Jim McCormickJan 4, 2026, 12:21 PM ET
- Jim McCormick is a contributing writer for fantasy football and men’s basketball at ESPN.
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 you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Sunday
On this first Sunday of the year, eight intriguing NBA matchups earn our attention. Ahead of busy slates such as today, fantasy managers and bettors must identify which games offer offensive optimism.
Three of today’s contests carry spreads of at least 8.5 points and appear likely to tilt toward lopsided outcomes. Meanwhile, two of the five games featuring competitive spreads come with totals below 228 points, conditions that suggest less than ideal offensive environments.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
Using these admittedly arbitrary buckets, the first and final games of the day emerge as the most inviting and investable. The Detroit Pistons visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matinee between regional rivals. This matchup boasts a healthy total and a tight spread, an appealing combination for prop plays and DFS stacks. With injuries shaping Detroit’s rotation, a Motown big man earns a spot in the streaming section below.
The nightcap features the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Memphis Grizzlies in a contest with a total approaching 240 points. Some frontcourt shuffling for the Lakers creates meaningful streaming opportunities, while the Grizzlies offer several identifiable fantasy free agents worthy of consideration.
With an eye toward uncovering productive fantasy streamers and compelling betting angles, let’s take a look at the day ahead in the NBA.
Sunday’s fantasy stream team
Isaiah Stewart, C/PF, Pistons (rostered in 15.3% of ESPN leagues): Yes, it’s time for some “Beef Stew.” Becoming one of the league’s most intimidating and effective rim protectors, Stewart is now a core part of the Pistons’ gritty defensive identity. With Jalen Duren sidelined, Stewart’s rebounding, scoring and defensive opportunities could spike in this meeting with the rival Cavaliers.
Peyton Watson, SF/PF, Denver Nuggets (17.0% rostered): I am a sucker for non-bigs who can block shots. Watson qualifies. This two-way wing has a knack for deterring shots at the rim and on the perimeter, confirmed by nearly averaging a swat per game. The Nuggets are missing their offensive engine with Nikola Jokic sidelined, but this is also giving Watson and others opportunity for growth and exposure. The Brooklyn Nets have been much better on defense of late, and Watson’s usage and playing time are undeniable.
Bilal Coulibaly, SF/SG, Washington Wizards (15.0%): With Kyshawn George ailing, this defensive dynamo gets the chance to do more on offense. He isn’t the same creative playmaker that George has become, but Coullibaly has added some craft to his offensive profile. In the end, it’s still the elite defensive rates that are meaningful for fantasy purposes. The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, don’t have much guard depth.
Jake LaRavia, PF, Lakers (14.3%): With Rui Hachimura unavailable, LaRavia has been able to show off his fun two-way skill set. A glue guy in that he’ll do dirty work on both sides of the floor, LaRavia is in a good spot to produce against a Grizzlies team thinned in the frontcourt by injuries.
Egor Demin, PG, Nets (27.6%): An awesome name and a growing game are part of the package with this rising rookie. Finally finding his scoring touch, and with the potential to collect rebounds and deliver dimes, Denim’s busy two-way role should show up in the box score today.
McCormick’s bets for Sunday
Jordan Poole OVER 2.5 3-pointers made
Yes, we’re going with a guy shooting 30.1% from deep. Hear me out: the New Orleans Pelicans are missing several floor-spacing wings with Saddiq Bey and Herbert Jones sidelined. Their opponent, the Miami Heat, have the league’s fastest pace by a wide margin, which means more possessions for both sides. Poole, meanwhile, has irrational confidence that helps sustain Stephen Curry-like volume, if not efficiency. The volume should be turned up today for this veteran scorer.
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LeBron James OVER 35.5 combined points, rebounds and assists
Making his debut just over 8,100 days ago, James is somehow still producing at an incredible level. Don’t let the first few weeks of the season tell the story, as James has re-emerged as a productive force in recent weeks. The absence of Austin Reaves makes James a vital secondary creator and scorer aside Luka Doncic. We just saw James cruise past this prop Friday against this same Memphis defense.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Anthony Edwards, SG, Timberwolves ($9,600)
As the key offensive creator on a team missing a point guard depth, Edwards should be busy on both ends against a weaker Washington Wizards team. We haven’t seen a massive “Ant” eruption in a while, but the ingredients are certainly present in today’s matchup. Edwards also serves as a valid alternative to paying up for Doncic or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Alex Sarr, C, Wizards ($6,900)
The Wizards have real momentum as a franchise thanks to Sarr surfacing as a real two-way force. One of the best isolation defenders in the league already, Sarr will be busy chasing around Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Sarr will also be busy on offense, where his game is also expanding.
