Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Sunday
Complete your bracket by selecting the winner for each game of the 2024 men’s NCAA tournament. Play Men’s Tournament Challenge
Sunday features a seven-game slate that includes a pair of big matchups on ABC. The Phoenix Suns visit the Milwaukee Bucks at 1:00 p.m. on the big network as both teams try to round into playoff shape in mid-March. The Suns are the No. 6 team in the West and will try to continue to hold off the Kings and Mavericks for the coveted No. 6 seed, while the Bucks will try to stick as the No. 2 seed in the East, although they’re 9.5 games back of the top-seeded Celtics.
That game is followed up with the Denver Nuggets visiting the Dallas Mavericks at 3:30 on ABC. So to sum it up, we get Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal against Giannis Antetokounmpo (questionable/hamstring) and Damian Lillard in the first game, followed by Nikola Jokic vs. Luka Doncic (questionable/hamstring) in the second ABC game. Are you not entertained? The Nuggets have caught the Thunder for the top seed in the West, although OKC is still officially on top, while the Mavericks are just 1.0 games behind the Suns for the No. 6 seed in the West and need to win as many games as possible the rest of the way. Both of these games are going to be incredibly entertaining and should draw a ton of interest as nationally televised matchups on a Sunday when there won’t be a lot of other things going on unless you’re a big college hoops fan.
Other games happening on Sunday include the Miami Heat at the Detroit Pistons, the Toronto Raptors at the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics at the Washington Wizards, the Brooklyn Nets at the San Antonio Spurs, and the Atlanta Hawks at the Los Angeles Clippers at 9:30 p.m. to wrap up a fun day of NBA action.
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C, Raptors (Rostered in 30.3% of ESPN leagues): Olynyk has averaged 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 3-pointers on 51% shooting from the floor in his eight March games. And while the Raptors have lost most of those, Olynyk has been balling out as the only man in the middle for Toronto. Olynyk should continue to flourish for the Raptors and he’s putting up solid stat lines that register across the board in fantasy. Make sure he’s not sitting on waivers in your league.
Grayson Allen, SG, Suns (35.5%): Despite the Suns finally getting healthy, Allen remains relevant on a nightly basis, as evidenced by his relatively high rostership despite competing with superstar teammates for touches and shots. Allen continues to start for Phoenix and has scored between 14 and 28 points in five of his last six games. Over that stretch he’s averaged 18.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 4.5 3-pointers, and I don’t see the Bucks shutting him down, despite them being a decent defensive presence.
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF, Heat (14.8%): Tyler Herro has been out for his last 10 games with a right foot injury and will be re-examined next week. That should mean plenty more goodies for Robinson, who has averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 3-pointers on 45.1% shooting over his last seven games for the Heat. Add in the fact that Jimmy Butler (foot) is iffy for Sunday, and Robinson looks like a must-use fantasy player. And the fact that Robinson gets a matchup with the lowly Pistons is just icing on the cake.
Corey Kispert, SG/SF, Wizards (5.9%): Kispert had 16 points, three rebounds, one assist, three steals, three blocks and three 3-pointers in a blowout loss to the Bulls on Saturday and will look to keep it going against the defensive-minded Celtics tonight. Kispert has scored between 11 and 22 points in each of his last five games and with Deni Avdija being a late scratch with a right knee injury on Saturday, Kispert becomes nearly a must-have fantasy player at this point. Kispert is becoming a silly-season hero with consistent double-digit scoring, along with five total steals, three blocks and 11 3-pointers over his last three outings.
Complete your bracket by selecting the winner for each game of the 2024 women’s NCAA tournament. Play Women’s Tournament Challenge
Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Wizards (4.1%): If it’s too late to get Kispert, Coulibaly works as well after he had 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a 3-pointer on Saturday. He’s scored in double digits in five straight games and has averaged 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.6 3-pointers over that stretch. He’s starting and with Avdija’s injury status in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Celtics, Coulibaly is another streamer worth a look tonight.
Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics.* Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.
Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks
1:00 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
BPI Projection: Bucks in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Suns: Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee); Josh Okogie, (OUT – Abdomen)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Hamstring); Malik Beasley, (GTD – Back); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Back)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 47.0 FPTS (29.5 pts, 6.5 reb, 5.8 ast)
Devin Booker, PG/SG/PF: 46.1 FPTS (27.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 34.9 FPTS (19.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.7 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 26.2 FPTS (10.9 pts, 9.6 reb, 3.4 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 24.9 FPTS (10.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Royce O’Neale, SF: 16.6 FPTS (4.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.4 ast)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 15.9 FPTS (7.7 pts, 1.6 reb, 2.0 ast)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 48.9 FPTS (28.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 5.7 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 42.0 FPTS (24.0 pts, 4.2 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Khris Middleton, SF: 26.7 FPTS (13.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.4 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 21.4 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.3 blk)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 18.9 FPTS (9.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.2 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 18.5 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Patrick Beverley, PG: 16.2 FPTS (6.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.3 ast)
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons
3:00 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Heat in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Heat: Jimmy Butler, (GTD – Foot); Nikola Jovic, (OUT – Hamstring); Kevin Love, (OUT – Heel); Tyler Herro, (OUT – Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT – Shoulder)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD – Knee); Ausar Thompson, (OUT – Illness); Quentin Grimes, (OUT – Knee)
Heat projections:
Jimmy Butler, SF/PF: 42.0 FPTS (22.9 pts, 6.0 reb, 5.3 ast)
Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 39.8 FPTS (20.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Bam Adebayo, C: 37.4 FPTS (19.8 pts, 9.8 reb, 4.1 ast)
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF: 25.0 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF: 22.9 FPTS (11.4 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.3 ast)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 19.9 FPTS (10.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.5 ast)
Delon Wright, PG/SG: 10.9 FPTS (4.5 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.6 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 40.2 FPTS (24.6 pts, 4.6 reb, 6.9 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 30.0 FPTS (20.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.0 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 28.4 FPTS (12.6 pts, 10.5 reb, 2.5 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 24.9 FPTS (13.6 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
Simone Fontecchio, SF: 24.1 FPTS (13.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 16.2 FPTS (8.1 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.5 ast)
James Wiseman, C: 15.8 FPTS (7.0 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.0 ast)
Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks
3:30 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas
BPI Projection: Mavericks in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee)
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (GTD – Foot); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Hamstring); Brandon Williams, (OUT – Wrist); Josh Green, (OUT – Ankle)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 58.3 FPTS (26.9 pts, 11.6 reb, 7.9 ast)
Jamal Murray, PG: 42.3 FPTS (22.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 31.5 FPTS (16.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Aaron Gordon, PF: 29.2 FPTS (14.7 pts, 5.6 reb, 3.2 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (9.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.9 ast)
Christian Braun, SG: 14.7 FPTS (7.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Peyton Watson, SF: 14.0 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 0.9 ast)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 59.0 FPTS (32.7 pts, 8.5 reb, 9.0 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 47.1 FPTS (27.9 pts, 5.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 26.2 FPTS (12.4 pts, 8.7 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.0 blk)
P.J. Washington, PF: 26.2 FPTS (14.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Dante Exum, PG: 18.5 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.9 ast)
Dereck Lively II, C: 17.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 17.3 FPTS (10.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic
6:00 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando
BPI Projection: Magic in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Raptors: D.J. Carton, (OUT – Ankle); Chris Boucher, (OUT – Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Finger); RJ Barrett, (OUT – Personal); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Hand)
Magic: None reported
Raptors projections:
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 40.9 FPTS (22.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C: 32.1 FPTS (14.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.5 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 27.4 FPTS (16.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Gradey Dick, SG: 22.1 FPTS (12.8 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.7 ast)
Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 19.6 FPTS (9.7 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.2 ast)
