Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Sunday
New this season, ESPN Analytics will also generate daily NBA fantasy projections. By combining historical player and team data and specific game factors ESPN is able to accurately predict player box score stats. Accounting for injuries, trends in playing time, and other factors impacting future performance the statistical models can be used to help NBA fantasy players gain an edge in their league.
By Steve Alexander
The Hornets will likely be without Terry Rozier after he left Saturday’s game in the fourth quarter due to a groin injury and didn’t return. Guys like Brandon Miller, Theo Maledon, Ish Smith and Bryce McGowens should all see a boost if he’s out.
Bradley Beal missed his sixth straight game on Saturday and remains questionable today against the Pistons, along with Devin Booker, who also missed Saturday’s game due to his ankle injury. There’s a chance both could play, although there’s also a chance that neither suits up.
Devin Vassell won’t play against the Raptors due to his groin injury and remains day-to-day. But, of course, all eyes will be on Victor Wembanyama and the red-hot Scottie Barnes in this 3:30 p.m. tip.
Klay Thompson (groin), Isaac Okoro (knee) and Kyrie Irving (foot) are all game-time decisions, while Scoot Henderson has been ruled out for the Blazers.
In case you missed it, Denver’s Jamal Murray, who was already iffy for Saturday with a quad injury, left the game due to hamstring tightness and didn’t return. Reggie Jackson started the second half in his place and is worth a look ahead of Denver’s three-game week that starts on Monday.
This segment nominates three key streaming options ahead of that day’s action. A streamer, by our standards, is a player available in at least half of ESPN men’s basketball leagues.
Eric Gordon, SG/SF, Suns (9.5% rostered in ESPN leagues): If Devin Booker (ankle) and Bradley Beal (back) are out again, Gordon should start and see another heavy dose of action. He played 34 minutes and scored 13 points on Saturday, while guys like Grayson Allen and Keita Bates-Diop could also be in the starting unit again if the B-Brothers are in street clothes. Gordon had a pair of 20-point games to end October and hit seven 3-pointers over that two-game span. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him have another good outing against the Pistons today.
Cedi Osman, SF, Spurs (1.9% rostered): With Devin Vassell‘s (groin) status in doubt, several Spurs will have an opportunity for extra minutes on Sunday. Tre Jones, Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham should all get a boost and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Branham get the start. But I’m most intrigued by Osman, who has scored in double figures in four of his five games this season off the bench. He also generally contributes with 3-pointers, steals and blocks and could do some damage if he can get 30 minutes.
Gary Payton II, SG, Warriors (1.6%): If Klay Thompson (groin) is out for the Dubs, Payton will have a chance for success and has been getting decent run of late. He’s played at least 20 minutes in three straight games and while he hasn’t scored much, he does have four steals, nine rebounds and three 3-pointers over that stretch. He’s not a must-have streamer by any means, but could be a sneaky play if Thompson is in street clothes.
David Roddy, PF, Grizzlies (0.6%): Roddy started over Xavier Tillman on Friday against the Blazers and played 32 minutes, finishing with 16 points and three rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting. He didn’t do anything else, but he had a blocked shot in each of his three previous games and should get plenty of minutes again in Sunday’s rematch against Portland. He also hit three 3-pointers in an earlier game this season.
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Theo Maledon, PG, Hornets (rostered in 0.1%): Maledon has done next to nothing this season and the Hornets have rarely turned to their bench for production. But Terry Rozier (groin) doesn’t appear likely to play and Maledon is the bench guard they’ve used the most thus far. He’s a long shot for success but is at least worth a look in case the Hornets turn to him, but keep an eye on who they elect to start on Sunday before making any streaming decisions.