Kel’el Ware, C, Heat ($6,600)
I am a fan of Ware’s developing game. The Heat have likely hit on another great development project. With an awesome rebounding rate and a plus matchup with a Pelicans team that has very little size and experience inside, Ware is in a great spot to provide value.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Bub Carrington, PG, Wizards ($4,600)
Somehow, the Wizards have become the team of the day. This Pitt product gets his hands on the ball more without George in the rotation. Carrington’s growth as a creator has surfaced in the box score lately. There are solid matchup indicators for this second-year combo guard.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers
2 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons +4.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Pistons +170 | Cavaliers -205
Total: 235.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 1.1, straight up 53%, 238.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Wendell Moore Jr., (GTD – Hamstring); Caris LeVert, (OUT – Knee); Jalen Duren, (OUT – Ankle); Tobias Harris, (OUT – Hip)
Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (GTD – Knee); Jarrett Allen, (GTD – Illness); Sam Merrill, (GTD – Ankle); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT – Calf); Chris Livingston, (OUT – Knee); Max Strus, (OUT – Foot)
Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic
3 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +6.5 (-110) | Magic -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers +200 | Magic -245
Total: 225.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 9.3, straight up 74%, 228.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT – Thumb); Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Concussion); Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT – Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle); Jalen Suggs, (OUT – Knee); Moritz Wagner, (OUT – Knee)
Denver Nuggets at Brooklyn Nets
3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -2.5 (-110) | Nets +2.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets -135 | Nets +114
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 1.6, straight up 55%, 226.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD – Hamstring); Christian Braun, (GTD – Ankle); Jamal Murray, (GTD – Ankle); Cameron Johnson, (OUT – Knee); Jonas Valanciunas, (OUT – Calf); Nikola Jokic, (OUT – Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Nets: Michael Porter Jr., (GTD – Illness); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee); Nic Claxton, (OUT – Personal)
New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat
6 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +7.5 (-105) | Heat -7.5 (-115)
Money line: Pelicans +250 | Heat -310
Total: 243.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 9.1, straight up 74%, 244.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Derik Queen, (GTD – Quadriceps); Trey Murphy III, (GTD – Back); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Ankle); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Hip); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Achilles)
Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Pelle Larsson, (GTD – Ankle); Tyler Herro, (GTD – Toe); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Washington Wizards
6 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves -9.5 (-118) | Wizards +9.5 (-102)
Money line: Timberwolves -455 | Wizards +350
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 10.8, straight up 78%, 237.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot)
Wizards: Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD – Illness); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Hip); Cam Whitmore, (OUT – Shoulder)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns
8 p.m. ET
Line: Thunder -8.5 (-105) | Suns +8.5 (-115)
Money line: Thunder -360 | Suns +285
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 10.5, straight up 77%, 228.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Brooks Barnhizer, (GTD – Ankle); Cason Wallace, (GTD – Knee); Isaiah Joe, (GTD – Knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Heel); Ousmane Dieng, (OUT – Calf); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Suns: Grayson Allen, (GTD – Knee); Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring)
Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks -5.5 (-120) | Kings +5.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Bucks -230 | Kings +190
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 4.2, straight up 62%, 231.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Gary Harris, (GTD – Neck); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Calf); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Kings: Zach LaVine, (GTD – Ankle); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee)
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +6.5 (-110) | Lakers -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Grizzlies +195 | Lakers -238
Total: 237.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 5.3, straight up 65%, 235.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Ja Morant, (GTD – Calf); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Ankle); John Konchar, (OUT – Thumb); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT – Knee); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle); , (OUT – Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf)
Lakers: Gabe Vincent, (OUT – Back); Rui Hachimura, (OUT – Calf); Austin Reaves, (OUT – Calf); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee)