span. He will be relied upon to continue to produce on Friday, particularly with Daniel Gafford sidelined.
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James Harden, PG, Cavaliers ($9,200)
Harden has notched more than 40 fantasy points in five straight games, and tonight faces the fast-paced Heat, who rank 29th in the NBA in fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards.
Amen Thompson, PG, Houston Rockets ($8,200)
Thompson has averaged about 44 fantasy points in his last seven games, and has a good matchup against a friendly Grizzlies defense (26th in production allowed to opposing point guards).
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Brandon Ingram, SF/PF, Toronto Raptors ($7,800)
Ingram faces one of his old teams tonight, and the Pelicans happen to be very friendly to opposing wings (25th in fantasy production allowed).
Brice Sensabaugh, SG/SF, Utah Jazz ($6,800)
Sensabaugh is a walking bucket, plays for a Jazz team with a short bench so he tends to get minutes even in blowouts, and faces a Nuggets defense that is 29th in production allowed to his position.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Brook Lopez, C, Clippers ($4,900)
Lopez has more than 35 fantasy points in two straight games, and is averaging 33 FP/G in his last three. He has a good matchup against the Pacers, who rank 24th in fantasy production to opposing centers.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
LA Clippers at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers -8.5 (-112) | Pacers +8.5 (-108)
Money line: Clippers -380 | Pacers +300
Total: 238.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 7.9, straight up 74%, 232.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (GTD – Back); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Back); Obi Toppin, (GTD – Back); Ivica Zubac, (OFS – Ribs); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +4.5 (-108) | Celtics -4.5 (-112)
Money line: Hawks +170 | Celtics -205
Total: 225.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 1.5, straight up 55%, 223.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: None reported
Celtics: Derrick White, (GTD – Knee); Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Calf); Neemias Queta, (GTD – Thumb); Nikola Vucevic, (OUT – Finger)
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Heat +5.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -5.5 (-115)
Money line: Heat +190 | Cavaliers -230
Total: 243.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 6.6, straight up 70%, 245.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Jahmir Young, (OUT – Undisclosed); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, (GTD – Knee); Craig Porter Jr., (OUT – Groin); Dean Wade, (OUT – Ankle); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT – Toe)
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -13.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +13.5 (-110)
Money line: Rockets -850 | Grizzlies +575
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 6.7, straight up 70%, 228.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Grizzlies: Jahmai Mashack, (GTD – Ankle); Jaylen Wells, (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OFS – Calf); Ja Morant, (OFS – Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger); Santi Aldama, (OFS – Knee); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OFS – Toe); Zach Edey, (OFS – Ankle)
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Bulls +19.5 (-110) | Thunder -19.5 (-110)
Money line: Bulls +1300 | Thunder -2800
Total: 238.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 16.9, straight up 90%, 236.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Wrist); Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Ankle); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Knee); Nick Richards, (GTD – Elbow); Rob Dillingham, (GTD – Knee); Yuki Kawamura, (GTD – Quadriceps); Jaden Ivey, (OFS – Knee); Jalen Smith, (OFS – Calf); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder)
Thunder: Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +9.5 (-112) | Raptors -9.5 (-108)
Money line: Pelicans +300 | Raptors -380
Total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 5, straight up 66%, 232.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Bryce McGowens, (GTD – Toe); Dejounte Murray, (GTD – Achilles); Trey Murphy III, (GTD – Ankle)
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Foot)
Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +18.5 (-112) | Nuggets -18.5 (-108)
Money line: Jazz +1000 | Nuggets -1800
Total: 248.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 19.5, straight up 93%, 246.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Kyle Filipowski, (GTD – Illness); Isaiah Collier, (OUT – Hamstring); Keyonte George, (OUT – Hamstring); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Hip); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Jusuf Nurkic, (OFS – Nose); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Nuggets: None reported
Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +13.5 (-102) | Warriors -13.5 (-118)
Money line: Wizards +650 | Warriors -1000
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 14.4, straight up 86%, 235.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Toe); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Heel); Tre Johnson, (GTD – Foot); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD – Back); Trae Young, (OUT – Quadriceps); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Warriors: Al Horford, (OUT – Calf); Quinten Post, (OUT – Foot); Seth Curry, (OUT – Thigh); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee); Moses Moody, (OFS – Knee)
Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Mavericks +10.5 (-110) | Blazers -10.5 (-110)
Money line: Mavericks +360 | Blazers -470
Total: 239.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 5.2, straight up 66%, 239.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Caleb Martin, (OUT – Heel); Daniel Gafford, (OUT – Shoulder); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
Blazers: Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Vit Krejci, (GTD – Calf); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +15.5 (-102) | Lakers -15.5 (-118)
Money line: Nets +950 | Lakers -1650
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 15.2, straight up 88%, 221.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Noah Clowney, (GTD – Wrist); Danny Wolf, (OUT – Ankle); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot)
Lakers: Luka Doncic, (GTD – Hamstring); Nick Smith Jr., (GTD – Back); Rui Hachimura, (GTD – Calf); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Ankle)