Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Tuesday’s NBA slate

On By Littum

  • Eric Moody, ESPNNovember 26, 2024, 12:25 PM ET

    Close

      A former manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company, I’m now living my dream of creating NFL, NBA and WNBA fantasy and sports betting content for ESPN.

The NBA tournament of the season heats up on Tuesday night with five exciting matchups.

The Chicago Bulls head to Capital One Arena to face the Washington Wizards. After dropping four of their last six games, the Bulls will be eager to bounce back. There is a bet I am looking at in this game.

In Miami, the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Heat. The Bucks have been hot, winning six of their last seven, so this should be a good one. The Houston Rockets are in Minnesota to face the Timberwolves, who need a win to keep their NBA Cup hopes alive.

I’m also looking forward to the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz, and there are a lot of exciting bets in this one. But the game I’m most excited about? The Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers. A few solid bets here too.

Let’s take a closer look.

Tuesday’s Stream Team

Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Wizards (available in 62.1% of ESPN leagues): Coulibaly is having a breakout season and continues to play for the Wizards. He has contributed across multiple categories, making him an excellent streamer. Coulibaly has averaged 35.1 minutes and 30.5 fantasy points per game. match. He is my top streamer for the Tuesday board.

Harrison Barnes, PF, Spurs (84.9%): Barnes is in a very good position against a Jazz team that has struggled defensively. The veteran has been solid, averaging 29.2 minutes per game, and he has scored 35 or more fantasy points in three straight games. Barnes plays well so don’t overlook him if you need a streamer.

Moody’s rates for the day

Odds know ESPN BET

Victor Wembanyama over 13.5 assists and rebounds (-120): Wembanyama is in a prime position against the Jazz. He has hit that mark in four of his last five games. During that stretch, Wemby has averaged 8.0 potential assists and 18.8 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. match. Those numbers suggest he’s in a good position to clear that line again. Wemby has also topped that line in three of his last five matchups with the Jazz dating back to last season. All signs point to another strong performance.

Austin Reaves over 2.5 three-pointers made (-110): Reaves has been letting it fly lately, averaging 8.5 3-point attempts over his last 10 games. He has hit that mark in seven of them, including during the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets last Sunday. Los Angeles will be out for redemption against the Suns, and Reaves has already toed that line twice against Phoenix this season. Plus, the Suns make the most threes per game to point guards. With one of the highest totals on the board, this is a place where Reaves can shine from beyond the arc.

Zach LaVine over 27.5 points and rebounds (-120): The Wizards allow the most points per game. 100 possessions in the league, making this a great spot for LaVine. He has hit that mark in four of his last five games, averaging 32.4 minutes and shooting 54.0% from the field. This game also has the highest total on Tuesday’s slate.

Harrison Barnes over 1.5 assists (-125): This one stood out immediately. Barnes has hit that mark in seven of his last 10 games, which is encouraging. However, he has only averaged 3.4 potential assists per game. match. The advantage? He plays 28.1 minutes per game during that stretch and gets a great matchup against a Jazz defense that gives up the fifth-most points per game. 100 possessions in the league.

Kevin Durant over 30.5 points, rebounds and assists (-120): According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Durant is set to return Tuesday, his first game since Nov. 8, which gives us a discount line. He has accomplished this in eight of nine games, averaging 17.9 field goal attempts, 9.9 rebound chances and 6.4 potential assists per game. The volume should be there for Durant to reach this mark. And even with Bradley Beal back, Durant has crossed that line in 16 of his last 20 games along with Beal and Devin Booker dating back to last season. He’s also done it in six of his last seven against the Lakers.

Keyonte George under 6.5 assists (-130): The Spurs allow the second-fewest assists per game. battle for point guards, making this a tough matchup. George has gone below that line in seven of his last 10 games, averaging just 9.2 potential assists per game. match. He has also been kept out in four of his last five games against the Spurs. Even with Jordan Clarkson out for this game with a foot injury, that shouldn’t be a problem; George has gone below that mark in 16 of his last 20 games without Clarkson in the lineup.

Projections and damage reports

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

Players in italics are available in most ESPN leagues

Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
19:00 ET

Line: Taurus -4.5 (-115) | Wizards +4.5 (-105)
Money line: Taurus -195 | Wizards +165
Total: 244.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Bulls by 3.2, straight up 61%, 241.6 total points.

Damage report:
Bulls: Julian Phillips, (GTD – Disease); Lonzo Ball, (GTD – Wrist); Talen Horton-Tucker, (NA – Thumb); Adama Sanogo, (OUT – Knee); Patrick Williams, (GTD – foot)
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee); Jordan Poole, (GTD – Hip); Justin Champagnie, (GTD – Hamstring); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Knee)

Bulls projections:

  • Nikola Vucevic, C: 36.0 FPTS (19.2 pts, 10.0 reb, 3.2 ast)

  • Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 34.1 FPTS (21.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.8 3PM)

  • Coby White, PG/SG: 33.9 FPTS (18.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.8 3PM)

  • Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 27.2 FPTS (12.0 pts, 5.3 reb, 5.2 ast)

  • Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 24.1 FPTS (11.8 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.9 ast)

  • Patrick Williams, PF: 20.5 FPTS (10.3 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.2 ast)

  • Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 18.5 FPTS (9.9 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.6 ast)

Wizards Projections:

  • Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 34.8 FPTS (18.6 pts, 2.3 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 27.3 FPTS (16.9 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.4 ast)

  • Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF: 25.2 FPTS (12.4 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.2 ast)

  • Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 22.6 FPTS (10.5 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.8 blk)

  • Carlton Carrington, PG/SG: 20.8 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.4 ast)

  • Kyshawn George, SG/SF: 20.3 FPTS (9.7 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.6 ast)

  • Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 19.7 FPTS (11.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.6 ast)

Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Buck +2.5 (-110) | Heat -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Pants +115 | Heat -135
Total: 222.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Warm up with 6.9, straight up 72%, 222.9 total points.

Damage report:
Bucks: AJ Johnson, (GTD – Achilles); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (NA – Calf); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Hamstring); Bull Prince, (NA – Disease); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Ankle)
Heat: Dru Smith, (GTD – Knee); Terry Rozier, (GTD – Foot)

Bucks projections:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 48.3 FPTS (29.8 pts, 12.8 reb, 6.3 ast, 1.6 blk)

  • Damian Lillard, PG: 41.2 FPTS (24.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.3 ast, 2.9 3PM)

  • Khris Middleton, SF: 28.1 FPTS (14.4 pts, 5.5 reb, 4.3 ast)

  • Brook Lopez, C: 25.0 FPTS (13.0 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.9 3PM, 2.6 blk)

  • Gary Trent Jr., SG: 17.8 FPTS (10.5 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Taurean Prince, SF: 17.0 FPTS (7.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.7 ast)

  • Bobby Portis, PF: 16.7 FPTS (7.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.5 ast)

Heat projections:

  • Bam Adebayo, C: 41.9 FPTS (20.1 pts, 10.3 reb, 4.5 ast)

  • Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 40.7 FPTS (23.6 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.4 ast, 3.5 3PM)

  • Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/PF: 36.1 FPTS (20.2 pts, 6.0 reb, 4.9 ast)

  • Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 25.8 FPTS (13.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Nikola Jovic, PF: 17.9 FPTS (8.2 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.6 ast)

  • Alec Burks, SG: 16.3 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.6 ast)

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF: 15.8 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.9 ast)

Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET

Line: Rockets +3.5 (-105) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets +140 | Timberwolves -165
Total: 219.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI projection: Timberwolves by 1.3, straight up 54%, 220.5 total points.

Damage report:
Rockets: Jalen Green, (NA – Disease); Steven Adams, (OUT – Knee)
Timberwolves: Joe Ingles, (NA – Calf); Mike Conley, (GTD – Toe)

Rocket Projections:

  • Alperen Sengun, C: 36.7 FPTS (18.6 pts, 9.7 reb, 4.4 ast)

  • Fred VanVleet, PG: 34.4 FPTS (14.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)

  • Jalen Green, SG: 29.9 FPTS (18.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.4 3PM)

  • Tari Eason, SF/PF: 23.0 FPTS (10.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.4 ast)

  • Amen Thompson, SG/SF/PF: 22.2 FPTS (11.6 pts, 6.3 reb, 2.1 ast)

  • Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 21.2 FPTS (11.7 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.1 ast)

  • Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 19.4 FPTS (11.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

Timberwolves projections:

  • Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 44.4 FPTS (28.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.6 ast, 3.9 3PM)

  • Julius Randle, PF: 35.1 FPTS (23.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.2 ast)

  • Rudy Gobert, C: 26.3 FPTS (12.7 pts, 10.6 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.6 blk)

  • Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 21.9 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)

  • Jaden McDaniels, SF: 21.8 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.0 ast)

  • Mike Conley, PG: 21.6 FPTS (8.2 pts, 2.5 reb, 4.1 ast)

  • Naz Reid, PF/C: 19.8 FPTS (11.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.9 ast)

San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET

Line: Spurs -2.5 (-110) | Jazz +2.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs -135 | Jazz +115
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Jazz by 0.2, straight up 51%, 229.7 total points.

Damage report:
Spurs: Keldon Johnson, (GTD – Hamstring); Devin Vassell, (GTD – Knee); Jeremy Sochan, (UD – Thumb)
Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Lower Leg); Jordan Clarkson, (NA – foot); Kyle Filipowski, (GTD – Ankle)

Spurs projections:

  • Victor Wembanyama, C: 43.5 FPTS (26.2 pts, 10.2 reb, 3.6 ast, 3.1 3PM, 2.8 blk)

  • Chris Paul, PG: 26.5 FPTS (10.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.7 ast)

  • Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 24.4 FPTS (15.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Keldon Johnson, SF/PF: 22.1 FPTS (11.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.1 ast)

  • Stephon Castle, PG/SG: 21.1 FPTS (12.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.5 ast)

  • Julian Champagnie, SF: 20.7 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)

  • Harrison Barnes, PF: 18.8 FPTS (11.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.4 ast)

Jazz projections:

  • Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF: 33.8 FPTS (21.2 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.3 3PM)

  • John Collins, PF/C: 30.0 FPTS (15.3 pts, 9.2 reb, 2.6 ast)

  • Keyonte George, PG/SG: 27.2 FPTS (15.1 pts, 2.5 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.4 3PM)

  • Jordan Clarkson, SG/SF: 25.7 FPTS (15.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 23.9 FPTS (16.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.9 ast)

  • Walker Kessler, C: 18.8 FPTS (9.2 pts, 8.9 reb, 0.9 ast, 2.5 blk)

  • Kyle Filipowski, PF: 18.2 FPTS (8.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.6 ast)

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. ET

Line: Lakers +2.5 (-115) | Sun -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Lakers +115 | Sun -135
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI projection: Suns with 4, straight up 63%, 235.2 total points.

Damage report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (NA – foot); Jaxson Hayes, (GTD – Ankle); Bronny James, (OUT – Heel); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT – Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT – Knee)
Sire: Bradley Beal, (GTD – Calf); Kevin Durant, (GTD – Calf); Collin Gillespie, (OUT – Ankle)

Lakers projections:

  • Anthony Davis, PF/C: 46.9 FPTS (25.9 pts, 11.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.8 blk)

  • LeBron James, SF/PF: 45.6 FPTS (22.4 pts, 7.8 reb, 7.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 33.7 FPTS (15.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 23.6 FPTS (9.9 pts, 1.7 reb, 4.2 ast)

  • Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 23.4 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.5 ast)

  • Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 19.2 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Cam Reddish, SG/SF: 13.8 FPTS (4.9 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.2 ast)

Sol’s projections:

  • Devin Booker, PG/SG: 45.4 FPTS (24.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.4 3PM)

  • Kevin Durant, PF: 39.6 FPTS (24.5 pts, 6.2 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 33.0 FPTS (16.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Tyus Jones, PG: 31.7 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 5.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Jusuf Nurkic, C: 23.5 FPTS (10.1 pts, 9.0 reb, 1.1 ast)

  • Royce O’Neale, SF: 20.3 FPTS (7.1 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.0 ast)

  • Josh Okogie, SG/SF: 14.9 FPTS (6.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast)