Fantasy basketball picks and bets for Saturday

On By Littum

ESPN’s daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet is your pregame destination before setting your lineups for tonight’s games. Here you can read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players to stream, as well as injury reports and player predictions.

Odds know ESPN BET

Fantasy streamers for Saturday

Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks, SF/PF (12.3% in ESPN leagues)

Marshall isn’t a fantasy dynamo, but he’s gotten his act together with Luka Doncic out. He has scored at least 15 points in five straight games and has been a decent source of rebounds and 3-pointers. He has averaged 4.7 rebounds over his past three games and 2.5 triples over his past four. While he’s not going to get you many steals or blocks, it’s an easy slate tonight, and with Doncic questionable for Saturday, Marshall should be ready for another solid outing against the Jazz.

Tidjane Salaun, Charlotte Hornets, PF (1.1% listed)

Salaun fills in nicely for Miles Bridges and has played particularly well in his last two games. He has averaged 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 3.5 3-pointers. The rookie has played at least 30 minutes in three straight games and should be in line for another busy night against a streaky Atlanta Hawks team. As long as Bridges remains on the sidelines, Salaun looks worth drafting in most formats.

De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks, SF/PF (22.5% fielded)

Hunter has been cooking over his last two games, averaging 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 4.5 3-pointers in 29 minutes per game. He’s having a November to remember with 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 2.6 3-pointers in 27 minutes per game. game over his last seven and suddenly looks like the player we’ve been wanting to see for a few years now. Hunter isn’t going to get you many steals or blocks, but makes for a good fill-in if you’re looking for a quality streamer on Saturday nights.

Micah Potter, Utah Jazz, C (2% listed)

Potter has played in just one game for the struggling Jazz and had nine points, 16 rebounds, three assists, one block and three 3-pointers against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. He played 32 minutes in one, helping pick up the slack left by the absences of Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Kyle Filipowski. Markkanen and Collins are back in action tonight, but Filipowski remains on the sidelines with a left leg injury. While Potter isn’t a sure bet for success, he should get decent minutes and has some fantasy upside with Filipowski still pitched. He should be available in most leagues and I’m excited to see if he can contribute again against the Mavericks tonight.

Best offer on Saturday

Jalen Johnson OVER 19.5 points (-120)

Johnson is in the midst of a somewhat dream season, scoring at least 19.5 points in four straight games and in five of his last six outings. The Hornets are decimated with injuries right now and only have Brandon Miller, Josh Green, Cody Martin and Tidjane Salaum ready to try to slow down Johnson. The Hawks are hotter after back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and should not take their foot off the gas against the beaten Hornets. Johnson is in line for another big fight.

Cade Cunningham records a double-double (+110)

Cunningham is coming off a hip injury that sidelined him for three games, but was able to continue Friday night as he had 24 points, six rebounds and 11 assists in 33 minutes in a big win over the Pacers. He has now recorded a double-double in six straight games and was just one assist away from making it an 11-game streak. The Sixers are broken up, and Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain don’t exactly look like defensive specialists to me. As long as Cunningham is able to go, another double-double should be on the table for Cunningham, who is having a big year for the Pistons so far. He looked good in Friday’s return, but just make sure he plays tonight before playing him.

Keyonte George OVER 15.5 points (-125)

While George’s ineffectiveness is somewhat frustrating for his fantasy managers, he has been cooking lately, scoring at least 23 points in each of his last two games, as well as hitting more than 15.5 points in four of his last five. His shots come and go like the tides, but the Mavericks aren’t known for fielding a strong defensive line against opposing guards. Lauri Markkanen is back for the Jazz but should be rusty, and George will have to carry another big score against the Mavericks. George has played at least 33 minutes in three of his last four games and has given up double-digit shot attempts in every game this season.

Projections and damage reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Damage Consolidation by Rotowire.com. Odds know ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in most ESPN leagues

Atlanta Hawks at Charlotte Hornets
6 p.m. ET

Line: Hawks -4.5 (-110) | Hornets 4.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks -185 | Hornets +155
Total: 225.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI projection: Hawks with 3.4, straight up 61%, 231.3 total points.