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 Detroit Pistons
3 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Suns by 0.7 in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Suns: Bradley Beal, (GTD – Back); Devin Booker, (GTD – Ankle); Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee)
Pistons: Alec Burks, (GTD – Forearm); Monte Morris, (OUT – Quadriceps); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Ankle); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Calf)
Suns projections:
Devin Booker, SG/SF: 45.1 FPTS (26.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 41.8 FPTS (26.3 pts, 6.8 reb, 5.2 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 26.3 FPTS (10.7 pts, 7.6 reb, 3.3 ast)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 26.1 FPTS (14.5 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Grayson Allen, SG: 20.5 FPTS (8.7 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Josh Okogie, SG/SF: 15.8 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.4 ast)
Drew Eubanks, PF: 15.1 FPTS (6.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.5 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 37.8 FPTS (22.6 pts, 4.4 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Jalen Duren, C: 26.6 FPTS (11.6 pts, 10.4 reb, 2.2 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 25.2 FPTS (12.6 pts, 7.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Killian Hayes, PG: 22.4 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.8 ast)
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF: 19.8 FPTS (9.6 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.5 ast)
Alec Burks, SG: 18.9 FPTS (10.8 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 18.7 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.8 ast)
Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs
3:30 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Raptors by 3.8 in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Precious Achiuwa, (GTD – Groin); Christian Koloko, (OUT – Illness)
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (OUT – Groin)
Raptors projections:
Pascal Siakam, PF/C: 40.3 FPTS (20.9 pts, 7.5 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Scottie Barnes, SF/PF: 39.7 FPTS (18.9 pts, 8.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 1.5 blk)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 32.7 FPTS (15.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.9 ast, 1.9 3PM)
O.G. Anunoby, SF: 26.7 FPTS (13.6 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jakob Poeltl, C: 22.4 FPTS (9.5 pts, 9.0 reb, 1.2 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 19.0 FPTS (10.2 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
Chris Boucher, PF/C: 14.2 FPTS (6.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 0.7 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 33.1 FPTS (18.8 pts, 11.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 32.4 FPTS (17.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 25.5 FPTS (12.3 pts, 5.3 reb, 3.6 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 22.8 FPTS (10.8 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.1 ast)
Tre Jones, PG: 17.8 FPTS (6.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.0 ast)
Sandro Mamukelashvili, C: 17.0 FPTS (8.1 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.4 ast)
Cedi Osman, SF: 13.2 FPTS (7.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers
6 p.m. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 0.4 in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Klay Thompson, (GTD – Groin)
Cavaliers: Ricky Rubio, (OUT – Personal); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 43.4 FPTS (24.9 pts, 5.2 reb, 4.8 ast, 4.6 3PM)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 27.7 FPTS (16.7 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Chris Paul, PG: 27.1 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.5 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 24.5 FPTS (8.9 pts, 5.5 reb, 5.4 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 21.7 FPTS (14.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.3 ast)
Kevon Looney, PF/C: 19.6 FPTS (6.0 pts, 9.0 reb, 1.7 ast)
Dario Saric, PF: 16.5 FPTS (6.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.4 ast)
Cavaliers projections:
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 49.5 FPTS (28.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.2 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Darius Garland, PG: 34.3 FPTS (17.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Evan Mobley, PF/C: 31.8 FPTS (14.8 pts, 10.4 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.7 blk)
Max Strus, SG/SF: 30.9 FPTS (13.1 pts, 5.9 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Jarrett Allen, C: 29.4 FPTS (13.4 pts, 9.3 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.3 blk)
Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 24.1 FPTS (11.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 16.9 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast)
Charlotte Hornets at Dallas Mavericks
7:30 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 8.6 in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Cody Martin, (GTD – Knee); James Bouknight, (GTD – Knee); Terry Rozier, (GTD – Groin); Miles Bridges, (OUT – Suspension); Frank Ntilikina, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (GTD – Foot); Markieff Morris, (GTD – Illness); Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Toe)
Hornets projections:
Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 36.7 FPTS (19.9 pts, 3.5 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
LaMelo Ball, PG/SG: 34.4 FPTS (16.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 6.2 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Gordon Hayward, SF: 29.7 FPTS (14.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.1 ast)
P.J. Washington, PF: 29.1 FPTS (15.4 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
Mark Williams, C: 20.7 FPTS (9.5 pts, 8.1 reb, 0.8 ast)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 18.4 FPTS (9.3 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Theo Maledon, PG: 16.8 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.3 ast)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 51.5 FPTS (29.7 pts, 8.2 reb, 7.8 ast, 3.7 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 41.5 FPTS (23.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 26.1 FPTS (14.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Grant Williams, PF: 21.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 18.4 FPTS (10.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast)
Jaden Hardy, SG: 16.6 FPTS (10.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
Josh Green, SG/SF: 16.3 FPTS (8.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.4 ast)
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
9 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
BPI Projection: Blazers by 0.7 in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Achilles); Steven Adams, (OUT – Knee); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Ankle); Derrick Rose, (OUT – Knee); John Konchar, (OUT – Hip); Ja Morant, (OUT – Suspension)
Blazers: Toumani Camara, (GTD – Wrist); Ish Wainright, (OUT – Calf); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Ankle); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Thumb)
Grizzlies projections:
Desmond Bane, SG/SF: 40.4 FPTS (24.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.8 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Marcus Smart, PG/SG: 33.4 FPTS (14.3 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 31.2 FPTS (18.2 pts, 7.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 3.2 blk)
Xavier Tillman, PF/C: 19.2 FPTS (8.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Ziaire Williams, SG: 18.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.6 ast)
Luke Kennard, SG: 16.2 FPTS (7.6 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)
David Roddy, PF: 15.3 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
Blazers projections:
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF: 35.5 FPTS (21.7 pts, 5.7 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jerami Grant, PF: 32.9 FPTS (23.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 31.9 FPTS (17.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Deandre Ayton, C: 31.4 FPTS (12.0 pts, 13.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Robert Williams III, C: 15.8 FPTS (6.2 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF: 14.6 FPTS (7.1 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.9 ast)
Skylar Mays, SG: 13.3 FPTS (6.1 pts, 1.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
*NBA fantasy projections are generated by ESPN Analytics by combining historical player and team data as well as specific game factors ESPN to accurately predict player box score stats. Accounting for injuries, trends in playing time, and other factors impacting future performance the statistical models can be used to help NBA fantasy players gain an edge in their league.