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Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Wednesday

Trendon Watford is an intriguing option for deeper fantasy leagues with a favorable matchup for Wednesday night. Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

Wednesday features a pair of gems on ESPN, starting with the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) and Jalen Williams (ankle) both missed Tuesday's game and the Thunder took an L to the Philadelphia 76ers, who welcomed back Joel Embiid, making his first appearance since Jan. 30 due to a meniscus injury. Embiid racked up 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block and Kelly Oubre led the way with 25 points for the Sixers, while Chet Holmgren paced the Thunder with 22 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and three 3-pointers. SGA and Williams will both be game-time calls for the Thunder on Wednesday, but there's a chance both of them will play tonight. Especially since they're still battling with the Nuggets and Timberwolves for the No. 1 seed in the West.

Game 2 features the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Phoenix Suns. Donovan Mitchell missed Tuesday due to knee maintenance and Caris LeVert led the way with 26 points in a win at Utah, but I expect Mitchell to be back in action tonight. If Mitchell plays, don't look for a repeat performance from LeVert.

For the Suns, Grayson Allen is questionable with a hip injury. If he's out, Eric Gordon could be primed for a big game against the Cavaliers, while Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal should all go off. Speaking of Booker, he has six 40-point games this season and scored 27 points against Cleveland in their previous meeting and KD went off for 37 points, eight rebounds, six dimes, a steal and five triples in that one. The Cavs may be locked into the No. 3 seed in the East, while the Suns are fighting to get past the Kings and slumping Pelicans for the coveted No. 6 seed in the West.


Wednesday's Stream Team

Dalano Banton, PG, Portland Trail Blazers (11.1% rostered in ESPN leagues)

Banton is officially my Silly-Season MVP and he is coming off a game in which he scored 26 points with five rebounds, five assists, three steals, two blocks and four 3-pointers against the Magic on Monday. He has scored in double figures in 11 straight games and has played at least 30 minutes in each of his past five games. Throw him into a lineup or two tonight and don't look back.

Grant Williams, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets (6.1%)

Williams has been starting and playing well for the Hornets, but suffered a right ankle sprain on Monday against the Celtics that leaves him questionable for Wednesday. He had 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two 3-pointers against Boston and has been a hot pickup, but fantasy managers will want to make sure he is good to go tonight before locking him in. If Williams is out, Nick Richards (10.1% rostered) appears to be healthy and is an intriguing fantasy option. But if both players cam play tnoight, I'd roll with Williams over Richards. Visilije Micic is doubtful for Wednesday because of a shoulder injury, meaning Tre Mann (7.0%) will be a popular point guard play in fantasy and DFS lineups tonight.

Jalen Smith, PF/C Indiana Pacers (2.7%)

If Myles Turner (finger) sits out Wednesday, Smith should be in for another good night for the Pacers. He racked up 17 points, 10 rebounds, a block and a 3-pointer on Monday against the Nets, but I'd only be comfortable starting him if Turner is out. Turner could be a game-time decision and while Isaiah Jackson is also worth a look. However, I like Smith over Jackson.

Sam Hauser, SF, Boston Celtics (4.4%)

Hauser is another player who is pending for fantasy use, depending on whether or not Jaylen Brown sits against the Thunder tonight. If Brown is out, Hauser is coming off a stellar game of 25 points, five rebounds and seven 3-pointers on 9-of-13 shooting on Monday and could do it again despite some inconsistency this season. Brown is currently questionable against OKC with a hand injury and if he doesn't play, I think Hauser will have another big game off the C's bench.

Trendon Watford, PF, Brooklyn Nets (1.0%)

Watford went off for 21 points, two rebounds, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer on 8-of-11 shooting in 34 minutes on Monday. He benefited from the absence of Cameron Johnson in that game. However, he has scored in double digits in five straight games, is a better rebounder than he showed on Monday. Watford has at least one steal in four straight games and has blocked at least one shot in three of his past four games. He is particularly intriguing in deeper leagues, as well as a cheap DFS option on Wednesday night.


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.


