Fantasy basketball suggestions and NBA betting picks for Friday
ESPN’s fantasy basketball and basketball betting suggestions cheat sheet is your pregame vacation spot for basketball betting predictions and our greatest intel and knowledge, that includes ESPN’s proprietary Basketball Energy Index (BPI) that can assist you make good fantasy and wagering selections. NBA recreation odds for Friday, Feb. 24 are offered by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy recommendation relies on ESPN 10-team leagues.
What that you must know for Friday’s video games
Statistical success might be pushed by who is not on the ground. Which is to say, the absence of high-usage gamers can reveal sustainable fantasy values deeper in rotations.
Take the Minnesota Timberwolves, a workforce that not too long ago dealt a shot-happy D’Angelo Russell and has been with out famous person offensive drive Karl-Anthony Cities for a lot of the season. A previously quiet function participant akin to Jaden McDaniels (72% obtainable in ESPN leagues), one of many league’s most versatile and gifted perimeter defenders, has elevated his offensive affect given the necessity created by his lacking friends. Even Russell’s ankle damage final night time for the Los Angeles Lakers may create a brand new function for Dennis Schroder (71%).
Charlotte Hornets protection tonight that’s permitting 44.1 DraftKings factors per recreation to small forwards, the second-highest clip within the league. McDaniels, in the meantime, is certainly one of simply 11 NBA gamers at present averaging not less than .9 blocks and .9 steals per recreation. With Cities and Russell off the ground this season, he is loved a leap of 4.5 DraftKings factors per 36 minutes, second solely to Anthony Edwards. Such splits scream worth.
With Kyle Lowry nonetheless sidelined for the Miami Warmth, Steve Alexander particulars beneath the important thing beneficiary on this situation. Each Jalen Inexperienced and Kevin Porter Jr. are ailing for the Houston Rockets, pushing rookie Jabari Smith Jr. (62%) right into a important scoring and creation function. Checking the league’s up to date damage report near recreation time can typically show fairly useful for proactive managers forward of a busy Friday schedule.
Sport of the Night time
Miami Warmth at Milwaukee Bucks
7:30 p.m ET, Fiserv Discussion board, Milwaukee, WI
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Warmth: 32-27 (21-35-3)
Bucks: 41-17 (32-23-3)
Line: Bucks (-1)
BPI Projection: Bucks: 119.4-110.7
Cash Line: Warmth (+100), Bucks (-120)
BPI Projected winner: Bucks (69.4%)
Complete: 219 BPI Projected Complete: 226.9
Harm Report:
Warmth: Tyler Herro, (GTD – Knee); Nikola Jovic, (OUT – Again); Omer Yurtseven, (OUT – Ankle); Kyle Lowry, (OUT – Knee)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Wrist); Pat Connaughton, (GTD – Calf); Wesley Matthews, (OUT – Calf)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Development: The Bucks got here out of the All-Star Break in type final season (11-5 ATS) and are a formidable 18-11 ATS at dwelling this season. That is not a nasty pattern to take right into a recreation towards the Warmth that did not cowl eight of 10 video games coming into the break and has did not cowl all three video games this month towards the six groups that entered the break forward of them in East. -Kyle Soppe
Fantasy streamer: Gabe Vincent (rostered in 3.4% of ESPN leagues) would be the Warmth’s level guard till additional discover with Kyle Lowry sidelined with a knee damage. Vincent has responded effectively to the problem and is averaging 15.9 factors, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.8 steals and a couple of.8 3-pointers in his 11 begins this season. He is additionally scored between 15 and 21 factors in every of his final three video games, has not less than one steal in seven straight, and has drained 11 triples over his final three. He isn’t going to get you a ton of assists for some extent guard, however he is doing sufficient of every part else to be utilized in nearly any fantasy league proper now. And with a factors over/underneath of 12.5 tonight, he additionally appears like a Greatest Guess for the over. Particularly since he torched Jrue Vacation for 27 and 28 factors in back-to-back video games towards the Bucks in January. -Steve Alexander
Fantasy streamer: Kevin Love (rostered in 11.5% of ESPN leagues) is an intriguing streamer in deeper codecs towards a Bucks workforce who can be with out Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Warmth’s second unit desperately wants offense, which is why Miami introduced him in. Because the Warmth do not have a lot depth behind Bam Adebayo, Love is an important rotation participant. With 10.5 rebounds per recreation throughout his prolonged NBA profession, Love ought to instantly enhance the Warmth within the rebounding division, the place they rank twenty seventh with 41.4 RPG. -Eric Moody
