The NBA has six games on Tuesday for New Year's Eve, and the matchup I'm most excited about is the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Indiana Pacers.
It's been a rocky season for the Bucks. They started with a 2-8 record but found their rhythm, winning 11 of their next 13 games from Nov. 18 to Dec. 17, which included winning the Emirates NBA Cup. However, since then, they have a 2-3 record, entering Tuesday having lost two consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Pacers are looking to get back to .500 after an incredible win on Sunday night against the Celtics in Boston.
There's one prop bet from this game that stands out to me.
But that's not all. The other matchups \also offer plenty of fantasy and betting intrigue. There's a lot to break down, so let's dive in.
Tuesday's fantasy stream team
Luke Kennard, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies (available in 99.1% of ESPN leagues)
Kennard has seen more opportunities in the Grizzlies' backcourt with Ja Morant sidelined. He has scored 19 or more fantasy points in two of his last three games while averaging 24 minutes on the floor. He's a great option for category formats if you're looking for points and three-pointers and should stay busy Tuesday night against the Suns.
Josh Okogie, SF/SG, Phoenix Suns (99.7%)
Okogie has stepped up in the Suns' rotation, filling the void left by Royce O'Neale. He is coming off back-to-back games with 26 or more fantasy points and his versatility stands out as he contributes across almost every statistical category. That makes Okogie a strong streaming option in all formats. The Suns and Grizzlies also have the highest total on the slate, which adds to his appeal.
Kris Dunn, PG, LA Clippers (95.4%)
Dunn has been on a roll, scoring 23 or more fantasy points and logging at least 27 minutes in four straight games. He's not a big-time scorer, but is a great source of assists, steals, and 3-pointers. Dunn offers a reliable floor for fantasy managers and has a favorable matchup against a Spurs team that struggles to contain point guards.
Moody's favorite bets for Tuesday
Odds by ESPN BET
Check out some of the top performers in fantasy NBA from Monday, including Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic and Josh Hart.
Giannis Antetokounmpo over 47.5 points, rebounds and assists (-135)
Antetokounmpo is set to return this afternoon against the Pacers, and head coach Doc Rivers confirmed he won't be on a minute restriction. Antetokounmpo has cleared this line in 16 of his last 20 games, averaging 21.4 field goal attempts, 35.2 minutes, 18.2 rebound chances and 10.9 potential assists during that stretch. He has also cleared this line in five of his last six matchups against Indiana, a team that ranks 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions. With no restrictions and a favorable matchup, Antetokounmpo should deliver a strong performance.
Mason Plumlee under 20.5 points, rebounds and assists (-120)
Plumlee has gone under this line in 90% of his games this season, averaging just 17.2 MPG. Even with Jusuf Nurkic serving a suspension for his role in last Friday's on-court altercation against the Mavericks, Plumlee's role hasn't changed much. In the eight games without Nurkic this season, he has gone under this line six times, averaging only 4.3 field goal attempts and 23.4 minutes per game. The Suns aren't looking for Plumlee to be a scorer, especially with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal handling most of the offensive workload.