Jontay Porter, PF: 15.6 FPTS (6.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Jordan Nwora, SF: 15.1 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.0 ast)
Magic projections:
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 39.3 FPTS (24.0 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.6 ast)
Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF: 35.3 FPTS (19.6 pts, 4.6 reb, 3.6 ast)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 24.6 FPTS (12.0 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 23.1 FPTS (11.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Cole Anthony, PG: 20.0 FPTS (9.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.8 ast)
Gary Harris, SG: 16.1 FPTS (7.7 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.2 ast)
Moritz Wagner, PF/C: 14.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.7 ast)
Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
6:00 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Ankle); Jayson Tatum, (GTD – Ankle); Derrick White, (OUT – Hand); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Hamstring)
Wizards: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Knee); Landry Shamet, (GTD – Calf); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Back); Tyus Jones, (GTD – Back); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Hip)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 50.8 FPTS (29.9 pts, 8.2 reb, 5.1 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 42.7 FPTS (25.9 pts, 5.4 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 34.5 FPTS (15.3 pts, 5.8 reb, 5.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Al Horford, PF/C: 21.1 FPTS (7.1 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.1 ast)
Sam Hauser, SF: 19.1 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 18.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.3 ast)
Xavier Tillman, PF/C: 15.7 FPTS (7.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
Wizards projections:
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 41.6 FPTS (23.9 pts, 6.7 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 29.8 FPTS (17.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 27.5 FPTS (13.9 pts, 7.4 reb, 2.7 ast)
Tyus Jones, PG: 25.5 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.4 reb, 5.0 ast)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 22.5 FPTS (11.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Richaun Holmes, PF/C: 19.9 FPTS (9.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 19.9 FPTS (9.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.6 ast)
Brooklyn Nets at San Antonio Spurs
7:00 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Nets in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Nets: Jacob Gilyard, (GTD – Undisclosed); Ben Simmons, (OUT – Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (GTD – Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee)
Nets projections:
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 36.6 FPTS (20.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Cam Thomas, SG: 34.0 FPTS (22.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 30.5 FPTS (15.8 pts, 3.3 reb, 5.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Nic Claxton, PF/C: 28.6 FPTS (12.9 pts, 9.2 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.7 blk)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 21.1 FPTS (9.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 20.9 FPTS (10.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Dennis Smith Jr., PG: 19.2 FPTS (6.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.6 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 37.3 FPTS (19.2 pts, 9.2 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.6 blk)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 36.3 FPTS (20.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Tre Jones, PG: 25.3 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.3 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 25.3 FPTS (12.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 3.0 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 22.3 FPTS (11.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.1 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 18.7 FPTS (9.3 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.4 ast)
Julian Champagnie, SG/SF: 17.6 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Atlanta Hawks at LA Clippers
9:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
BPI Projection: Clippers in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Seth Lundy, (GTD – Back); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT – Toe); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT – Toe); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT – Elbow); Trae Young, (OUT – Finger); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD – Shoulder); Norman Powell, (GTD – Lower Leg); Russell Westbrook, (OUT – Hand)
Hawks projections:
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 44.2 FPTS (23.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Jalen Johnson, SF/PF: 34.5 FPTS (15.8 pts, 8.1 reb, 3.5 ast)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 28.7 FPTS (15.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Clint Capela, C: 26.3 FPTS (12.4 pts, 9.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 26.2 FPTS (16.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Bruno Fernando, C: 18.9 FPTS (9.4 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.1 ast)
Vit Krejci, PG: 13.2 FPTS (5.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Clippers projections:
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 41.3 FPTS (22.3 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 39.6 FPTS (21.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.1 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 35.3 FPTS (15.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 6.8 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 23.4 FPTS (10.6 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.3 ast)
Bones Hyland, PG/SG: 21.7 FPTS (11.0 pts, 2.1 reb, 3.0 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 20.8 FPTS (12.4 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 18.2 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.2 ast)