Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Tuesday
Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone made a funny quip during a recent preview of his team’s matchup with the Utah Jazz, noting that his own team didn’t even know who Brice Sensabaugh was. Fantasy managers, however, should get to know the Utah Jazz rookie forward.
Rostered in shy of one percent of ESPN men’s basketball leagues, Sensabaugh is slated to start for the Jazz once again due to injuries to Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks. He is in a good spot to produce against the Boston Celtics tonight and has scored at least 15 points in each of his past two starts, including one double-double,
While Utah is positioned as sizable home underdogs (+6.5 at ESPN BET), rising rookies such as Sensabaugh and Keyonte George (14.1% rostered) help make this a compelling contest for fantasy managers in need of fortification early in the week.
That game comprises just one of Tuesday’s seven contests, the first of which tips-off at Madison Square Garden as the Philadelphia 76ers face the New York Knicks. Two impact players are set to return to the court in this one, with Tyrese Maxey scheduled to return from a multi-game absence, while New York’s OG Anunoby returns from elbow surgery that sidelined him for weeks. It will be interesting to see how the Knicks’ rotation plays with Anunoby back, and how playing time shifts for Josh Hart and possibly Precious Achiuwa.
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A Midwest battle unfolds in Oklahoma City between the Thunder and Indiana Pacers, one that could see Aaron Nesmith (8.5%) play a large role with Bennedict Mathurin lost for the season. For the Thunder, Jalen Williams could miss another game, vaulting Cason Wallace (1.3%) into a meaningful role.
The evening concludes with two meaningful matchups, as the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the LA Clippers with Rudy Gobert questionable. The ascent of Naz Reid (52.9%) is a major fantasy factor for this game. The stretch big already a must-add player. More on him below.
The nightcap sees the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Sacramento Kings in a rare matchup of gifted offensive rosters, which explains the high total of 235.5 points at ESPN BET. The paths to streaming in this one aren’t so clear given the top-heavy nature of each rotation, but those in need of shooting can seek out Malik Beasley (8.3%) and those who dig volume scoring in shallow leagues have Malik Monk (67.3%) on tap.
Naz Reid, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves (Rostered in 52.9% of ESPN leagues)
With 59 points, 12 3-pointers, and six swats over his past two games, it’s clear that Reid is ready to assume a larger role for the Wolves. The question is whether the small-ball Clippers can handle his impressive two-way game.
Keyonte George, PG/SG, Utah Jazz (14.1%)
George has averaged 30 PPG across his past two full games, signaling newfound scoring bandwidth that wasn’t so clear earlier in the year. He is an empowered rookie on a fun offense and should be busy against Boston this evening.
Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Washington Wizards (47.9%)
Avdija has posted a series of impressive double-doubles since the All-Star break and is thriving as a major rebounding force for the Wizards. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, lack both size and depth in their frontcourt.
Aaron Nesmith, SF, Indiana Pacers (8.5%)
The absence of Mathurin’s high-usage, shot-happy profile should afford Nesmith more work in the remaining weeks. This matchup could also be more favorable if Williams and his defensive prowess are sidelined for the Thunder.
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.
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET, Madison Square Garden, New York
BPI Projection: Knicks in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
76ers: Robert Covington, (OUT – Knee); De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Back); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee)
Knicks: OG Anunoby, (GTD – Elbow); Julius Randle, (OUT – Shoulder); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle)
76ers projections:
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 42.3 FPTS (24.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.6 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 36.1 FPTS (18.0 pts, 6.4 reb, 3.2 ast)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF: 24.8 FPTS (14.1 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
Kyle Lowry, PG: 20.6 FPTS (6.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 4.0 ast)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 19.2 FPTS (6.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Paul Reed, PF/C: 18.1 FPTS (7.7 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
Cameron Payne, PG: 15.8 FPTS (7.0 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.5 ast)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG: 40.3 FPTS (24.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 5.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 35.4 FPTS (19.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.5 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 33.3 FPTS (13.7 pts, 7.6 reb, 4.7 ast)
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C: 28.2 FPTS (15.3 pts, 8.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Bojan Bogdanovic, SF/PF: 18.7 FPTS (12.1 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C: 18.6 FPTS (7.8 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.0 ast)
Miles McBride, PG: 13.8 FPTS (6.6 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.5 ast)
Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET, FedExForum, Memphis
BPI Projection: Wizards in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Richaun Holmes, (GTD – Toe); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Calf); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT – Back); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Hip)
Grizzlies: John Konchar, (GTD – Ankle); Jordan Goodwin, (GTD – Achilles); Lamar Stevens, (GTD – Hip); Scotty Pippen Jr., (GTD – Back); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OUT – Quadriceps); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT – Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT – Wrist); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Achilles); Desmond Bane, (OUT – Ankle); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Finger)
Wizards projections:
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 44.9 FPTS (26.3 pts, 6.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 37.2 FPTS (19.2 pts, 8.8 reb, 4.1 ast)
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 32.4 FPTS (18.2 pts, 3.0 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Tyus Jones, PG: 32.0 FPTS (14.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.8 ast)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 24.7 FPTS (13.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 19.6 FPTS (9.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Richaun Holmes, PF/C: 14.8 FPTS (6.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 0.9 ast)
Grizzlies projections:
Santi Aldama, PF/C: 30.3 FPTS (15.3 pts, 6.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Luke Kennard, SG: 27.9 FPTS (14.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.4 ast, 3.1 3PM)
GG Jackson, PF: 25.0 FPTS (16.4 pts, 5.0 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jake LaRavia, PF: 24.4 FPTS (14.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.5 ast)
Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 23.7 FPTS (12.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.7 ast)
John Konchar, SG/SF: 21.3 FPTS (7.4 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.3 blk)
Lamar Stevens, PF: 19.3 FPTS (11.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.0 ast)
Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
BPI Projection: Thunder in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Doug McDermott, (OUT – Calf); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT – Shoulder)
Thunder: Jalen Williams, (GTD – Ankle)
Pacers projections:
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 42.5 FPTS (20.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 8.3 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Pascal Siakam, PF/C: 38.4 FPTS (21.7 pts, 7.0 reb, 4.3 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 26.7 FPTS (15.4 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.5 blk)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 22.7 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.0 reb, 4.0 ast)
Aaron Nesmith, SF: 20.5 FPTS (10.8 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.2 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 15.6 FPTS (6.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 3.2 ast)
Obi Toppin, PF: 14.5 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.9 ast)
Thunder projections:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG: 49.5 FPTS (28.8 pts, 5.4 reb, 6.0 ast)
Jalen Williams, SG/SF/PF: 33.6 FPTS (18.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.1 ast)
Chet Holmgren, PF/C: 32.5 FPTS (14.8 pts, 8.4 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.1 blk)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 22.4 FPTS (9.3 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.4 ast)
Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 20.4 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Gordon Hayward, SF: 15.7 FPTS (7.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.5 ast)
Isaiah Joe, SG: 14.0 FPTS (6.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 0.8 ast)
Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs
8:30 p.m. ET, Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Rockets in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Cam Whitmore, (OUT – Knee); Alperen Sengun, (OUT – Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT – Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (OUT – Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee)
Rockets projections:
Fred VanVleet, PG: 39.3 FPTS (17.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 6.8 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jalen Green, SG: 39.1 FPTS (23.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 32.6 FPTS (17.6 pts, 9.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 25.2 FPTS (14.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Amen Thompson, SG: 23.1 FPTS (10.3 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.3 ast)
Aaron Holiday, PG: 13.7 FPTS (6.7 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Jock Landale, C: 13.3 FPTS (6.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 0.9 ast)
Spurs projections:
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 39.4 FPTS (22.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 36.0 FPTS (19.1 pts, 9.1 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.7 blk)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 23.7 FPTS (12.3 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.6 ast)
Tre Jones, PG: 23.3 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.3 reb, 5.1 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 23.1 FPTS (12.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.4 ast)
Malaki Branham, SG: 18.9 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.4 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 18.2 FPTS (9.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.4 ast)
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET, Delta Center, Salt Lake City
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Al Horford, (NA – Rest); Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Knee); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Hamstring); Svi Mykhailiuk, (GTD – Personal); Jordan Walsh, (OUT – Illness)
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Quadriceps); Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Toe)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 48.0 FPTS (26.5 pts, 7.6 reb, 4.9 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 39.1 FPTS (22.6 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 28.8 FPTS (11.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 28.1 FPTS (16.0 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.5 blk)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 27.1 FPTS (10.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.6 ast)
Xavier Tillman, PF/C: 13.5 FPTS (6.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 10.6 FPTS (3.6 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.2 ast)
Jazz projections:
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 34.5 FPTS (18.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.7 ast)
John Collins, PF: 32.3 FPTS (17.3 pts, 9.9 reb, 1.6 ast)
Jordan Clarkson, SG: 27.4 FPTS (15.8 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.7 ast)
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 22.2 FPTS (11.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.7 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Walker Kessler, C: 20.5 FPTS (9.4 pts, 7.6 reb, 0.9 ast, 2.7 blk)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 18.3 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 3.6 ast)
Kris Dunn, PG: 16.6 FPTS (6.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.3 ast)
Minnesota Timberwolves at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
BPI Projection: Clippers in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD – Shoulder); Kyle Anderson, (GTD – Shoulder); Monte Morris, (GTD – Hamstring); Rudy Gobert, (GTD – Hamstring); Jaylen Clark, (OUT – Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Groin); Paul George, (GTD – Knee); Russell Westbrook, (OUT – Hand)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 42.2 FPTS (25.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Rudy Gobert, C: 29.8 FPTS (13.8 pts, 11.9 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.7 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 27.4 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 25.3 FPTS (13.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 22.9 FPTS (12.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.6 ast)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 17.9 FPTS (6.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.6 ast)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG: 16.4 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.9 ast)
Clippers projections:
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 44.5 FPTS (23.1 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.0 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 39.7 FPTS (17.8 pts, 5.4 reb, 7.3 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 33.6 FPTS (18.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 25.9 FPTS (11.9 pts, 9.1 reb, 1.4 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 20.6 FPTS (12.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Daniel Theis, PF/C: 16.0 FPTS (7.1 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 15.1 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast)
Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
BPI Projection: Kings in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Bucks: AJ Green, (GTD – Ankle); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Knee); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Back)
Kings: Keegan Murray, (GTD – Ankle); Sasha Vezenkov, (OUT – Ankle)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 50.5 FPTS (29.6 pts, 10.5 reb, 5.9 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 41.9 FPTS (24.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 24.2 FPTS (12.5 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.1 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 22.5 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.4 blk)
Malik Beasley, SG: 20.3 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Patrick Beverley, PG: 15.1 FPTS (6.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.4 ast)
Jae Crowder, SF/PF: 13.0 FPTS (4.8 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Kings projections:
De’Aaron Fox, PG: 51.1 FPTS (27.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 46.4 FPTS (20.6 pts, 12.7 reb, 7.2 ast)
Malik Monk, SG/SF: 27.1 FPTS (14.0 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 25.5 FPTS (12.5 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Harrison Barnes, SF/PF: 18.6 FPTS (9.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.0 ast)
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 15.7 FPTS (6.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Trey Lyles, PF: 15.4 FPTS (7.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.0 ast)