Happy New Year! The first day of 2025 begins with eight NBA games on tap. As always, there are interesting matchups all around.
Two thirds of the Texas Triangle face off, with the Dallas Mavericks in Houston against the Rockets.
The Denver Nuggets have a home game against the Atlanta Hawks, with both teams coming in with 18 wins.
The Philadelphia 76ers will play without Joel Embiid, who otherwise seemed to finally be rounding into form, which means a lot of shots available for Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.
These storylines and many more will be on display on this first day of the year. So, as we like to do, let's dig deeper into these games to identify some fantasy hoops streamers and betting angles of interest.
Wednesday's fantasy stream team
Goga Bitadze, C, Orlando Magic (Available in 54.5% of ESPN Leagues)
Bitadze has taken over as the man in the middle for the Magic with so many injured, and he has become a walking double-double. He has double-doubles in three straight games and five of his last six overall.
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks (58.2% available)
It amazes me that Hunter is still available in so many leagues. He has been a primary scorer for the Hawks for more than a month and averaged 22.6 PPG in 28.3 MPG off the bench in his last 15 games. He has scored 19 or more in six straight games and 11 of his last 12 outings.
Malcolm Brogdon, PG, Washington Wizards (51.7% available)
Brogdon has moved back into the starting lineup for the Wizards, and in those two starts has averaged 20 PPG and 7 APG. Both of those games came against a stingy New York Knicks defense that allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards. On Wednesday, he'll face a much friendlier Chicago Bulls defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Dre's favorite bets for Wednesday
Odds by ESPN BET
Cade Cunningham over 8.5 assists (-125), to record a double-double (+125)
Cunningham has been a walking double-double for months, He has averaged 23.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG in his last 21 outings since Nov. 4. Cunningham has double-digit assists in six of his last nine games and has averaged 11.4 APG during that stretch.
D'Angelo Russell over 16.5 points (-125)
Russell makes his debut for the Nets... again on Wednesday night. He last played with Brooklyn during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, making his first All Star team in 2018-19. His scoring has been suppressed this season on a Lakers squad where he fell out of favor, but he averaged 19.5 PPG in the six seasons leading up to this one. He joins a Nets squad bereft of an offensive engine, leaving the door open for Russell to breakout. Look for him to start as he attempts to have a strong debut Wednesday.
Tyrese Maxey over 27.5 points (-140)
With Joel Embiid out, Maxey is in line to make his biggest scoring leap. He has totaled 67 points in his last two games with Embiid out, including a 40-point explosion against the Charlotte Hornets. Maxey will be facing a friendly Sacramento Kings defense that is in the bottom half of the league in terms of points allowed per game.
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
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Magic +2.5 (-115) | Pistons -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Magic +110 | Pistons -130
Total: 213.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 5.3, straight up 67%, 214.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Anthony Black, (GTD - Back); Jalen Suggs, (GTD - Wrist); Paolo Banchero, (OUT - Oblique); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Oblique); Moritz Wagner, (OUT - Knee)
Pistons: None reported
Magic projections:
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 25.5 FPTS (13.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Goga Bitadze, C: 22.9 FPTS (8.3 pts, 8.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.7 blk)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 21.7 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
Tristan da Silva, SF: 20.2 FPTS (11.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.1 ast)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 18.7 FPTS (7.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.3 ast)
Mac McClung, SG: 16.5 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.7 ast)
Anthony Black, PG/SG: 14.5 FPTS (7.7 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.5 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 43.0 FPTS (24.7 pts, 5.4 reb, 8.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 25.0 FPTS (15.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.5 ast)
Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 22.1 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.5 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 22.1 FPTS (10.8 pts, 8.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 21.2 FPTS (11.6 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.0 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Ausar Thompson, SF/PF: 15.3 FPTS (7.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.7 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 14.8 FPTS (5.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.0 ast)
Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -5.5 (-115) | Wizards +5.5 (-105)
Money line: Bulls -225 | Wizards +190
Total: 238.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 4.3, straight up 64%, 239.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Dalen Terry, (GTD - Ankle); Zach LaVine, (GTD - Toe); Ayo Dosunmu, (OUT - Calf)
Wizards: Carlton Carrington, (GTD - Head); Jordan Poole, (GTD - Hip); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT - Knee); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)
Bulls projections:
Nikola Vucevic, C: 39.0 FPTS (19.6 pts, 11.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 34.2 FPTS (20.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Coby White, PG/SG: 33.6 FPTS (18.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 31.4 FPTS (13.4 pts, 7.2 reb, 5.3 ast)
