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What you need to know for Saturday's games
A seven-game Saturday schedule peaks this evening in the desert with a matchup featuring the Boston Celtics visiting the Phoenix Suns on ABC. The Suns' Devin Booker is likely to return from injury, so we will want to see how this lineup shift influences Royce O'Neale and the rest of the rotation.
Fantasy managers will want to prepare lineups prior to that marquee contest, given an afternoon tip that has the LA Clippers hosting the Chicago Bulls in a West Coast matinee. Chicago's combo guard Ayo Dosunmu (25.1% rostered in ESPN men's basketball leagues) is a name to consider from the waiver wire. We'll also want to track how the Clippers deploy their trio of stars, given that all are included as questionable on the initial injury report.
An evening tip between the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets doesn't usually inspire much attention, but active fantasy gamers are likely to realize Dennis Schroder (71.9%) is emerging as a statistical star for coach Kevin Ollie. ESPN's Steve Alexander, meanwhile, features former Euro League standout Vasilije Micic (3.0%) as a rising fantasy force with guards LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann ailing.
The slate continues with the San Antonio Spurs in San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors in a contest likely without both Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Curry because of injuries. Despite the dimmed drama, both rosters produce significant streaming endorsements below.
The reigning champs, the Denver Nuggets, are coming off a rousing win over the Celtics and tonight host a depleted Utah Jazz roster. With the Jazz shifting to a focus on a youth movement, we can lean on the likes of Brice Sensabaugh (0.2%) and Keyonte George (11.6%), both of whom merit mention in the stream team.
The nightcap in Oregon has the Portland Trail Blazers hosting the Toronto Raptors in a game with some uniquely ascendant young players. Toronto's Immanuel Quickley (73.0%) is looking like a real candidate to be a league-winner in the final weeks of the campaign. The absence of Scottie Barnes has him running the show for the Raptors with great success. The Trail Blazers, for their part, are featuring Duop Reath (4.9%) and Dalano Banton (0.7%) in recent games with some success. Banton, after all, netted a career-best 30 points last night.
Saturday's Stream Team
This segment nominates three key streaming options ahead of the day's action. A streamer, by our standards, is a player available in at least half of ESPN men's basketball leagues.
Keyonte George, PG/SG, Jazz (rostered in 11.6% of leagues): Save for a recent injury that cost him a few games, George had been building real momentum as a scorer and volume shooter for the Jazz. This new element adds to an already deft passing package, which helps his case as a building block for the rest of this season and beyond. Teammate Sensabaugh should play a large role given the expected absences of Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks from Utah's frontcourt.
Brandin Podziemski, SG, Warriors (11.5%): ESPN Fantasy editor Joe Kaiser has been privately pushing "Air Podz'' as a moniker for this fun rookie talent, and it might just be catching on. Beyond savvy wordplay, the rookie has a versatile veteran-like skill set that often includes respectable results across several key stat columns in most matchups. With added usage and touches via Curry's absence, the lore of this rookie can grow against a bad Spurs defense.
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF, Pistons (46.7%): Not many wings of any experience level in this league are capable of delivering the defensive rates that Thompson can. For him to have such sticky hands this young is incredibly promising for his potential to be a fantasy star in the seasons ahead. He's already useful immediately given Monty Williams is leaving him on the floor lately to figure things out on offense.
Zach Collins, PF/C, Spurs (17.8%): With no Wemby, the Spurs rely on Collins as a two-way contributor from the pivot. The results in such scenarios are usually strong, as Collins is a capable passer for his size and has a knack for rim protection in help scenarios. Teammate Jeremy Sochan (19.5%) also sees a leap in opportunity rates with Wembanyama absent.
Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, Bulls (25.1%): A sizable surge in passing and assist production over the past two weeks signals the increased trust the staff has in Dosunmu to run sets for Chicago's offense. One of the rare bright spots for the Bulls this season, Dosunmu joins Coby White as key young talents to build around going forward.
