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Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Sunday

Marvin Bagley III is one of several Wizards worth streaming on Sunday. Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

After a sleepy three-game slate on Saturday the NBA is back in full force on Sunday with 10 games starting with the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the Denver Nuggets at 3:30 p.m ET and ending with the Utah Jazz at the Sacramento Kings at 9:00 p.m ET.

There are only two playoff spots up for grabs, including one in each conference. The Hawks are still 5.0 games up on the Nets, meaning Atlanta should get the last spot in the East when it's all said done. The race is a little tighter out West, where the Lakers hold just a 1.0 game lead on the unbelievably hot Rockets for the final play-in spot. The Rockets have somehow won 11 straight games and appear to be fueled by a desire to knock Draymond Green, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson out of the playoffs. And the Warriors have a date with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs tonight at 7:00 p.m. while the Rockets will try to make it 12 in a row at home against the streaking Dallas Mavericks (six straight wins) and Luka Doncic.

Jalen Green has been on an incredible run for Houston since Alperen Sengun went down. He has scored at least 34 points three of his last four games and has averaged 28.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 4.1 3-pointers in March. I'm thinking with the playoff drama involved and the fact we also get Wemby and Luka, these are two games I'm watching tonight, and the Warriors and Spurs even play on national television. And in case you missed Wemby on Friday, he had a little ho-hum 40 points, 20 rebounds, seven dimes, two steals, a block and four 3-pointers in an overtime win against the Knicks, giving the Spurs two straight Ws. And don't forget to set your alarm clocks for Thursday night as the Warriors will travel to Houston for a game that could decide both team's postseason fates.

Other premier games include the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the New York Knicks at 7:00 p.m. ET and the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Chicago Bulls at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Thunder and Wolves are both 51-22 and tied atop the Western Conference in a fight for home court through the Western Finals. Another team to keep an eye on is the Mavericks, who are at Houston. The Mavs sit just a half game back of the New Orleans Pelicans for fifth place in the West, as well as for the lead in the Southwest Division. If Dallas can overtake the Pelicans for fifth place and win their division, the case for Luka to win MVP will start looking better and better. The Mavs have rattled off six straight Ws and will look to make it seven straight tonight at Houston. The Pelicans are off tonight and get the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

Sunday's stream team

Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Wizards (Rostered in 11.5% of ESPN leagues): Make sure Richaun Holmes (toe) is out before putting Bagley in your lineup, but if Bagley gets the start he'll be worth a look tonight after scoring in double figures in four straight games and with averages of 12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in six games this month. You might want to look for a different option if you're in a blocks race, but Bagley has been shooting it well at the free throw line, knocking down each of his last seven attempts.

Corey Kispert, SG/SF, Wizards (6.6%): Kispert is coming off a 23-point, six-rebound and five 3-pointer effort against the Pistons on Friday that saw him score his high for the month of March. He's hit double digits in scoring in six straight games, hitting 19 triples over that stretch, and is also capable of getting some steals, as well. He's played at least 30 minutes in each of those six games.

Kelly Olynyk, PF/C, Raptors (28%): Olynyk has been quietly effective recently hitting double digits in scoring in four straight games with averages of 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 3-pointers. And while he didn't block a shot against the Knicks on Friday he has blocked four of them over his last five games. He's also been getting at least 27 minutes a night for most of March and is the only available big man for Toronto right now.

Vasilije Micic, PG/SG, Hornets (5.9%): Micic fell off a cliff for a couple games but is returning to form after going for 10 points, eight assists and two steals on Friday, along with 11 points, 12 dimes and two steals on Wednesday. And he's got a tantalizing matchup with the Clippers, who give up the sixth-highest points to opposing point guards this season. Even with the duds, Micic has averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 dimes, 1.1 steals and 1.1 3-pointers in the month of March.

Miles McBride, PG, Knicks (11.8%): McBride was a fantasy mess on Friday, hitting just 3-of-9 shots for seven points, two rebounds and three assists in a loss to the Spurs. Maybe he got Wemby'd, but the key takeaways from that game should focus on the fact he played a whopping 46 minutes and also had four steals. And McBride went off for 29 points, three rebounds, seven assists, a steal and nine triples on Wednesday at Toronto. He averaged 21.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 4.6 triples over his previous five games before Friday's dud, so I'm looking for him to bounce back against the Thunder, who just so happens to be the eighth-worst team defensively against opposing shooting guards.

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.