Austin Reaves over 5.5 assists (-130)
Reaves is in a great spot with the Lakers trading D'Angelo Russell, stepping up as a playmaker with 10 assists (13 potential) against the Warriors on December 25th and 16 assists (18 potential) against the Kings on December 28th. He's one of the few Lakers who can create shots for teammates, and while the Cavaliers have been tough on point guards all season, Reaves' increased usage is hard to ignore. He's cleared this assist line in six of his last seven games without Russell.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics
3 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +16.5 (-110) | Celtics -16.5 (-110)
Money line: Raptors +900 | Celtics -1800
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 13.7, straight up 86%, 232.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: RJ Barrett, (OUT - Illness); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT - Elbow); Bruno Fernando, (GTD - Toe); Davion Mitchell, (GTD - Illness); Gradey Dick, (GTD - Hamstring)
Celtics: Jrue Holiday, (GTD - Shoulder); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Ankle)
Raptors projections:
Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF: 42.1 FPTS (20.2 pts, 8.3 reb, 6.9 ast)
Jakob Poeltl, C: 30.6 FPTS (13.8 pts, 10.5 reb, 2.9 ast)
Gradey Dick, SG/SF: 24.9 FPTS (13.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 18.5 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.8 ast)
Davion Mitchell, PG: 17.0 FPTS (7.4 pts, 1.6 reb, 3.8 ast)
Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 16.9 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.0 ast)
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG: 15.6 FPTS (8.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.6 ast)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 53.5 FPTS (29.5 pts, 8.9 reb, 6.3 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 45.5 FPTS (27.4 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 32.0 FPTS (15.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.6 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 23.1 FPTS (11.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.3 ast)
Al Horford, PF/C: 20.1 FPTS (8.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 18.7 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 17.4 FPTS (9.9 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.1 ast)
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
3 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks -1.5 (-105) | Pacers +1.5 (-115)
Money line: Bucks -125 | Pacers +105
Total: 229.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 0.6, straight up 52%, 233.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: AJ Green, (GTD - Calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Illness); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Ankle)
Pacers: Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Ankle); Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT - Achilles); Obi Toppin, (GTD - Ankle)
Bucks projections:
Damian Lillard, PG: 46.4 FPTS (25.9 pts, 4.6 reb, 7.4 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 44.9 FPTS (29.5 pts, 10.3 reb, 5.6 ast, 1.3 blk)
Bobby Portis, PF: 31.9 FPTS (14.8 pts, 8.8 reb, 3.1 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 24.5 FPTS (13.3 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 3PM, 1.7 blk)
Khris Middleton, SF: 19.2 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.3 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., SG: 16.8 FPTS (9.5 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Taurean Prince, SF: 14.9 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.3 ast)
Pacers projections:
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 40.3 FPTS (19.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 7.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Pascal Siakam, PF: 36.0 FPTS (19.9 pts, 7.1 reb, 3.4 ast)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 26.3 FPTS (16.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.3 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 25.4 FPTS (14.3 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.3 blk)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 23.3 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.3 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 18.6 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.1 reb, 3.2 ast)
Obi Toppin, PF: 18.0 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.0 ast)
LA Clippers at San Antonio Spurs
7 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers +4.5 (-110) | Spurs -4.5 (-110)
Money line: Clippers +155 | Spurs -185
Total: 217.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 3.2, straight up 61%, 221.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (OUT - Knee); P.J. Tucker, (OUT - Not Injury Related); Terance Mann, (GTD - Finger)
Spurs: None reported
Clippers projections:
James Harden, PG/SG: 38.8 FPTS (20.1 pts, 5.4 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 35.0 FPTS (21.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.1 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 32.3 FPTS (15.0 pts, 12.0 reb, 3.0 ast)
Kris Dunn, PG: 22.4 FPTS (8.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.2 ast)
Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 17.6 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.3 ast)
Kevin Porter Jr., SG: 16.8 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.7 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 14.7 FPTS (6.6 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.0 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, C: 46.9 FPTS (28.7 pts, 9.8 reb, 4.2 ast, 3.4 3PM, 2.5 blk)
Chris Paul, PG: 29.4 FPTS (11.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.9 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PF: 26.5 FPTS (13.3 pts, 8.6 reb, 2.7 ast)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 26.1 FPTS (14.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Keldon Johnson, SF/PF: 18.0 FPTS (10.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.6 ast)