Projections and Injury Reports
Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics.* Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.
4 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
BPI Projection: Clippers in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD - Shoulder); Kawhi Leonard, (GTD - Groin); Paul George, (GTD - Knee); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)
Bulls projections:
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF: 42.4 FPTS (25.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 5.3 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 41.0 FPTS (22.1 pts, 4.9 reb, 5.5 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 39.7 FPTS (19.2 pts, 10.7 reb, 3.2 ast)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 32.0 FPTS (16.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.9 ast)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 27.2 FPTS (10.2 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Andre Drummond, C: 21.0 FPTS (10.4 pts, 8.4 reb, 0.8 ast)
Torrey Craig, SF/PF: 15.8 FPTS (6.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Clippers projections:
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 45.6 FPTS (24.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 38.0 FPTS (21.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.5 ast, 3.0 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 37.3 FPTS (17.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.7 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 25.5 FPTS (11.9 pts, 8.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 21.3 FPTS (11.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 17.4 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.3 ast)
Daniel Theis, PF/C: 15.2 FPTS (6.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 0.9 ast)
Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
BPI Projection: Nets in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Nets: Cam Thomas, (GTD - Ankle); Day'Ron Sharpe, (GTD - Wrist); Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Ankle); Ben Simmons, (OUT - Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD - Groin); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Nets projections:
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 36.5 FPTS (21.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 32.6 FPTS (16.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 5.6 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Nic Claxton, PF/C: 27.3 FPTS (12.4 pts, 8.9 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.1 blk)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 21.6 FPTS (9.4 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Dennis Smith Jr., PG: 20.4 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.4 ast)
Lonnie Walker IV, SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (11.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jacob Gilyard, PG: 16.9 FPTS (5.7 pts, 1.8 reb, 3.2 ast)
Hornets projections:
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 38.8 FPTS (22.1 pts, 7.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 33.7 FPTS (20.2 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG: 22.0 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.4 ast)
Nick Richards, C: 21.6 FPTS (10.0 pts, 8.3 reb, 0.8 ast)
Tre Mann, PG: 21.6 FPTS (9.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.3 ast)
Grant Williams, PF: 21.4 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Nick Smith Jr., PG: 11.2 FPTS (5.5 pts, 1.1 reb, 1.0 ast)
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Mavericks in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, (GTD - Elbow); Dereck Lively II, (OUT - Personal)
Pistons: Quentin Grimes, (GTD - Knee)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 59.2 FPTS (35.2 pts, 8.4 reb, 8.5 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 44.0 FPTS (25.5 pts, 5.0 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)
P.J. Washington, PF: 27.5 FPTS (15.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 18.1 FPTS (7.9 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.6 blk)
Josh Green, SG/SF: 17.9 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 14.6 FPTS (8.1 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Dante Exum, PG: 12.2 FPTS (5.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.8 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 37.1 FPTS (21.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 7.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF: 29.4 FPTS (13.9 pts, 7.7 reb, 2.0 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 28.6 FPTS (12.6 pts, 10.7 reb, 2.6 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 23.5 FPTS (14.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.3 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 22.6 FPTS (11.2 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.9 ast)
Simone Fontecchio, SF: 18.9 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 13.8 FPTS (6.3 pts, 1.5 reb, 2.3 ast)
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns
8:30 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Pelvis); Jayson Tatum, (GTD - Ankle); Neemias Queta, (GTD - Knee)
Suns: Devin Booker, (GTD - Ankle); Josh Okogie, (OUT - Abdomen); Nassir Little, (OUT - Knee); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 44.1 FPTS (25.4 pts, 7.4 reb, 4.7 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 36.9 FPTS (22.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 32.2 FPTS (18.9 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.7 blk)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 29.3 FPTS (13.0 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.7 ast)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 26.4 FPTS (11.2 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Xavier Tillman, PF/C: 14.5 FPTS (6.7 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.4 ast)
Al Horford, PF/C: 13.9 FPTS (4.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.1 ast)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 48.9 FPTS (29.7 pts, 6.2 reb, 6.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 32.0 FPTS (17.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.3 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 29.5 FPTS (11.7 pts, 10.1 reb, 3.8 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 26.9 FPTS (11.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Royce O'Neale, SF: 24.8 FPTS (8.6 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 16.7 FPTS (7.8 pts, 1.7 reb, 2.0 ast)
Drew Eubanks, PF: 14.6 FPTS (6.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.0 ast)
San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors
8:30 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
BPI Projection: Warriors in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (OUT - Ankle); Victor Wembanyama, (OUT - Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)
Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis, (GTD - Ankle); Stephen Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Spurs projections:
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 41.6 FPTS (24.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Tre Jones, PG: 29.1 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 6.1 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 28.1 FPTS (13.4 pts, 7.2 reb, 2.8 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 26.3 FPTS (13.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.5 ast)
Malaki Branham, SG: 20.1 FPTS (10.9 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.2 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 19.8 FPTS (9.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.4 ast)
Julian Champagnie, SG/SF: 13.8 FPTS (5.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Warriors projections:
Brandin Podziemski, SG: 31.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 7.2 reb, 4.6 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 27.8 FPTS (15.6 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.4 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 27.4 FPTS (9.5 pts, 7.4 reb, 5.4 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 26.1 FPTS (14.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.3 ast)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 25.9 FPTS (14.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Chris Paul, PG: 24.7 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.1 ast)
Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF: 16.4 FPTS (7.4 pts, 5.0 reb, 0.9 ast)
Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver
BPI Projection: Nuggets in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Keyonte George, (GTD - Illness); Otto Porter Jr., (GTD - Not Injury Related); Walker Kessler, (GTD - Foot); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Quadriceps); Taylor Hendricks, (OUT - Toe)
Nuggets: Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Arm); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Jazz projections:
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 39.6 FPTS (21.9 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.0 ast)
John Collins, PF: 35.3 FPTS (19.9 pts, 9.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Jordan Clarkson, SG: 32.7 FPTS (19.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 5.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 27.9 FPTS (15.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 20.9 FPTS (10.3 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.9 ast)
Kris Dunn, PG: 20.7 FPTS (8.4 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.2 ast)
Brice Sensabaugh, SF: 16.2 FPTS (11.3 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.1 ast)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 54.4 FPTS (26.2 pts, 11.5 reb, 7.4 ast)
Jamal Murray, PG: 39.0 FPTS (21.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 33.1 FPTS (17.7 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Aaron Gordon, PF: 28.0 FPTS (14.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.1 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 21.7 FPTS (11.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.8 ast)
Reggie Jackson, PG: 16.0 FPTS (6.4 pts, 1.6 reb, 3.2 ast)
Christian Braun, SG: 14.8 FPTS (7.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
BPI Projection: Raptors in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (OUT - Knee); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand)
Blazers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD - Hand); Jabari Walker, (GTD - Hip); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Scoot Henderson, (GTD - Thigh); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)
Raptors projections:
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 42.1 FPTS (22.6 pts, 4.6 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.8 3PM)
RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 40.5 FPTS (25.9 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C: 30.5 FPTS (12.2 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.5 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 26.3 FPTS (15.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Gradey Dick, SG: 20.0 FPTS (11.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Jordan Nwora, SF: 15.9 FPTS (8.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG: 14.0 FPTS (6.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Blazers projections:
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 42.9 FPTS (26.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 6.3 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Duop Reath, C: 23.1 FPTS (13.1 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.0 ast)
Toumani Camara, PF: 23.0 FPTS (11.4 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.4 ast)
Kris Murray, PF: 19.8 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF: 19.6 FPTS (6.8 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.2 ast)
Dalano Banton, PG: 19.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.7 ast)
Ashton Hagans, PG: 15.1 FPTS (6.1 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.5 ast)