Damage report:
Hawks: Cody Zeller, (OUT – Personal); Seth Lundy, (OUT – Ankle)
Hornets: Grant Williams, (OUT – Knee); LaMelo Ball, (GTD – calf); Mark Williams, (GTD – Foot); Miles Bridges, (GTD – Knee); Nick Richards, (GTD – Rib); Tre Mann, (GTD – Back); Jared Rhoden, (OUT – Shoulder); DaQuan Jeffries, (OUT – Hand)

Hawk’s Projections:

  • Trae Young, PG: 41.3 FPTS (21.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 9.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)

  • Jalen Johnson, PF: 39.3 FPTS (19.4 pts, 9.8 reb, 5.6 ast)

  • Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 24.3 FPTS (11.2 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.2 ast)

  • De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 22.4 FPTS (14.0 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Clint Capela, C: 22.3 FPTS (11.0 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.7 ast)

  • Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 20.7 FPTS (11.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Onyeka Okongwu, C: 17.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.7 ast)

Hornet’s projections:

  • LaMelo Ball, PG: 47.2 FPTS (28.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.4 ast, 4.5 3PM)

  • Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 35.1 FPTS (21.2 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.8 ast, 3.4 3PM)

  • Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 28.8 FPTS (15.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Moussa Diabate, PF: 22.1 FPTS (8.2 pts, 10.1 reb, 1.0 ast)

  • Mark Williams, C: 21.0 FPTS (10.6 pts, 7.5 reb, 1.2 ast)

  • Nick Richards, C: 17.1 FPTS (8.6 pts, 7.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.2 blk)

  • Tidjane Salaun, PF: 16.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.2 ast)

Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons
19:00 ET

Line: 76ers 1.5 (-105) | Pistons -1.5 (-115)
Money line: 76ers +115 | Stamps -135
Total: 215.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI projection: Stamps with 8, straight up 75%, 217.4 total points.

Damage report:
76ers: Caleb Martin, (GTD – Back); Paul George, (GTD – Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee); Kyle Lowry, (OUT – Hip)
Stamps: Bobi Klintman, (OUT – Calf)

76ers projections:

  • Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 43.8 FPTS (26.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.7 ast, 3.1 3PM)

  • Jared McCain, SG: 28.5 FPTS (17.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.6 3PM)

  • Paul George, SF/PF: 27.1 FPTS (13.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 22.9 FPTS (12.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.6 ast)

  • Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 19.7 FPTS (10.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.4 ast)

  • Guerschon Yabusele, PF: 17.9 FPTS (6.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 2.0 ast)

  • Andre Drummond, C: 17.0 FPTS (8.9 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.0 ast)

Piston projection:

  • Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 44.1 FPTS (23.8 pts, 6.4 reb, 7.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 26.4 FPTS (16.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.8 ast)

  • Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 26.0 FPTS (13.1 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.6 ast)

  • Malik Beasley, SG: 23.1 FPTS (12.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Jalen Duren, C: 22.6 FPTS (10.5 pts, 9.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.2 blk)

  • Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 16.5 FPTS (6.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.5 blk)

  • Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 15.3 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.7 ast)

Washington Wizards at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards 15.5 (-110) | Bucks -15.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +800 | Pants -1400
Total: 230.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Bucks by 8.5, straight up 76%, 233.1 total points.

Damage report:
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee); Kyle Kuzma, (OUT – Ribs); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Knee)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Kneecap); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Hamstring); Khris Middleton, (OUT – Ankle)

Wizards Projections:

  • Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 34.9 FPTS (19.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF: 25.1 FPTS (12.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.6 ast)

  • Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 23.5 FPTS (11.4 pts, 6.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.3 blk)

  • Kyshawn George, SG/SF: 21.3 FPTS (10.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.7 ast)

  • Carlton Carrington, PG/SG: 20.9 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.4 ast)

  • Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 20.1 FPTS (11.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.8 ast)