Julian Champagnie, SF: 17.1 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Harrison Barnes, PF: 15.3 FPTS (9.7 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.2 ast)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Timberwolves +6.5 (-110) | Thunder -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Timberwolves +210 | Thunder -250
Total: 216.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 6.6, straight up 71%, 215.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Luka Garza, (OUT - Ankle); Rob Dillingham, (OUT - Ankle); Daishen Nix, (GTD - Ankle)
Thunder: Alex Caruso, (OUT - Hip); Chet Holmgren, (OUT - Hip); Nikola Topic, (OUT - Knee)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 39.9 FPTS (23.3 pts, 5.8 reb, 4.4 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Julius Randle, PF: 35.2 FPTS (21.1 pts, 7.4 reb, 4.5 ast)
Rudy Gobert, C: 26.1 FPTS (12.3 pts, 11.1 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.5 blk)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 21.9 FPTS (10.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 20.6 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.6 ast)
Mike Conley, PG: 20.3 FPTS (7.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.7 ast)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 18.5 FPTS (10.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.6 ast)
Thunder projections:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: 52.4 FPTS (30.0 pts, 6.3 reb, 6.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jalen Williams, SF/PF/C: 39.4 FPTS (19.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Isaiah Hartenstein, C: 21.8 FPTS (4.2 pts, 11.5 reb, 3.3 ast)
Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 20.0 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Cason Wallace, SG: 18.5 FPTS (6.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.4 ast)
Jaylin Williams, C: 15.8 FPTS (5.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.7 ast)
Aaron Wiggins, SG: 15.7 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.4 ast)
Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +4.5 (-105) | Suns -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Grizzlies +160 | Suns -190
Total: 236.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 1.5, straight up 55%, 237.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Calf); Jake LaRavia, (OUT - Ankle); Zach Edey, (OUT - Concussion); Ja Morant, (OUT - Shoulder); Santi Aldama, (OUT - Ankle); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Ankle); GG Jackson II, (OUT - Foot); Yuki Kawamura, (GTD - Shoulder)
Suns: Royce O'Neale, (OUT - Ankle); Jusuf Nurkic, (OUT - Suspension); Bol Bol, (GTD - Knee); Collin Gillespie, (GTD - Ankle); Devin Booker, (GTD - Groin); Grayson Allen, (GTD - Concussion)
Grizzlies projections:
Desmond Bane, SG/SF: 38.9 FPTS (18.7 pts, 7.2 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 38.3 FPTS (22.9 pts, 7.4 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.8 3PM, 2.0 blk)
Scotty Pippen Jr., PG/SG: 26.9 FPTS (12.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.5 ast)
Jaylen Wells, SG: 20.0 FPTS (12.0 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
John Konchar, SG/SF: 18.0 FPTS (5.8 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.4 ast)
Luke Kennard, SG: 17.9 FPTS (8.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.9 ast)
Cam Spencer, SG: 17.6 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.9 ast)
Suns projections:
Devin Booker, PG/SG: 43.2 FPTS (26.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Kevin Durant, PF: 42.1 FPTS (28.7 pts, 5.8 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 32.2 FPTS (20.4 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Tyus Jones, PG: 27.5 FPTS (12.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 18.5 FPTS (9.4 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Ryan Dunn, SF: 16.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
Mason Plumlee, C: 14.5 FPTS (5.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.9 ast)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
9 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -4.5 (-110) | Lakers +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Cavaliers -175 | Lakers +150
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 6.6, straight up 71%, 232.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Isaac Okoro, (OUT - Shoulder); Luke Travers, (GTD - Ankle)
Lakers: D'Angelo Russell, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Maxwell Lewis, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Hamstring); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Anthony Davis, (GTD - Ankle); Gabe Vincent, (GTD - Oblique); LeBron James, (GTD - Illness)
Cavaliers projections:
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 41.6 FPTS (21.8 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.8 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Darius Garland, PG: 35.0 FPTS (18.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Evan Mobley, PF/C: 31.6 FPTS (16.1 pts, 9.2 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.4 blk)
Jarrett Allen, C: 28.2 FPTS (13.0 pts, 9.5 reb, 1.9 ast)
Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 21.7 FPTS (11.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.0 ast)
Ty Jerome, PG: 18.6 FPTS (8.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 3.3 ast)
Dean Wade, PF: 18.0 FPTS (6.6 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.3 ast)
Lakers projections:
Anthony Davis, PF/C: 44.8 FPTS (26.1 pts, 12.6 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.2 blk)
LeBron James, SF/PF: 40.7 FPTS (23.5 pts, 6.9 reb, 7.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 34.5 FPTS (18.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 25.2 FPTS (14.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.7 ast)
Max Christie, SG: 15.6 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.3 ast)
Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 15.1 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Cam Reddish, SG/SF: 10.0 FPTS (5.1 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.0 ast)