Patrick Williams, PF: 20.7 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.8 ast)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 18.4 FPTS (10.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.1 ast)
Lonzo Ball, PG: 17.2 FPTS (5.2 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.1 ast)
Wizards projections:
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 36.3 FPTS (21.1 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.2 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF: 27.4 FPTS (12.7 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.4 ast)
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 22.4 FPTS (15.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.2 ast)
Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 21.3 FPTS (11.0 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.5 blk)
Carlton Carrington, PG/SG: 21.2 FPTS (9.9 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.2 ast)
Justin Champagnie, SF: 20.6 FPTS (9.1 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.0 ast)
Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 20.0 FPTS (11.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.9 ast)
New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans 8.5 (-115) | Heat -8.5 (-105)
Money line: Pelicans +270 | Heat -340
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 10.3, straight up 80%, 218.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, (GTD - Ankle); Jose Alvarado, (GTD - Hamstring); Karlo Matkovic, (OUT - Back); Zion Williamson, (OUT - Hamstring); Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Ankle)
Heat: Duncan Robinson, (GTD - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Heel); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Suspension); Dru Smith, (OUT - Achilles)
Pelicans projections:
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 38.5 FPTS (17.9 pts, 6.7 reb, 6.8 ast)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 35.2 FPTS (21.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 30.1 FPTS (16.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 23.1 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.2 ast)
Jose Alvarado, PG: 19.4 FPTS (8.5 pts, 1.5 reb, 3.2 ast)
Yves Missi, C: 19.0 FPTS (8.9 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.6 blk)
Antonio Reeves, SG: 14.7 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast)
Heat projections:
Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 42.9 FPTS (24.7 pts, 5.8 reb, 5.5 ast, 3.6 3PM)
Bam Adebayo, C: 40.1 FPTS (18.7 pts, 9.9 reb, 5.0 ast)
Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/PF: 36.6 FPTS (19.9 pts, 6.1 reb, 4.7 ast)
Duncan Robinson, SF: 21.3 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Nikola Jovic, PF: 20.0 FPTS (9.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
Haywood Highsmith, SF: 17.1 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.0 ast)
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF: 16.7 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.7 ast)
Utah Jazz at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +12.5 (-105) | Knicks -12.5 (-115)
Money line: Jazz +550 | Knicks -900
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 9.2, straight up 77%, 233.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: John Collins, (GTD - Hip); Taylor Hendricks, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, (GTD - Calf); Kevin McCullar Jr., (OUT - Knee); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT - Ankle)
Jazz projections:
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF: 33.0 FPTS (20.9 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 28.9 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.3 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 28.7 FPTS (18.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 4.0 ast)
John Collins, PF/C: 27.9 FPTS (15.0 pts, 7.9 reb, 2.3 ast)
Jordan Clarkson, SG/SF: 26.2 FPTS (16.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Walker Kessler, C: 23.7 FPTS (10.7 pts, 10.6 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.9 blk)
Johnny Juzang, SG/SF: 13.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG: 42.7 FPTS (26.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 40.1 FPTS (22.2 pts, 10.9 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 36.7 FPTS (14.7 pts, 7.9 reb, 5.7 ast)
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 34.8 FPTS (20.2 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.5 3PM)
OG Anunoby, SF/PF: 28.1 FPTS (14.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Miles McBride, PG: 19.1 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.1 reb, 3.0 ast)
Cameron Payne, PG/SG: 15.4 FPTS (7.5 pts, 1.1 reb, 2.5 ast)
Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +1.5 (-110) | Raptors -1.5 (-110)
Money line: Nets +105 | Raptors -125
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nets by 2.1, straight up 57%, 224.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Ziaire Williams, (GTD - Knee); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Foot); Cam Thomas, (OUT - Hamstring); Trendon Watford, (OUT - Hamstring)
Raptors: Gradey Dick, (GTD - Hamstring); RJ Barrett, (GTD - Illness); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT - Elbow)
Nets projections:
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 30.4 FPTS (17.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Ben Simmons, PG/PF: 22.7 FPTS (8.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.1 ast)
Keon Johnson, SG: 21.7 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Nic Claxton, C: 20.8 FPTS (10.3 pts, 7.5 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.3 blk)
Jalen Wilson, PF: 19.3 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.9 ast)
Noah Clowney, PF: 18.8 FPTS (11.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Tyrese Martin, SF: 16.7 FPTS (8.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.7 ast)
Raptors projections:
Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF: 40.5 FPTS (19.9 pts, 7.7 reb, 6.5 ast)
RJ Barrett, SG/SF/PF: 37.6 FPTS (22.1 pts, 6.2 reb, 5.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Jakob Poeltl, C: 28.2 FPTS (13.0 pts, 9.6 reb, 2.7 ast)