  • Jonas Valanciunas, C: 19.5 FPTS (10.0 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.2 ast)

Bucks projections:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 45.8 FPTS (28.4 pts, 10.9 reb, 6.0 ast, 1.4 blk)

  • Damian Lillard, PG: 44.9 FPTS (26.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 6.7 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Brook Lopez, C: 24.7 FPTS (13.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.9 3PM, 2.3 blk)

  • Gary Trent Jr., SG: 17.8 FPTS (10.3 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Taurean Prince, SF: 17.2 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.5 ast)

  • AJ Green, SG: 14.9 FPTS (8.0 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.2 3PM)

  • Bobby Portis, PF: 13.6 FPTS (6.1 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.3 ast)

Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns
9:00 PM ET on NBA TV

Line: Warriors 2.5 (-110) | Sun -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Warriors +115 | Sun -135
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Suns with 3.9, straight up 63%, 232.7 total points.

Damage report:
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Knee); Andrew Wiggins, (GTD – Ankle); Gary Payton II, (GTD – Thigh); Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD – Disease); Quinten Post, (GTD – Thumb); Stephen Curry, (GTD – Knee)
Sire: Bradley Beal, (GTD – Calf); Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD – Ankle); Collin Gillespie, (OUT – Ankle)

Warriors projections:

  • Stephen Curry, PG: 38.9 FPTS (20.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.6 ast, 3.5 3PM)

  • Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 29.1 FPTS (17.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Draymond Green, PF/C: 26.3 FPTS (10.2 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.0 ast)

  • Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 22.6 FPTS (13.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.8 ast)

  • Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 20.2 FPTS (11.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)

  • Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG: 19.5 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.7 ast)

  • Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 16.4 FPTS (6.8 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.5 ast)

Sol’s projections:

  • Devin Booker, PG/SG: 45.7 FPTS (28.5 pts, 3.3 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.6 3PM)

  • Kevin Durant, PF: 39.1 FPTS (27.9 pts, 6.2 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.3 3PM, 1.3 blk)

  • Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 29.9 FPTS (18.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.2 3PM)

  • Tyus Jones, PG: 29.6 FPTS (12.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 5.8 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Royce O’Neale, SF: 20.8 FPTS (8.1 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Jusuf Nurkic, C: 20.0 FPTS (10.1 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.4 ast)

  • Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 15.9 FPTS (9.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz
9:30 p.m. ET

Line: Mavericks -6.5 (-110) | Jazz 6.5 (-110)
Money line: Mavericks -250 | Jazz +210
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Mavericks with 3.7, straight up 62%, 234.1 total points.

Damage report:
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (OUT – Wrist); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Wrist); Klay Thompson, (OUT – foot)
Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Lower Leg); Drew Eubanks, (GTD – Knee); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT – foot); Kyle Filipowski, (OUT – Lower leg)

Mavericks Projections:

  • Luka Doncic, PG: 49.4 FPTS (27.5 pts, 6.7 reb, 6.3 ast, 3.4 3PM)

  • Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 41.5 FPTS (23.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • PJ Washington, PF: 28.8 FPTS (13.0 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.5 ast)

  • Naji Marshall, SF/PF: 20.8 FPTS (11.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.1 ast)

  • Dereck Lively II, C: 18.1 FPTS (8.2 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.9 ast)

  • Quentin Grimes, SG: 17.3 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.7 ast)

  • Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG: 17.3 FPTS (8.8 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.8 ast)

Jazz projections:

  • Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF: 33.2 FPTS (20.1 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.2 3PM)

  • Keyonte George, PG/SG: 29.7 FPTS (16.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.7 3PM)

  • Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 28.4 FPTS (19.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.4 ast)

  • John Collins, PF/C: 27.6 FPTS (14.2 pts, 8.0 reb, 2.4 ast)

  • Walker Kessler, C: 20.0 FPTS (9.6 pts, 8.9 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.5 blk)

  • Micah Potter, C: 15.0 FPTS (6.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.3 ast)

  • Isaiah Collier, PG: 13.8 FPTS (6.2 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.9 ast)