Portland Trail Blazers at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC


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

Injury Report:
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD - Elbow); Anfernee Simons, (OUT - Knee); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Ankle); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee); Toumani Camara, (OUT - Ribs)
Hornets: Brandon Miller, (GTD - Ankle); Grant Williams, (GTD - Ankle); Miles Bridges, (GTD - Wrist); Vasilije Micic, (GTD - Shoulder); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)

Blazers projections:

Hornets projections:


Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.


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

Injury Report:
Lakers: Cam Reddish, (GTD - Personal); Gabe Vincent, (GTD - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (GTD - Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)
Wizards: Kyle Kuzma, (GTD - Heel); Landry Shamet, (GTD - Calf); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD - Knee); Richaun Holmes, (GTD - Toe); Tyus Jones, (GTD - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Hip)

Lakers projections:

Wizards projections:


Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, Atlanta


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

Injury Report:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee); Marcus Sasser, (GTD - Illness); Taj Gibson, (GTD - Hamstring); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT - Toe); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle)
Hawks: Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT - Elbow); Trae Young, (OUT - Finger); AJ Griffin, (OUT - Ankle); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT - Toe); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)

Pistons projections:

Hawks projections:


Oklahoma City Thunder at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston


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

Injury Report:
Thunder: Jalen Williams, (GTD - Ankle); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD - Quadriceps)
Celtics: Jaden Springer, (GTD - Knee); Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Hand)

Thunder projections:

Celtics projections:

  • Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 46.9 FPTS (28.3 pts, 7.4 reb, 5.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 34.1 FPTS (21.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)

  • Derrick White, PG/SG: 30.7 FPTS (14.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 30.6 FPTS (13.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 5.0 ast)

  • Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 29.7 FPTS (17.7 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.7 blk)

  • Al Horford, PF/C: 20.8 FPTS (8.2 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.8 ast)

  • Sam Hauser, SF: 13.7 FPTS (6.4 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)


Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. Barclays Center, New York


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

Injury Report:
Pacers: Myles Turner, (GTD - Finger); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Shoulder)
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)

Pacers projections:

Nets projections:


Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee


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

Injury Report:
Grizzlies: John Konchar, (GTD - Heel); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Back); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT - Personal); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Derrick Rose, (OUT - Groin); Ja Morant, (OUT - Shoulder); Ziaire Williams, (OUT - Hip)
Bucks: Damian Lillard, (GTD - Groin); Patrick Beverley, (GTD - Ankle)

Grizzlies projections:

Bucks projections:


Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis


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

Injury Report:
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (GTD - Knee); D.J. Carton, (GTD - Ankle); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD - Rest); Ochai Agbaji, (GTD - Hip); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); Jontay Porter, (OUT - Personal)
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (GTD - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)

Raptors projections:

  • Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 38.9 FPTS (21.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)

  • RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 34.3 FPTS (21.1 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • Kelly Olynyk, PF/C: 26.6 FPTS (11.7 pts, 6.3 reb, 4.1 ast)

  • Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 23.1 FPTS (12.7 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)

  • Gradey Dick, SG: 20.7 FPTS (12.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 ast)

  • Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 18.9 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.2 ast)

  • Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 16.6 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.2 ast)

Timberwolves projections:


Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans


BPI Projection: Pelicans in the 9th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Magic: Caleb Houstan, (GTD - Ankle)
Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, (OUT - Oblique); Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Knee)

Magic projections:

Pelicans projections:


Cleveland Cavaliers at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix


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

Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Craig Porter, (GTD - Illness); Donovan Mitchell, (GTD - Knee); Isaac Okoro, (GTD - Toe); Ty Jerome, (GTD - Ankle); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee)
Suns: Grayson Allen, (GTD - Hip); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)

Cavaliers projections:

  • Darius Garland, PG: 35.8 FPTS (18.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)

  • Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 33.3 FPTS (16.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 5.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • Jarrett Allen, C: 33.3 FPTS (16.3 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.7 ast)

  • Evan Mobley, PF/C: 30.2 FPTS (14.0 pts, 8.0 reb, 3.2 ast)

  • Max Strus, SG/SF: 25.2 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)

  • Sam Merrill, SG: 18.8 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.4 3PM)

  • Georges Niang, PF: 17.3 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

Suns projections: