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Eric Moody
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
There are just four games on Tuesday’s slate, with the matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena drawing most of my interest.
It’s a real test of whether the Lakers have actually turned a corner or simply beat up on a struggling Sacramento Kings team. Facing the East-leading Pistons, with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren attacking the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses, should tell us a lot about this group. If LeBron James and Luka Doncic rise to the moment, it could be a statement way to close out 2025.
Let’s break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight’s slate.
Tuesday’s fantasy stream team
Dennis Schroder, PG, Kings (rostered in 32.3% of ESPN leagues): Although Schroder remains stuck in a bench role, he has provided solid value behind Russell Westbrook. He has scored at least 30 fantasy points in four of his last seven games, including one 52-point outing. Schroder faces an LA Clippers team that ranks 26th in defensive rating and remains a strong streaming option who contributes across multiple categories. He’s also firmly in play for DFS at $5,500.
Brook Lopez, C, Clippers (17.9% rostered): Ivica Zubac will be out until mid-January with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, giving Lopez added streaming appeal. Lopez has scored at least 20 fantasy points in four consecutive games, including a 55-point outing. Lopez provides points, rebounds and 3-pointers and should shine against a Kings team that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to centers this season. That production makes him a strong DFS value at center at $5,000.
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Pistons (12.5%): Ivey played a season-high 29 minutes against the Clippers on Sunday, which is encouraging given that his minutes had been in the teens since his season debut in late November. He has scored at least 24 fantasy points in three of his four games. Ivey should have success against a Lakers team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating. At $3,900 in DFS, the reward is worth the risk.
Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Utah Jazz (3.1%): Sensabaugh has played at least 33 minutes and scored at least 22 fantasy points in back-to-back games. With Ace Bailey ruled out due to a hip injury, Sensabaugh should have a clear path to consistent production, providing managers with points, 3-pointers and modest contributions in other categories.
Moody’s bets for Tuesday
Luka Doncic UNDER 50.5 points, rebounds and assists (-121)
Doncic has been phenomenal this season but has had a suboptimal December despite a 38.5% usage rate. There’s also added pressure with Austin Reaves out due to a calf injury. Doncic has gone under this line in five of eight games in December and in five of his last 10 games alongside LeBron. Detroit presents a tough matchup, as the Pistons rank behind only the Thunder in defensive rating this season and have done an excellent job containing point guards.
LeBron James OVER 22.5 points (-112)
Doncic commands significant defensive attention, which bodes well for James against the Pistons. He has cleared this line in four of his last five games and is averaging 17.0 field-goal attempts in 31.4 minutes per game while shooting 56% from the field. James has also gone over this number in all four games he’s played with Doncic and without Reaves this season.
Joel Embiid UNDER 7.5 rebounds (+103)
Embiid’s minutes have been managed all season due to right knee issues. He has prioritized scoring over rebounding, perhaps because of the lower-body injuries he’s dealt with throughout his career, and the numbers reflect that. Embiid has gone under this line in 11 of 13 games this season while averaging just 12.4 rebound chances per game. The Grizzlies have also done an excellent job limiting rebounds by opposing centers.
Anfernee Simons OVER 15.5 points + assists (-105)
Simons is still adjusting to a bench role with the Boston Celtics after starting for the Portland Trail Blazers over the previous three seasons. Although he has cleared this line in just two of his last 10 games, Simons is averaging 12.8 PPG and 2.2 APG in 23.5 MPG this season. The Jazz rank among the league’s worst defensive teams, and with the Celtics nearly double-digit favorites, Simons could see additional minutes in this matchup.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Cade Cunningham, PG, Pistons ($10,500)
Cunningham has averaged 54.5 fantasy points and 35.8 minutes per game over his last seven contests, posting a 28.3% usage rate during that span. The Lakers have struggled to contain point guards, and the only team with a worse defensive rating in December is the Jazz. Cunningham should shine in this matchup.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Clippers ($9,500)
Leonard has been on a tear lately, averaging 66.8 fantasy points per game over his last four contests. His usage rate during that span is a massive 36.8%. The Kings have struggled defensively, which bodes well for Leonard on Tuesday night.
Jaylen Brown, SF, Celtics ($9,400)
Brown has scored at least 46 fantasy points and logged at least 32 minutes in four consecutive games, posting a 35.9% usage rate over that span. He should shine against a Jazz team that ranks 29th in defensive rating this season and has allowed the most fantasy points per game to small forwards.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Lauri Markkanen, PF, Jazz ($7,900)
Markkanen is one of the few bright spots for a struggling Jazz team. In the 27 games he’s suited up for this season, he has averaged a career-best 27.9 PPG and 6.9 RPG per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics aren’t an easy defensive matchup, but Markkanen’s 27.9% usage rate this season positions him as a strong option on Tuesday’s slate.
Jalen Duren, C, Pistons ($7,500)
Duren has been a double-double machine this season with 18 already and is well positioned to notch his 19th against a struggling Lakers defense on Tuesday night. He shouldn’t have trouble imposing his will on Deandre Ayton in the paint. Duren has averaged 37.9 fantasy points per game this season, a mark that represents his floor rather than his ceiling in this matchup.
Derrick White, PG/SG, Celtics ($7,400)
Even though White has been a streaky shooter this season, currently posting a 39.5% field-goal percentage that is the lowest of his career, his fantasy value lies in his ability to contribute across nearly every statistical category. He has averaged 37.3 fantasy points per game this season, and against a Jazz team that ranks in the top three in fantasy points per game allowed to point guards and shooting guards, he’s well positioned for success.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Nique Clifford, SF/PF, Kings ($3,900)
Clifford has shown intriguing upside in recent games, and his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories makes him an excellent DFS value. He has scored at least 20 fantasy points in five consecutive games while averaging 26.0 minutes per contest during that span. The Clippers aren’t a defensive juggernaut, so Clifford could see solid run in this matchup.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Philadelphia 76ers at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: 76ers -1.5 (-108) | Grizzlies +1.5 (-112)
Money line: 76ers -115 | Grizzlies -105
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 1.1, straight up 53%, 235.9 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT – Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT – Thigh); Joel Embiid, (GTD – Ankle)
Grizzlies: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OUT – Hamstring); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT – Knee); John Konchar, (OUT – Thumb); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle); , (OUT – Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf); Jock Landale, (GTD – Calf)
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics -8.5 (-108) | Jazz +8.5 (-112)
Money line: Celtics -290 | Jazz +235
Total: 242.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 8.2, straight up 72%, 240.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Chris Boucher, (OUT – Personal); Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles); Amari Williams, (OUT – Knee)
Jazz: Ace Bailey, (OUT – Hip); Kevin Love, (OUT – Rest); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder); Keyonte George, (GTD – Illness)
Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Line: Pistons -2.5 (-108) | Lakers +2.5 (-112)
Money line: Pistons -135 | Lakers +114
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 0.7, straight up 52%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Knee); Wendell Moore Jr., (GTD – Hamstring)
Lakers: Gabe Vincent, (OUT – Back); Rui Hachimura, (OUT – Calf); Austin Reaves, (OUT – Calf)
Sacramento Kings at LA Clippers
11 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +9.5 (-102) | Clippers -9.5 (-118)
Money line: Kings +330 | Clippers -425
Total: 220.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 10.6, straight up 77%, 225.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Zach LaVine, (OUT – Ankle); Domantas Sabonis, (OUT – Knee); Keegan Murray, (GTD – Calf)
Clippers: Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hamstring); Ivica Zubac, (OUT – Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); John Collins, (GTD – Illness)