Eric Moody
Multiple Authors
ESPN’s fantasy basketball every day cheat sheet is your pregame vacation spot earlier than you set your lineups for that evening’s games. Here you may learn our greatest recommendation for the evening, together with a number of gamers to think about for DFS, finest bets, in addition to game-by-game damage stories.
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Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & injury report
What that you must know for Tuesday’s games
The Boston Celtics look to take a 2-0 sequence lead at dwelling after a dominant Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics’ spacing, ball motion and defensive versatility overwhelmed the Sixers, and their strategy stays easy: restrict Tyrese Maxey and pressure others to beat them. Without Joel Embiid, Philadelphia’s margin for error shrinks considerably. This matchup comes down as to if the Sixers can generate sufficient secondary scoring or if Boston’s depth and construction proceed to regulate the sequence.
The second sport of the day has the San Antonio Spurs internet hosting the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs are aiming to construct off a powerful Game 1 behind Victor Wembanyama‘s two-way dominance. San Antonio disrupted Portland’s offense and compelled inefficient appears to be like, and until the Trail Blazers enhance their perimeter taking pictures, that development is prone to proceed. Portland’s finest probability lies in adjusting its spacing to drag Wembanyama away from the rim, but when not, San Antonio’s defensive edge ought to as soon as once more dictate the sport.
In the nightcap, the Los Angeles Lakers look to take a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets after a balanced Game 1 efficiency. Los Angeles leaned on veteran management and effectivity, whereas Houston struggled to transform regardless of producing extra alternatives. Kevin Durant‘s potential return is the important thing variable, as Houston lacks constant scoring with out him. This matchup will come right down to execution, but when the Rockets do not enhance their taking pictures, the Lakers’ expertise and depth give them the sting.
Here’s a take a look at the betting angles and DFS performs of curiosity for Tuesday’s playoff slate.
Moody’s bets for Tuesday
Paul George to attain 18+ factors (-113)
Despite Philadelphia’s Game 1 blowout loss to Boston, George was wonderful, ending with 17 factors in 28 minutes. If the 76ers need to keep aggressive, he’ll must tackle a bigger scoring function alongside Maxey. George has scored precisely 17 factors in every of his final two games towards Boston, and if this sport stays shut, he is prone to see 30+ minutes. He has scored at the very least 18 factors in 12 of the 25 games this season wherein he is performed 30 or extra minutes.
Marcus Smart 20+ factors, rebounds and assists (-116)
Smart benefited from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves being out resulting from damage, ending with 15 factors and eight assists in Game 1. In games this season alongside LeBron James and with out Doncic, Smart has recorded at the very least 20 PRA (factors + rebounds + assists) in 5 of eight contests. He has averaged 11.1 field-goal makes an attempt, 5.1 rebound possibilities and seven.4 potential assists in these games. He ought to proceed to be closely concerned towards the Rockets on Tuesday.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ salaries
Victor Wembanyama, C, Spurs ($11,500): Wembanyama opened the sequence with 47.2 fantasy factors in Game 1. Whenever the Spurs are on the slate, the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year is somebody to think about paying up for due to his elite upside. Wemby has scored at the very least 56 fantasy factors in 5 of his final seven games, together with 4 performances of 71 or extra.
Jayson Tatum, PF, Celtics ($9,500): Tatum has seemed wonderful since getting back from final season’s Achilles damage, averaging 47.2 fantasy factors per sport throughout 16 contests. While he may not be totally again to his pre-injury degree, his presence has given the Celtics a big enhance on each ends of the ground. Despite taking pictures simply 41.1% from the sphere, Tatum has maintained sturdy manufacturing by contributing throughout a number of statistical classes, and his effectivity ought to proceed to enhance.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Stephon Castle, SG, Spurs ($7,400): Castle completed with 35.2 fantasy factors in Game 1 towards Portland and continues to enrich Wembanyama. He has averaged 43.7 fantasy factors per sport over his final eight outings and might produce in a number of methods, highlighted by two triple-doubles throughout that stretch.
Jrue Holiday, PG, Trail Blazers ($6,800): Holiday has been excellent over his final seven games, contributing to a number of statistical classes for the Trail Blazers. He has averaged 36.1 fantasy factors per sport throughout that stretch, giving him a powerful ground. The Spurs current a tricky defensive matchup, however Holiday’s utilization and up to date manufacturing are too sturdy to disregard at this worth.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Marcus Smart, SG/SF Lakers ($4,800): Smart completed with 33.5 fantasy factors in 34 minutes towards the Rockets in Game 1. He ought to proceed to see ample minutes with Doncic and Reaves out, particularly given his veteran presence and in depth playoff expertise.
Sam Hauser, SF/PF, Celtics ($4,200): Hauser completed with 27.8 fantasy factors in 28 minutes in Boston’s blowout win over the 76ers in Game 1. His taking pictures stretches the ground, attracts defensive consideration and creates house that makes the Celtics’ offense extra environment friendly. Hauser is a strong worth towards a middle-of-the-pack Philadelphia protection.
Projections and damage stories
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds supplied by DraftKings Sportsbook
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
7 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: 76ers +14.5 (-110) | Celtics -14.5 (-110)
Money line: 76ers +575 | Celtics -850
Total: 216.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 10.3, straight up 79%, 211.0 whole factors.
Injury report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT – Appendectomy)
Celtics: Ron Harper Jr., (GTD – Ankle)
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Blazers +11.5 (-115) | Spurs -11.5 (-105)
Money line: Blazers +470 | Spurs -650
Total: 219.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 11.8, straight up 82%, 219.4 whole factors.
Injury report:
Blazers: Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Spurs: David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Rockets -4.5 (-115) | Lakers +4.5 (-105)
Money line: Rockets -192 | Lakers +160
Total: 206.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 0.3, straight up 51%, 212.1 whole factors.
Injury report:
Rockets: Kevin Durant, (GTD – Knee); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (OUT – Oblique); Luka Doncic, (OUT – Hamstring)
