ESPN’s fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night’s games. Here you’ll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Tuesday’s games
The Houston Rockets enter tonight’s matchup against the New York Knicks in great form, coming off a dominant win over the New Orleans Pelicans and continuing to build momentum late in the season. At 45-29, Houston has established itself as one of the more balanced teams in the league, ranking inside the top 12 in both offensive and defensive rating. Their success starts with size and physicality, leading the league in rebounds and ranking second in blocks, while Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun anchor the offense with consistent scoring and playmaking.
The Knicks, meanwhile, come in looking to bounce back after recent losses, but remain one of the most complete teams in the Eastern Conference at 48-27. New York’s offense is driven by Jalen Brunson, who continues to control tempo and create opportunities, while Karl-Anthony Towns provides a reliable interior presence. The Knicks have been strong defensively all season, and they already showed on Feb. 21 that they can beat the Rockets by forcing turnovers and controlling late-game execution.
This matchup sets up as a contrast in styles. The Rockets rely on rebounding, size, and second-chance opportunities to wear teams down, while the Knicks lean on efficiency, ball movement, and half-court execution. Houston will look to dominate the glass and limit mistakes, while New York aims to disrupt rhythm and capitalize on turnovers. Ultimately, the game may come down to whether the Rockets can impose their physical edge or if the Knicks’ discipline and shot-making give them the advantage late.
Let’s dig deeper into these and the other storylines to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on Tuesday’s seven-game slate.
Tuesday’s fantasy stream team
Gary Trent Jr., SG, Milwaukee Bucks (rostered in 3.6% of ESPN leagues): The Bucks are without Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Giannis Antetokounmpo due to injuries, creating a significant usage opportunity for Trent. He has made back-to-back starts and scored at least 34 fantasy points in each of those games. The Mavericks have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last 30 games, putting Trent Jr. in a favorable spot. That makes him a strong DFS value at $5,100.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Moody’s favorite bet for Tuesday
Paolo Banchero to score 23+ points (-117): The Magic are coming off a 50-point loss to the Raptors on Sunday, so Orlando — especially Banchero — should be eager to bounce back. He has scored at least 23 points in 12 of his last 20 games and is averaging 17.8 field goal attempts over that span. Although Banchero has struggled from the field recently, the volume remains encouraging. The Suns are unlikely to double-team him, and with Franz Wagner and Anthony Black ruled out due to injuries, Banchero should see increased offensive responsibility. He has played 14 games this season without both in the lineup and has cleared this line in nine of those contests. With the Magic surprisingly favored, expect Banchero to be aggressive on Tuesday night.
Kevin Durant 3+ three-pointers (+109): Durant has made at least three triples in five of his last 10 games while he’s averaged 6.0 attempts per game over that span. He also knocked down four three-pointers on 10 attempts against the Knicks on Feb. 21. The volume should be there again in this matchup. While the Knicks are a strong defensive team and protect the paint well, they can be vulnerable on the perimeter at times, which is something Durant is experienced enough to exploit.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Cooper Flagg, PG, Dallas Mavericks ($9,700): He’s averaged 42.5 fantasy points per game over his last seven contests and contributes across nearly every statistical category. Flagg is well positioned for success against a Bucks team that ranks 28th in defensive rating over the last 15 games and has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to point guards during that span.
Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets ($9,200): The All-Star big man is in the midst of an outstanding season. Sengun has averaged 44.3 fantasy points per game. The Knicks have been stingy against centers this season, especially over the last 30 games, but Sengun’s skill set and consistent usage still make him a strong DFS option.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Brandon Miller, SF, Charlotte Hornets ($7,600): Miller has averaged 35.6 fantasy points per game this season, giving DFS players a strong sense of his floor, though his ceiling can be much higher depending on the matchup. Even though the Nets have played better defense recently, they still rank 25th in defensive rating on the season. The Hornets are huge favorites, which introduces some blowout risk, but Miller should still do enough to justify his salary.
Daniss Jenkins, PG, Detroit Pistons ($6,900): Jenkins has stepped in admirably with Cade Cunningham sidelined, averaging 35.5 fantasy points per game over his last eight contests. Jenkins should continue to see strong usage against a Raptors defense that has been middle of the pack against point guards over the last 30 games. He’s also a strong streaming option in season-long leagues, given his current role and that Jenkins is rostered in 41.4% of ESPN leagues.
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C, Houston Rockets ($6,300): Even though Smith plays a secondary role in the Rockets’ offense behind Durant and Sengun, he remains a solid DFS option due to his all-around contributions. He has scored at least 35 fantasy points in three consecutive games, including one performance with 49. The Knicks present a tough defensive matchup, but with Durant and Sengun commanding most of the defensive attention, Smith should continue to find open looks.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Coby White, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets ($5,200): White’s minutes have fluctuated since being traded to the Hornets, but he has remained productive, averaging 30.0 fantasy points over his last eight games. He’s an appealing option at this price point given his upside, especially against a Nets team that ranks in the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to both point guards and shooting guards.
Moussa Diabate, C, Charlotte Hornets ($5,800): Diabate is in the midst of a breakout rookie season and has started every game for the Hornets since late December. Although he finished with just 11.5 fantasy points against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, he had scored at least 22 in each of his four previous games, including two performances with 39 or more. He draws a favorable matchup against a Nets defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 30 games. Diabate is also on the streaming radar with a 32.1% roster rate in ESPN leagues.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Phoenix Suns at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +1.5 (-108) | Magic -1.5 (-112)
Money line: Suns +105 | Magic -125
Total: 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 1, straight up 53%, 225.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Amir Coffey, (GTD – Ankle); Dillon Brooks, (GTD – Hand); Grayson Allen, (GTD – Knee); Haywood Highsmith, (GTD – Knee); Mark Williams, (GTD – Foot)
Magic: Anthony Black, (OUT – Abdomen); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle); Jonathan Isaac, (OUT – Knee)

Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -17.5 (-108) | Nets +17.5 (-112)
Money line: Hornets -1800 | Nets +1000
Total: 219.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 13.9, straight up 86%, 216.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, (GTD – Calf)
Nets: Jalen Wilson, (GTD – Illness); Danny Wolf, (OUT – Ankle); Terance Mann, (OUT – Achilles); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Hamstring); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot)

Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons
8 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +3.5 (-115) | Pistons -3.5 (-105)
Money line: Raptors +130 | Pistons -155
Total: 219.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 5.1, straight up 66%, 223.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Brandon Ingram, (GTD – Heel); Collin Murray-Boyles, (GTD – Back); RJ Barrett, (GTD – Shoulder); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT – Knee); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Foot); Jamison Battle, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Pistons: Duncan Robinson, (GTD – Hip); Jalen Duren, (GTD – Knee); Tobias Harris, (GTD – Hip); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Calf); Cade Cunningham, (OUT – Chest)

New York Knicks at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks -1.5 (100) | Rockets +1.5 (-120)
Money line: Knicks -112 | Rockets -108
Total: 217.5 (-118 O, -102 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 2.2, straight up 57%, 217.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Miles McBride, (GTD – Pelvis); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Knee)
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)

Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks -2.5 (-108) | Bucks +2.5 (-112)
Money line: Mavericks -130 | Bucks +110
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 0.7, straight up 52%, 233.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Caleb Martin, (GTD – Heel); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Shoulder); Naji Marshall, (GTD – Illness); P.J. Washington, (GTD – Illness); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
Bucks: Gary Harris, (GTD – Personal); Kyle Kuzma, (GTD – Achilles); Ryan Rollins, (GTD – Hip); Bobby Portis, (OUT – Wrist); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Knee); Thanasis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Calf); Kevin Porter Jr., (OFS – Knee)

Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers +2.5 (-118) | Lakers -2.5 (-102)
Money line: Cavaliers +110 | Lakers -130
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 0.6, straight up 52%, 236.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, (GTD – Knee); Max Strus, (GTD – Foot); Dean Wade, (OUT – Ankle); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT – Toe)
Lakers: Adou Thiero, (GTD – Knee); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Suspension); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Ankle)

Portland Trail Blazers at LA Clippers
11 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers +5.5 (-115) | Clippers -5.5 (-105)
Money line: Blazers +185 | Clippers -225
Total: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 6.3, straight up 69%, 225.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (OUT – Calf); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Vit Krejci, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Clippers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)
