ESPN’s Basketball & Fantasy Basketball Betting Tips Cheat Sheet is your pre-game destination for basketball betting predictions and our best information and data to help you make smart fantasy and betting decisions. NBA game odds for Dec. 25 are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy tips are based on ESPN 10-team leagues.
Merry Melton: The Philadelphia 76ers have thrived on both sides of the court since De’Anthony Melton joined the starting lineup several weeks ago. Still a free agent in more than half of the ESPN leagues, expect Melton to play well over 30 minutes at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Only OG Anunoby averages more steals while Melton paces the league in steal percentage. Averaging 2.6 steals and 3.1 3-point shots per game in the starting lineup, Melton is a solid target for 3-point shooting (2.5 on DraftKings) and defensive props (1.5 interceptions on DK) for this holiday tilt.
Ho Ho Hardaway: You can always expect Tim Hardaway Jr. to shoot. So much so that his 3-point prop on DraftKings for the Christmas game with the Lakers is a game-high 3.5. Averaging nearly 17 points per game in December with nearly nine 3-pointers per game in this sample, Hardaway is one of the best streaming options for Sunday considering he’s an 85% free agent. ESPN leagues and should be big spacing and scoring. threat to Dallas.
Time of the Time Lord: You can still find an elite defensive difference maker for the price of a spot in 30% of ESPN leagues, as Boston’s Robert Williams proves. The ‘Time Lord’ rested on Friday but is due to play against the Bucks on Sunday afternoon in a showdown of the best defensive forces, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez forming a formidable frontcourt. Williams is coming off a season-high 12 boards in his last game and has produced at least one block and one steal in two of three outings so far. Still finding his form, Williams could possibly provide league-winning production.
–Jim McCormick and Kyle Soppe
Breaking down the Christmas Day slate
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks
12 p.m. ET on ESPN, Madison Square Garden, New York
Line: 76ers (-2)
Money line: 76ers (-130), Knicks (+110)
Total: 217.5 points
BPI Total projected: 225.4 points
BPI gain %: 76ers (50.7%)
Fantasy Streamer: Georges Niang (registered in 0.5% of ESPN leagues). is on the streaming radar for fantasy managers in the deeper leagues with PJ Tucker struggling with injury. Tucker has averaged 28.5 minutes per game this season, so maybe Niang can earn more playing time in the 76ers rotation. He’s averaging 19.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. –Eric Moody
Best bet: Julius Randle on 33.5 points + rebounds. Randle has exceeded 33.5 points and rebounded in seven of his last nine games. Randle has averaged 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in his last eight games against the 76ers. — Moody
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Line: Mavericks (-8)
Money line: Mavericks (-345), Lakers (+270)
Total: 226.5 dots
BPI Total projected: 240.5 dots
BPI gain %: Mavericks (64.7%)
Questionable:
Excluded:
Note: BPI figures are for excluded players, but assume questionable players will play
Fantasy Streamer: Tim Hardaway Jr. (enrolled in 14.5% of ESPN leagues). Hardaway is firmly on the streaming radar against the Lakers, especially with Reggie Bullock not expected to play. Hardaway Jr. has averaged 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per 40 minutes this season. — Moody
Best bet: Luka Doncic on 10.5 points overall in the first quarter. I expect Doncic to start quickly against a Lakers team without Anthony Davis. Doncic is averaging 11.3 PPG in the first quarter of this season. — Moody
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
5 p.m. ET on ESPN, TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Line: Celtics (-4.5)
Money line: Celtics (-190), Bucks (+158)
Total: 225.5 dots
BPI Total projected: 237.3 points
BPI gain %: Celtics (74.4%)
Questionable: Robert WilliamsIII
Excluded: Kris Middleton
Note: BPI figures are for excluded players, but assume questionable players will play
Fantasy streamer: Al Horford (enrolled in 46.7% of ESPN leagues). Horford can be considered a reliable streamer and has the potential to exceed expectations. He scored a fantastic 55 points Friday night against the Timberwolves and is averaging 29.2 fantasy points per game this season. — Moody
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors
8 p.m. ET on ESPN, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Line: Grizzlies (-5)
Money line: Grizzlies (-210), Warriors (+175)
Total: 228.5 dots
BPI Total projected: 264.6 points
BPI gain %: Grizzlies (68.4%)
Excluded: JaMychal Green, Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry
Note: BPI figures are for excluded players, but assume questionable players will play
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets
10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Line: Nuggets (-4.5)
Money line: Nuggets (-195), Suns (+162)
Total: 230.5 dots
BPI Total projected: 234.9 points
BPI gain %: Nuggets (64.7%)
Excluded: Devin Booker, Cameron Payne
Note: BPI figures are for excluded players, but assume questionable players will play