Greatest wager: Jrue Vacation over 21.5 factors. Giannis Antetokounmpo (wrist) is uncertain tonight and that often signifies that it is Vacation time for the Bucks. When Giannis sat from Jan. 12 to Jan. 21 earlier this season, Vacation led the workforce in scoring in 4 of their 5 video games, racking up between 24 and 37 factors in these 5. And he had 12 factors and 10 assists on 5-of-14 taking pictures within the different one (towards the Warmth on Jan. 14). The one concern is that the Warmth typically play stable protection towards opposing level guards, giving up simply 22 factors per recreation to the place. And it simply so occurs that is the precise quantity we’re searching for. And whereas the Warmth slowed Vacation down in that Jan. 14 recreation, he received them for twenty-four factors two days earlier on Jan. 12. -Alexander
Breaking down the remainder of the slate
New York Knicks at Washington Wizards
7:00 p.m ET, Capital One Area, Washington, DC
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Knicks: 33-27 (32-27-1)
Wizards: 28-30 (28-29-1)
Line: Knicks (-2)
BPI Projection: Knicks: 117.5-115
Cash Line: Knicks (-130), Wizards (+110)
BPI Projected winner: Knicks (59.4%)
Complete: 224.5 BPI Projected Complete: 232.5
Harm Report:
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson, (GTD – Thumb); Evan Fournier, (OUT – Sickness)
Wizards: Bradley Beal, (GTD – Knee)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Fantasy streamer: Immanuel Quickley (rostered in 18.4% of ESPN leagues) has scored 14 factors in back-to-back video games and has scored in double digits in 5 straight video games regardless of coming off the bench and enjoying with a red-hot Jalen Brunson. The Knicks performed the Wizards twice in January and Quickley torched them for 18 factors in every recreation, combining to hit 13 of 26 photographs and three 3-pointers. He is been certainly one of Tom Thibodeau’s key bench gamers since simply earlier than Christmas and he ought to most likely be rostered in additional leagues than he’s at present. -Alexander
Greatest wager: Knicks -2.0. Bradley Beal is questionable for tonight’s recreation on account of proper knee soreness. He hasn’t practiced because the Wizards returned from the All-Star break. The Knicks gained three consecutive video games coming into the All-Star break. In its final six video games, New York has gone 4-1-1 towards the unfold. The Knicks ought to deal with enterprise on the street. -Moody
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m ET, State Farm Area, Atlanta, GA
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Cavaliers: 38-24 (32-28-2)
Hawks: 29-30 (26-31-2)
Line: Hawks (-1)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers: 119.4-117.6
Cash Line: Cavaliers (-110), Hawks (-110)
BPI Projected winner: Cavaliers (56.5%)
Complete: 227.5 BPI Projected Complete: 237
Harm Report:
Cavaliers: Ricky Rubio, (GTD – Knee)
Hawks: John Collins, (OUT – Concussion)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Greatest Guess: Jarrett Allen over 10.5 rebounds: Allen hit this for me final night time towards Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets and has now rattled off not less than 11 rebounds in seven of his previous 10 video games. The Hawks are the Eleventh-worst workforce within the league at giving up rebounds to opposing facilities and Allen had 11 boards towards Atlanta of their solely different assembly up to now this season. Simply be certain that he is enjoying on the second night time of a back-to-back. -Alexander
Greatest wager: Evan Mobley over 29.5 factors+assists+rebounds. The Hawks are with out John Collins tonight which positions Mobley for achievement. The Cavaliers will seemingly exploit this mismatch towards an Atlanta workforce that ranks twenty first in factors allowed per 100 possessions. The Hawks are additionally not a robust rebounding workforce. Mobley has averaged 18.6 factors, 2.6 assists, and 9.3 rebounds over the past eight video games. -Moody
Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves
8:00 p.m ET, Goal Middle, Minneapolis, MN
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Hornets: 17-43 (25-33-2)
Timberwolves: 31-30 (29-32-0)
Line: Timberwolves (-6)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves: 125-117.1
Cash Line: Hornets (+185), Timberwolves (-225)
BPI Projected winner: Timberwolves (75.6%)
Complete: 241 BPI Projected Complete: 242.1
Harm Report:
Hornets: Kelly Oubre Jr., (GTD – Hand); Terry Rozier, (GTD – Hand); Cody Martin, (OUT – Knee)
Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Cities, (OUT – Calf)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Development: The Minnesota Timberwolves have seen six of their previous eight dwelling video games go underneath the whole and have lined six of their previous 9 in entrance of their dwelling followers. Working properly alongside that’s the truth that the Charlotte Hornets are 3-8 ATS over their previous 11 street video games and 10-19-2 ATS when underneath tickets money. One for the street? Beneath tickets are 15-4 when the ‘Wolves play a top-10 tempo workforce.-Soppe
Fantasy streamer: Mark Williams (rostered in 15.4% of ESPN leagues) is value streaming for the blocks alone and is coming off a recreation towards the Spurs final Wednesday when he racked up 15 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. He has not less than one block in 9 of his final 10 video games and has eight blocks over his final three. He is additionally scored in double figures in three of his final 4 video games and has hit double digits in rebounds in two of his final 4. And Williams ought to see a ton of minutes making an attempt to assist include Rudy Gobert tonight. -Alexander
Greatest wager: Kyle Anderson over 11.5 factors. Anderson is coming off a trio of 18-, 12- and 12-point video games and the Hornets are the third-worst workforce within the league towards small forwards relating to scoring. Anderson’s streak would most likely be longer however he performed simply 13 minutes in a bizarre blowout win towards the Nuggets on Feb. 5. He is gotten 24 and 31 minutes in his final two video games and ought to be as rested as anybody after taking the final week off. The bizarre fluctuation in minutes is a minor concern with SloMo however he is trending in the fitting route after the stable run in his final two video games, And the Hornets ought to be straightforward pickins’ for him tonight. -Alexander
Greatest wager: LaMelo Ball over 41.5 factors+assists+rebounds. In three of his final 4 video games, Ball has exceeded 41.5 PAR. It’s anticipated that the sport can have a quick tempo and be excessive scoring, so Ball is in a terrific place to succeed towards a Timberwolves workforce that provides up the sixth most factors per recreation and essentially the most rebounds per recreation to level guards. -Moody
Greatest wager: Rudy Gobert over 14.5 rebounds. Gobert has 14 or extra rebounds in two of his final three video games. Towards the Hornets, who’ve allowed essentially the most rebounds per recreation to facilities this season, he has a really favorable matchup.-Moody
Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls
8:00 p.m ET, United Middle, Chicago, IL
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Nets: 34-24 (31-27-0)
Bulls: 26-33 (30-29-0)
Line: Bulls (-2)
BPI Projection: Bulls: 125-112
Cash Line: Nets (+110), Bulls (-130)
BPI Projected winner: Bulls (54.7%)
Complete: 222.5 BPI Projected Complete: 225.2
Harm Report:
Nets: Ben Simmons, (GTD – Knee)
Bulls: Goran Dragic, (GTD – Knee); Javonte Inexperienced, (OUT – Knee); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Knee)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Greatest wager: Nikola Vucevic over 11.5 rebounds. Vuc torched the Nets for 15 factors and 17 rebounds once they met on Feb. 9 and is averaging 13.2 rebounds in his 9 February video games. He is did not hit not less than 12 rebounds solely twice in these 9 video games, going for 11 in certainly one of them and simply seven rebounds towards the Pacers on Feb. 15. However the reality he performed so effectively towards Nic Claxton a pair weeks in the past means he ought to have the ability to do it once more tonight. The Bulls are determined to snap their six-game dropping streak and Vuc must come by means of with an enormous line tonight to make it occur. -Alexander
Greatest wager: Zach LaVine over 23.5 factors. LaVine additionally torched the Nets for 38 factors on Feb. 9 when defensive wiz Mikal Bridges was busy coping with DeMar DeRozan, who scored simply 14 in that one. After LaVine received the Nets for 38 he had 23 towards the Cavs, 26 towards the Magic and scored 35 factors towards the Pacers final Wednesday. He hit simply 5-of-16 photographs for 18 factors towards the Bucks final Thursday however ought to be able to get again into the scoring groove tonight. He took 25 photographs towards Brooklyn, hitting 16 of them, and I am searching for a repeat efficiency this night. -Alexander
Greatest wager: DeMar DeRozan underneath 22.5 factors. As I discussed above, DeRozan scored simply 14 factors in a Feb. 9 assembly towards Bridges and the Nets, and if Bridges will get the DeRozan project once more tonight DD ought to battle. Bridges has shut down RJ Barrett, DeRozan, Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler in every of his final 4 video games, holding the foursome to a grand whole of 34 factors – a mean of simply 8.5 factors per participant. And contemplating these 4 gamers are averaging a collective 20.6 factors per recreation what Bridges is doing is nothing in need of wonderful. If DeRozan can rating 23 factors tonight he can have earned it truthfully. -Alexander
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at Phoenix Suns
10:00 p.m ET, Footprint Middle, Phoenix, AZ
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Thunder: 28-30 (37-21-0)
Suns: 32-28 (32-28-0)
Line: Suns (-7)
BPI Projection: Suns: 123.8-118.4
Cash Line: Thunder (+228), Suns (-285)
BPI Projected winner: Suns (68.8%)
Complete: 230.5 BPI Projected Complete: 242.2
Harm Report:
Thunder: Aleksej Pokusevski, (OUT – Decrease Leg); Chet Holmgren, (OUT – Foot)
Suns: Cameron Payne, (GTD – Foot); Kevin Durant, (OUT – Knee); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Foot)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Development: Kevin Durant is predicted to return in the midst of subsequent week, so he will not think about towards his former workforce tonight. The Thunder entered the break having lined 14 of 19 video games, an prolonged run of overachieving that’s definitely value noting. In case you’re telling your self a narrative of the Thunder masking, what’s the most probably end result when it comes to the whole? Unders are 17-10 when the Suns fail to cowl this season and 6-3 within the Thunder’s previous 9 covers, a pattern that signifies an adjustment by the books (overs had hit of their prior seven covers). -Soppe
Greatest wager: Devin Booker over 35.5 factors+assists+rebounds. Booker’s minutes allocation continues to rise, which is sweet information for bettors. During the last two seasons, he has performed 35 or extra minutes in 52 video games and averaged 29.9 factors, 5.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. Since Kevin Durant has already been dominated out for tonight’s recreation, Booker will proceed to be closely relied upon as a scorer. -Moody
Greatest wager: Deandre Ayton over 20.5 factors. Ayton has been on a scoring tear of late and is averaging 24 factors per recreation in February. He had solely 18 factors towards the Clippers final Thursday earlier than the All-Star break, however previous to that he scored not less than 22 factors in 5 straight video games, racking up 31, 35 and 29 factors in three of these. Jaylin Williams can be overmatched tonight and I am guessing Ayton can be licking his chops. This can be Ayton’s first assembly towards the Thunder this season so there’s not a number of historical past to go on, however Ayton ought to have the ability to get 21 factors towards the Thunder with out having to work extremely laborious. -Alexander
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
10:00 p.m ET, Chase Middle, San Francisco, CA
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Rockets: 13-45 (22-33-3)
Warriors: 29-30 (26-32-1)
Line: Warriors (-10.5)
BPI Projection: Warriors: 123.8-114.2
Cash Line: Rockets (+400), Warriors (-550)
BPI Projected winner: Warriors (79.3%)
Complete: 231 BPI Projected Complete: 237.6
Harm Report:
Rockets: Jalen Inexperienced, (OUT – Groin); Kevin Porter Jr., (OUT – Foot)
Warriors: Andre Iguodala, (GTD – Hip); Andrew Wiggins, (GTD – Private); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Decrease Leg); Gary Payton II, (OUT – Stomach); Ryan Rollins, (OUT – Foot)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Greatest wager: Jordan Poole over 26.5 factors. Andrew Wiggins and Stephen Curry are nonetheless out, so the Warriors can be closely relying upon Poole. The Warriors face a Rockets workforce that ranks twenty eighth in factors allowed per 100 possessions. Houston additionally permits opponents an efficient subject objective share of 56.1%, the fifth highest within the league. -Moody
Sacramento Kings at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m ET, Crypto.com Area, Los Angeles, CA
Information (Towards the Unfold)
Kings: 33-25 (31-27-0)
Clippers: 33-28 (31-30-0)
Line: Clippers (-6.5)
BPI Projection: Clippers: 128.2-120.2
Cash Line: Kings (+210), Clippers (-260)
BPI Projected winner: Clippers (76.3%)
Complete: 237.5 BPI Projected Complete: 248.4
Harm Report:
Kings: KZ Okpala, (GTD – Knee)
Clippers: Ivica Zubac, (OUT – Calf)
Word: BPI numbers issue gamers who’re dominated out however assumes GTD gamers will play
Development: The Clippers went 9-4 ATS over their closing 13 video games of the primary half and have lined every of their previous 4 video games towards top-10 tempo groups. In case you’re extra of a totals bettor, it is value noting that 5 of the Kings’ previous six video games (each total and when enjoying on the second night time of a back-to-back) have gone over the projected whole. In an effort to carry issues full circle, the Clips are 6-2 ATS over the previous month when a recreation goes over the quantity. -Soppe