Gradey Dick, SG/SF: 21.5 FPTS (12.7 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 16.4 FPTS (8.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.6 ast)
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG: 15.4 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.6 ast)
Davion Mitchell, PG: 15.3 FPTS (7.1 pts, 1.3 reb, 3.4 ast)
Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +5.5 (-110) | Rockets -5.5 (-110)
Money line: Mavericks +175 | Rockets -210
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4, straight up 63%, 224.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, (GTD - Hip); Naji Marshall, (OUT - Suspension); Dante Exum, (OUT - Wrist); Luka Doncic, (OUT - Calf)
Rockets: Tari Eason, (GTD - Lower Leg); Amen Thompson, (OUT - Suspension)
Mavericks projections:
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 39.6 FPTS (23.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)
P.J. Washington, PF: 27.8 FPTS (13.7 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.9 ast)
Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG: 20.3 FPTS (9.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.1 ast)
Dereck Lively II, C: 18.6 FPTS (8.0 pts, 7.2 reb, 2.3 ast)
Quentin Grimes, SG: 18.2 FPTS (8.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.8 ast)
Daniel Gafford, C: 17.5 FPTS (9.4 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.5 blk)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 17.4 FPTS (7.8 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Rockets projections:
Alperen Sengun, C: 39.4 FPTS (19.8 pts, 9.9 reb, 5.3 ast)
Fred VanVleet, PG: 34.1 FPTS (15.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Jalen Green, SG: 31.2 FPTS (19.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 25.1 FPTS (15.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Tari Eason, SF/PF: 23.0 FPTS (10.8 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 22.4 FPTS (12.7 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.2 ast)
Cam Whitmore, SF: 17.5 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.5 ast)
Atlanta Hawks at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +5.5 (-110) | Nuggets -5.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks +180 | Nuggets -215
Total: 246.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 5.7, straight up 68%, 242.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic, (GTD - Lower Leg); Dyson Daniels, (GTD - Illness); Trae Young, (GTD - Achilles); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT - Knee); Cody Zeller, (OUT - Personal); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT - Hand); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT - Shoulder)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Calf); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee); DaRon Holmes II, (OUT - Achilles)
Hawks projections:
Trae Young, PG: 42.9 FPTS (23.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 9.0 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jalen Johnson, PF: 40.4 FPTS (19.8 pts, 10.1 reb, 5.8 ast)
Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 25.0 FPTS (11.1 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.5 ast)
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 24.8 FPTS (16.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 22.3 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Clint Capela, C: 21.1 FPTS (9.5 pts, 8.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
Zaccharie Risacher, PF/SF: 16.6 FPTS (9.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.3 ast)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 56.6 FPTS (30.4 pts, 11.1 reb, 8.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jamal Murray, PG: 44.8 FPTS (24.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Russell Westbrook, PG: 31.9 FPTS (14.9 pts, 5.0 reb, 5.6 ast)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 30.5 FPTS (18.1 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Christian Braun, SG: 24.6 FPTS (12.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.5 ast)
Peyton Watson, SF/PF: 16.4 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.6 ast)
Julian Strawther, SF: 13.5 FPTS (8.3 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.2 ast)
Philadelphia 76ers at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +6.5 (-105) | Kings -6.5 (-115)
Money line: 76ers +210 | Kings -250
Total: 223.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1.3, straight up 54%, 223.6 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Andre Drummond, (GTD - Toe); Eric Gordon, (GTD - Mouth); Kyle Lowry, (GTD - Hip); KJ Martin, (OUT - Foot); Jared McCain, (OUT - Knee)
Kings: Devin Carter, (GTD - Shoulder); Keegan Murray, (GTD - Ankle)
76ers projections:
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 46.9 FPTS (27.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.5 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Paul George, SF/PF: 33.4 FPTS (16.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 28.0 FPTS (15.0 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.8 ast)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 22.1 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.4 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 17.7 FPTS (8.9 pts, 6.8 reb, 1.0 ast)
Kyle Lowry, PG: 14.0 FPTS (5.2 pts, 1.6 reb, 2.9 ast)
Guerschon Yabusele, PF: 13.5 FPTS (4.7 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.8 ast)
Kings projections:
De'Aaron Fox, PG: 44.7 FPTS (25.8 pts, 4.7 reb, 6.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 42.4 FPTS (19.1 pts, 13.4 reb, 6.0 ast)
DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 32.7 FPTS (19.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.1 ast)
Malik Monk, SG/SF: 30.7 FPTS (16.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 23.7 FPTS (12.1 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.4 ast)
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 14.9 FPTS (6.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.7 ast)
Trey Lyles, PF: 14.2 FPTS (7.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 ast)