Cleveland Cavaliers at Denver Nuggets
3:30 p.m.m Ball Arena, Denver


BPI Projection: Nuggets in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD - Wrist); Craig Porter, (GTD - Illness); Isaac Okoro, (GTD - Toe); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, (GTD - Knee); Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Wrist); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee); Zeke Nnaji, (OUT - Thigh)

Cavaliers projections:

  • Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 45.0 FPTS (25.4 pts, 4.6 reb, 5.6 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Darius Garland, PG: 38.9 FPTS (20.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Jarrett Allen, C: 33.4 FPTS (15.2 pts, 9.9 reb, 2.8 ast)

  • Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 28.0 FPTS (12.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.6 ast)

  • Evan Mobley, PF/C: 27.4 FPTS (12.7 pts, 7.0 reb, 2.9 ast)

  • Max Strus, SG/SF: 24.3 FPTS (9.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 15.8 FPTS (8.0 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.3 ast)

Nuggets projections:


Los Angeles Lakers at Brooklyn Nets
6 p.m. Barclays Center, New York


BPI Projection: Lakers in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Knee); Gabe Vincent, (GTD - Knee); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)
Nets: Cameron Johnson, (GTD - Toe); Dennis Smith Jr., (GTD - Hip); Ben Simmons, (OUT - Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT - Lower Leg); Keita Bates-Diop, (OUT - Lower Leg)

Lakers projections:

Nets projections:


LA Clippers at Charlotte Hornets
6 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC


BPI Projection: Clippers in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (GTD - Thumb); Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Hand)
Hornets: Aleksej Pokusevski, (GTD - Illness); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)

Clippers projections:

  • Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 42.7 FPTS (23.4 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • James Harden, PG/SG: 40.1 FPTS (16.5 pts, 5.0 reb, 8.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)

  • Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 39.0 FPTS (21.3 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.4 ast, 3.1 3PM)

  • Ivica Zubac, C: 26.9 FPTS (11.9 pts, 8.8 reb, 1.1 ast)

  • Norman Powell, SG/SF: 22.6 FPTS (13.0 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.0 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Russell Westbrook, PG: 20.5 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.1 ast)

  • Terance Mann, SG/SF: 19.5 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast)

Hornets projections:


Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors
6 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto


BPI Projection: 76ers in the 10th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back)
Raptors: RJ Barrett, (GTD - Personal); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT - Personal); Ochai Agbaji, (OUT - Hip); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand); Jontay Porter, (OUT - Personal)

76ers projections:

  • Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 48.9 FPTS (27.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 3.1 3PM)

  • Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 34.4 FPTS (16.4 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.6 ast)

  • Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF: 32.9 FPTS (17.4 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.2 ast)

  • Kyle Lowry, PG: 23.1 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.8 ast)

  • Paul Reed, PF/C: 18.1 FPTS (7.9 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.1 ast)

  • Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 17.1 FPTS (7.1 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Mo Bamba, C: 16.5 FPTS (6.5 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.5 blk)

Raptors projections:


Miami Heat at Washington Wizards
6 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.


BPI Projection: Heat in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Heat: Duncan Robinson, (GTD - Back); Nikola Jovic, (GTD - Knee); Caleb Martin, (OUT - Ankle); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)
Wizards: Kyle Kuzma, (GTD - Heel); Richaun Holmes, (GTD - Toe); Eugene Omoruyi, (OUT - Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Calf); Tyus Jones, (OUT - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Hip)

Heat projections:

Wizards projections:


Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks
7 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York


BPI Projection: Thunder in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD - Quadriceps)
Knicks: Alec Burks, (GTD - Shoulder); Duane Washington Jr., (GTD - Knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (GTD - Wrist); Mitchell Robinson, (GTD - Ankle); OG Anunoby, (OUT - Elbow); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder)

Thunder projections:

Knicks projections:


Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets
7 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston


BPI Projection: Rockets in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, (GTD - Knee); Josh Green, (OUT - Ankle)
Rockets: Cam Whitmore, (GTD - Knee); Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg)

Mavericks projections:

Rockets projections:


Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves
7 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis


BPI Projection: Timberwolves in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Ankle); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD - Illness); Julian Phillips, (OUT - Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Finger); Jordan McLaughlin, (GTD - Shoulder); Rudy Gobert, (GTD - Ribs); Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)

Bulls projections:

Timberwolves projections:


Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs
7 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio


BPI Projection: Warriors in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD - Knee); Klay Thompson, (GTD - Knee); Dario Saric, (OUT - Knee)
Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, (OUT - Ankle); Keldon Johnson, (OUT - Foot); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)

Warriors projections:

Spurs projections:


Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. Golden 1 Center, Sacramento


BPI Projection: Kings in the highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Jazz: John Collins, (GTD - Back); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT - Back); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Shoulder)
Kings: Sasha Vezenkov, (GTD - Ankle); Trey Lyles, (GTD - Knee); Malik Monk, (OUT - Knee); Kevin Huerter, (OUT - Shoulder)

Jazz projections:

Kings projections: