Just days before the streets are filled with candy, Sunday brings us an exciting slate of five NBA games. Despite the limited schedule, these games are staggered throughout the day, featuring four different tip-off times.
This spacing between games is crucial for weekly fantasy leagues, as Sundays mark the final day of competition. By making strategic moves on your roster, you can gain an edge through free agency, potentially adding crucial games that can tip the scales in a matchup.
ESPN’s Fantasy Basketball Daily Cheat Sheet is your go-to resource before finalizing your lineups for the evening. Here, you’ll find our top advice for the day, including streaming options, game-by-game injury updates, and player projections.
What You Need to Know for Sunday’s Games
Even this early in the season, injuries are impacting team dynamics. In the first matchup, the winless Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Indiana Pacers without Joel Embiid or Paul George, significantly influencing our streaming recommendations.
The New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers will also be missing key scorers and wing defenders, while the remaining games seem to feature more predictable rotations.
Three of the five games have point totals approaching 230 at ESPN BET, indicating we could see some high-scoring action. Let’s break down this first Sunday slate of the season.
Sunday’s Stream Team
- Kelly Oubre, Philadelphia 76ers, SF (40.3% rostered): Known for his chaotic playing style, Oubre has been surprisingly steady without Paul George. He’s taken at least 17 shots in each game, contributing to solid production. Facing a pace-driven Pacers team with weak wing defense, he’s a strong streaming option. For deeper leagues, Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin is also worth considering.
- Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers, C (24.4% rostered): With the absence of veteran stars in Philadelphia, Drummond offers double-double potential against a smaller Pacers frontcourt, making him a top choice for rebounds.
- Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors, SG (33.4% rostered): Don’t be fooled by his scoreless debut; “Air Podz” excels in rebounding and can provide solid scoring and playmaking. The Clippers’ older roster may present a favorable matchup for this promising second-year guard.
- Taurean Prince, Milwaukee Bucks, SF (11.1% rostered): With Khris Middleton likely on a maintenance plan throughout the season, Prince could see significant minutes as a complementary scorer. He has the potential for a productive outing against a struggling Brooklyn Nets defense.
McCormick’s Best Bets for Sunday
- Clippers-Warriors Over 221.5 Points (-105): This California matchup has one of the day’s lowest totals, likely an overreaction to the Clippers’ current scoring average of 111 points per game. After facing a slow-paced Denver team, expect the Warriors, who have put up nearly 270 points in their first two games, to bring more offensive firepower.
- Zion Williamson Over 6.5 Rebounds (-115): With a team-high average of 17 rebounding chances per game, Williamson is well-positioned to exceed this number. He dominated the Trail Blazers with 11 boards in their recent matchup.
- New Orleans Pelicans -6.5 (-105): The shorthanded Pelicans look ready to handle the Trail Blazers in a crucial matchup. Despite a close two-point win last Friday, the Pelicans returning home, along with Portland missing key players, sets the stage for a potential blowout.
- Chet Holmgren Over 19.5 Points (-120): Although the Hawks have seen strong performances from Onyeka Okongwu, Holmgren’s combination of size, shooting, and intelligence could prove too much for the Hawks’ defense in what should be a high-scoring game.
