ESPN's fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night's games. Here you'll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players to consider for DFS, best bets, as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & injury report
What you need to know for Sunday's games
A pivotal playoff Sunday presents four matchups with major stakes. Three of today's games are in series sitting at 2-1, which signals sincere motivation for respective underdogs. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, are looking to stave off a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The first game of the day matches the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Toronto Raptors in a contest that airs at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Cavaliers couldn't keep up with Toronto's scintillating shooting in Game 3, yet the Raptors are unlikely to sustain 61% from 3-point range, suggesting today will reveal if they can compete with Cleveland over a long series.
The Portland Trail Blazers host the San Antonio Spurs in a pivotal matchup that airs at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The status of Victor Wembanyama and his progression in concussion protocol is critical to this contest. We know Deni Avdija can put up big numbers, while the key question is if Portland's secondary scorers can complement their All-Star forward in hopes of tying the series.
A storied rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers continues today in South Philly at 7 p.m. ET. The Celtics, as you might have heard, have gotten the better of this rivalry dating back to the 1960s. The 76ers list Joel Embiid as doubtful, which is at least an intriguing upgrade to his status. Today will reveal if this is a competitive series or merely a gentleman's sweep.
The nightcap features the Lakers seeking the franchise's first playoff sweep since the 2010 Western Conference semifinals, one that saw Kobe Bryant average an efficient 32 PPG. Los Angeles could get Austin Reaves back in the rotation, while the Rockets will need to prove if they have real mettle.
With an eye toward uncovering compelling betting angles and daily fantasy decisions, let's take a look at the day ahead.
McCormick's bets for Sunday
Collin Murray-Boyles OVER 6.5 rebounds (+108)
With Jakob Poeltl being targeted in pick-and-roll actions and essentially played off the floor at times against the Cavaliers, "CMB" is taking on more minutes and production opportunities. Pacing the team and 12th overall in the playoffs with 15.7 rebounding chances per game, the same rate as Atlanta's Jalen Johnson, Murray-Boyle is seeing the chances required to support this rebounding prop. The rookie is only gaining traction in the rotation, with the team's recent success in the series providing momentum heading into this matinee.
Stephon Castle OVER 17.5 points (-124)
Eighth among all players in the playoffs with 15.3 drives per game, Castle is getting downhill early and often against the Trail Blazers. While Donovan Clingan is one of the league's better rim protectors, Castle thrives from floater range and taking on contact in the restricted area, suggesting he can excel as a two-level scorer this afternoon. Even if Wemby is active, expect Castle to take on a more aggressive scoring approach.
Andre Drummond OVER 7.5 rebounds (-139)
It's possible I am overoptimistic with these overs today, although the reasoning for each case feels sound. In Drummond's scenario, he's been part of the 76ers' most effective stretches as a bully, setting screens and creating driving lanes for the team's athletic guards. While the Celtics can push Drummond off the court by going small, Philly doesn't really have many alternative looks in the frontcourt. Simply put, the 76ers are one of the league's worst rebounding teams, which means it's difficult for Nick Nurse to keep Drummond on the pine.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ salaries
Scottie Barnes, PF, Raptors ($8,100): With Wembanyama ailing, there doesn't seem to be a clear chalk play. Barnes is the most affordable of the heliocentric stars playing today. Not only does he control the offense in many regards for Toronto, he's also at the head of the team's defensive scheme. Few players in this price range can reasonably top 60 DraftKings points.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Jrue Holiday, PG, Trail Blazers ($7,000): One of the league's best floor generals is enjoying a renaissance in this series against the Spurs. With 35 shot attempts over the past two games, Holiday is proving he can still handle high usage paired with effective efficiency. The Trail Blazers simply need his offensive organization and defensive stewardship to compete with the Spurs today.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Scoot Henderson, PG, Trail Blazers ($5,100): One of the true positives for Portland in this series has been the emergence of Henderson as a confident scoring microwave. The passing production remains scarce, but his team simply needs buckets at the moment. With Holiday handling distribution duties, Henderson can focus on attacking closeouts and creating gravity with his newfound touch.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
1 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Cavaliers -3.5 (-115) | Raptors +3.5 (-105)
Money line: Cavaliers -170 | Raptors +142
Total: 219.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 2.1, straight up 57%, 223.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: None reported
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (OFS - Knee)
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Spurs -5.5 (-105) | Blazers +5.5 (-115)
Money line: Spurs -205 | Blazers +170
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 5.4, straight up 67%, 219.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: David Jones Garcia, (OFS - Ankle)
Blazers: Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Celtics -7.5 (-105) | 76ers +7.5 (-115)
Money line: Celtics -290 | 76ers +235
Total: 213.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 4, straight up 63%, 211.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: None reported
76ers: Joel Embiid, (DOUBTFUL - Appendicitis)
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
9:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Lakers +4.5 (-105) | Rockets -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Lakers +154 | Rockets -185
Total: 207.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 5, straight up 66%, 211.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (GTD - Oblique); Luka Doncic, (OUT - Hamstring)
Rockets: Kevin Durant, (GTD - Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS - Ankle)