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  • Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Friday


    • Eric MoodyFeb 7, 2025, 01:23 PM ET

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      • Fantasy football, basketball and sports betting writer for ESPN
      • Former manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company

    There are seven games on Friday’s slate following a chaotic trade deadline, including the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The 76ers, currently 11th in the Eastern Conference and the Pistons, currently seventh, will face off for the third and final time this season, with the series tied 1-1. Joel Embiid was dominant in his last game out and should have an advantage on Friday night. Here are the fantasy streamers and bets to look out for tonight.

    Friday’s fantasy stream team

    Vit Krejci, PG, Atlanta Hawks (available in 98.6% of ESPN leagues) Krejci is a solid streaming option in deeper formats after the Hawks traded De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic at the deadline. With new additions Terance Mann and Bones Hyland unlikely to play, Krejci should help fill the void against the Bucks. He has averaged 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per 40 minutes this season.

    Nikola Jovic, PF, Miami Heat (84.1%) Jovic has taken on an expanded role for the Heat recently, and that should continue for the remainder of the season now that Jimmy Butler is a Warrior. Jovic has scored 29 or more fantasy points in five of his past six games, including two games with 45 or more. He has averaged 34.1 minutes per game over that stretch and is a reliable source of points, rebounds, and assists. He should find success against a Nets defense that has struggled this season.

    Onyeka Okongwu, C, Atlanta Hawks (52.4%) Okongwu became a starter on Jan. 20 and has been excellent ever since. He has recorded 28 or more fantasy points in five straight games. Okongwu contributes across nearly every statistical category, making him a strong streaming option for Friday night.

    Moody’s favorite bets for Friday

    Scottie Barnes under 20.5 points (-115) The Thunder are nearly 19.5-point favorites, making blowout potential high. They lead the league in defensive rating and allow the second-fewest points to power forwards. Chet Holmgren’s return, even in limited minutes, will make scoring tougher for Barnes, who had just 12 points in a 37-point loss to OKC in December.

    Joel Embiid over 43.5 points, rebounds and assists (-105) Embiid should be well-rested for Friday night’s game after sitting out against the Heat on Wednesday. He has hit this line in six of his past 10 games and three of his past four when coming off a day’s rest this season. He has also had success against the Pistons, surpassing this line in four straight matchups. With a narrow 4.5-point spread, this game projects to be competitive.

    De’Aaron Fox over 7.5 assists (+105) Fox had 19 potential assists and finished with 13 assists in his Spurs debut against the Hawks on Wednesday. Fox fits well in San Antonio’s offensive system. The Spurs love to run in transition, play at a fast pace and create spot-up opportunities, which plays to his strengths. He also has a great matchup against a Charlotte Hornets defense that has struggled against point guards, giving up a high number of assists over the last month. This is a strong spot for Fox.

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    Shams breaks down Jusuf Nurkic-Cody Martin trade

    Shams Charania reacts to the news that the Suns are trading Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick.

    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

    San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets
    7 p.m. ET

    Line: Spurs -10.5 (-110) | Hornets 10.5 (-110)
    Money line: Spurs -500 | Hornets +360
    Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: Spurs by 11.9, straight up 83%, 219.3 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Spurs: Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee); Riley Minix, (OUT – Shoulder)
    Hornets: Cam Reddish, (GTD – Personal); Dalton Knecht, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Josh Green, (GTD – Calf); Josh Okogie, (OUT – Hamstring); Brandon Miller, (OUT – Wrist); Grant Williams, (OUT – Knee); Tre Mann, (OUT – Back)

    Spurs projections:

    Hornets projections:

    • LaMelo Ball, PG: 46.4 FPTS (26.7 pts, 4.5 reb, 6.6 ast, 4.0 3PM)

    • Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 36.9 FPTS (20.7 pts, 6.7 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

    • Nick Smith Jr., SG: 19.9 FPTS (11.7 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)

    • Moussa Diabate, PF: 18.1 FPTS (8.4 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.2 ast)

    • Josh Green, SG/SF: 17.2 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.5 ast)

    • Cody Martin, SG: 17.0 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.8 ast)

    • KJ Simpson, PG: 16.9 FPTS (8.5 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.4 ast)

    Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards
    7 p.m. ET

    Line: Cavaliers -17.5 (-105) | Wizards 17.5 (-115)
    Money line: Cavaliers -2000 | Wizards +1000
    Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
    BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 13.8, straight up 86%, 237.3 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Georges Niang, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Donovan Mitchell, (GTD – Shoulder); Isaac Okoro, (OUT – Shoulder); Luke Travers, (OUT – Ankle); Sam Merrill, (OUT – Personal); Dean Wade, (OUT – Knee)
    Wizards: Johnny Davis, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Knee); Patrick Baldwin Jr., (GTD – Not Injury Related); AJ Johnson, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Ankle); Alex Sarr, (OUT – Ankle); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT – Foot); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee)

    Cavaliers projections:

    • Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 41.9 FPTS (23.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.6 ast, 3.3 3PM)

    • Darius Garland, PG: 38.9 FPTS (21.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 6.3 ast, 2.8 3PM)

    • Evan Mobley, PF/C: 33.3 FPTS (17.5 pts, 9.6 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.5 blk)

    • Jarrett Allen, C: 30.8 FPTS (14.0 pts, 11.1 reb, 2.0 ast)

    • Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 22.3 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.7 ast)

    • Ty Jerome, PG: 21.2 FPTS (10.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.0 ast)

    • Max Strus, SG/SF: 21.0 FPTS (9.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)

    Wizards projections:

    Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks
    7:30 p.m. ET

    Line: Bucks -5.5 (-110) | Hawks 5.5 (-110)
    Money line: Bucks -225 | Hawks +190
    Total: 242.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
    BPI Projection: Hawks by 1.8, straight up 56%, 235.4 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Brook Lopez, (GTD – Knee); Damian Lillard, (GTD – Groin); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Calf); Jericho Sims, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Kyle Kuzma, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Liam Robbins, (OUT – Undisclosed)
    Hawks: Trae Young, (GTD – Achilles); Clint Capela, (OUT – Personal); Daeqwon Plowden, (OUT – Illness); Jalen Johnson, (OUT – Shoulder); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT – Shoulder); De’Andre Hunter, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Cody Zeller, (GTD – Personal); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (GTD – Not Injury Related)

    Bucks projections:

    Hawks projections:

    Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets
    7:30 p.m. ET

    Line: Heat -6.5 (EVEN) | Nets 6.5 (-120)
    Money line: Heat -230 | Nets +195
    Total: 210.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: Nets by 1.6, straight up 55%, 213.1 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Heat: Andrew Wiggins, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Davion Mitchell, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Haywood Highsmith, (GTD – Achilles); Kevin Love, (GTD – Knee); Kyle Anderson, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Nikola Jovic, (GTD – Calf); Dru Smith, (OUT – Achilles)
    Nets: Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot); Cam Thomas, (OUT – Hamstring); Maxwell Lewis, (OUT – Lower Leg); Noah Clowney, (OUT – Ankle); De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Knee)

    Heat projections:

    • Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 44.1 FPTS (25.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.8 ast, 3.6 3PM)

    • Bam Adebayo, PF/C: 40.0 FPTS (19.5 pts, 9.8 reb, 4.7 ast)

    • Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 27.6 FPTS (16.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)

    • Nikola Jovic, PF: 23.2 FPTS (11.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

    • Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 22.3 FPTS (12.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.6 ast)

    • Kel’el Ware, C: 18.8 FPTS (7.7 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.2 ast)

    • Duncan Robinson, SF: 17.0 FPTS (8.8 pts, 1.8 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)

    Nets projections:

    Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons
    7:30 p.m. ET

    Line: 76ers -4.5 (-110) | Pistons 4.5 (-110)
    Money line: 76ers -185 | Pistons +155
    Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: 76ers by 2.5, straight up 58%, 223.0 total points.

    Injury Report:
    76ers: Andre Drummond, (GTD – Toe); Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Knee); Quentin Grimes, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Jared McCain, (OUT – Knee)
    Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD – Ankle); Lindy Waters III, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Malik Beasley, (GTD – Shoulder); Tobias Harris, (GTD – Leg); Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Lower Leg)

    76ers projections:

    Pistons projections:

    Toronto Raptors at Oklahoma City Thunder
    8 p.m. ET

    Line: Raptors 19.5 (-115) | Thunder -19.5 (-105)
    Money line: Raptors +1200 | Thunder -3000
    Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: Thunder by 17.6, straight up 91%, 226.8 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Raptors: Brandon Ingram, (GTD – Ankle); P.J. Tucker, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Hip); RJ Barrett, (OUT – Concussion)
    Thunder: Cason Wallace, (OUT – Shoulder); Ousmane Dieng, (OUT – Calf); Ajay Mitchell, (OUT – Toe); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee)

    Raptors projections:

    Thunder projections:

    Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns
    10 p.m. ET

    Line: Jazz 8.5 (-105) | Suns -8.5 (-115)
    Money line: Jazz +290 | Suns -380
    Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Suns by 5.3, straight up 67%, 234.0 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Jazz: Dennis Schroder, (GTD – Not Injury Related); Cody Williams, (GTD – Ankle); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT – Foot); Collin Sexton, (OUT – Ankle); Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Lower Leg)
    Suns: Bradley Beal, (GTD – Toe); Kevin Durant, (GTD – Ankle); Ryan Dunn, (GTD – Ankle)

    Jazz projections:

    Suns projections:

    • Devin Booker, PG/SG: 48.1 FPTS (29.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 6.7 ast, 2.7 3PM)

    • Kevin Durant, PF: 39.9 FPTS (26.1 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)

    • Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 27.5 FPTS (15.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

    • Tyus Jones, PG: 23.9 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.0 reb, 4.5 ast)

    • Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 21.0 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.2 3PM)

    • Royce O’Neale, SF: 18.7 FPTS (7.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.9 3PM)

    • Jusuf Nurkic, C: 17.7 FPTS (8.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.0 ast)



    Are you ready to dominate your fantasy basketball league and cash in on some bets this Friday? Look no further, as we have some top picks and betting tips for you to consider.

    1. Top fantasy basketball picks for Friday:
    – LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): LeBron is always a solid pick, especially against the Brooklyn Nets who have struggled defensively this season.
    – Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): Jokic is a fantasy stud and should have a big game against the struggling Orlando Magic.
    – Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns): Booker is a scoring machine and should put up big numbers against the New Orleans Pelicans.

    2. Betting tips for Friday’s games:
    – Look for value in the underdog: Sometimes the underdog can surprise and pull off an upset, providing great value for bettors.
    – Consider the over/under: Look at the total points line and consider whether the game is likely to be high-scoring or low-scoring.
    – Monitor injury news: Keep an eye on injury updates leading up to the games, as they can have a big impact on the outcome.

    So there you have it, some top fantasy basketball picks and betting tips to help you dominate on Friday. Good luck and happy betting!

    Tags:

    fantasy basketball picks, betting tips, Friday basketball predictions, NBA betting advice, daily fantasy basketball tips, sports betting strategies, fantasy sports analysis, basketball betting trends, expert basketball picks, Friday basketball preview

    #Fantasy #basketball #picks #betting #tips #Friday

  • Fantasy Basketball Trade Reaction: Winners and losers of shocking Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis swap


    The Dallas Mavericks reportedly made one of the most epic and unfathomable trades in NBA history late Saturday night, dealing Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The three-team deal also includes the Utah Jazz.

    The deal, hoops-wise, sent shockwaves through the NBA and fantasy communities. I’ve never seen NBA Twitter in a frenzy like that. Like others, I wondered if Shams got hacked while awaiting confirmation on the deal from other notable insiders like Chris Haynes and Jake Fischer. My initial reaction is probably in the minority, but I like the deal for both sides (assuming Dončić wasn’t going to sign his supermax extension)!

    The Lakers said F it; let’s get a generational superstar in purple and gold and figure out the rest later. Dallas brought in Anthony Davis, one of the best two-way big men in the league to fortify its frontcourt with Dereck Lively II (foot) missing the rest of the season. It’s a good “win-now” move for the Mavericks while the Lakers have their next cornerstone, franchise player post-LeBron James.

    While I like the deal, it’s still hard to conceptualize the Mavs actually trading away Luka Dončić, a 25-year-old perennial MVP candidate. Here are my thoughts on the blockbuster trade for fantasy purposes — with one caveat.

    I didn’t include LeBron or Luka in the winners and losers sections because I’m still trying to imagine how two ball-dominant, stat-stuffing generational talents will coexist. Luka will always be fine, and LeBron has only finished outside of third-round fantasy value once in his 20-year career (and it was his rookie season).

    Kyrie Irving – PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks

    Irving was already providing second-round value in 9-cat leagues before the deal and now he will see a massive bump in usage. Dončić is one of 10 players with a usage rate of over 31%. As one of the most efficient guards in the league, Irving and Davis will be a fun and dynamic duo that will be great for fantasy purposes.

    Anthony Davis – PF/C, Dallas Mavericks

    It’s pretty funny that AD wanted a center, and rather than granting him his wish, the Lakers shipped him to Dallas. The silver lining is that he weirdly got what he wanted (playing alongside Daniel Gafford), so I’d anticipate the Mavs playing through him more than the Lakers previously did. The Kyrie-AD pick-and-roll is going to be tough to stop. Given the volume and opportunity available, we should see a slight bump in assists and possibly scoring without Dončić.

    Jaxon Hayes – C, Los Angeles Lakers

    Hayes is left as the de facto center for the Lakers. He’s worth picking up and streaming until another domino falls. He’s averaged 10 points with 6 rebounds and a block a game as a starter in his career. He won’t be outstanding, but consistent minutes plus limited depth in the frontcourt is a W for his fantasy value.

    Spencer Dinwiddie – PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks

    Dinwiddie has been playing a lot of minutes when Dončić has been off the floor, jumping from 19 to 29 minutes per game this season. He’s averaging 13/3/5 this season, and this move preserves his value as a 12-team back-end depth streamer.

    Daniel Gafford – C, Dallas Mavericks

    Gafford was balling out as the primary center in Dallas with Dereck Lively II (foot) on the shelf, but bringing in one of the most talented bigs in the game will surely impact his value going forward. Gafford’s been a top-five fantasy player over the last two weeks and top 50 over the past month. Even though he’ll likely still start with the Mavs rolling out a Cavs-like frontcourt with AD at power forward and Gafford at center, he can’t sustain the level of production we’ve seen over the past 30 days. He’s still worth holding in all leagues for his blocks, rebounds and FG% since he’s still one of the more effective bigs on a per-minute basis.

    Austin Reaves – PG/SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers

    Bringing in Dončić hurts Reaves’ upside as a secondary ball-handler. Reaves was averaging a career-best 6.1 assists per game, and it’s hard to imagine he’ll be able to sustain that amount of usage with Dončić in the fold. Reaves remains the Lakers’ third-best scoring option — it’s just hard to imagine the playmaking not tapering off with Luka and LeBron dominating so many possessions.

    Rui Hachimura – SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers

    I’m concerned that Hachimura’s playing time and usage will dwindle even further with Dončić in town. Dorian Finney-Smith has a rapport with Dončić and can also play the small-ball center, so I could see Hachimura getting squeezed for opportunities, much like PJ Washington in Dallas.

    Washington played power forward with Dončić and only saw a 17% usage rate this season. When Dončić was off the floor, Washington’s usage rate jumped to 23% with far better production. Before the acquisition of Finney-Smith, Hachimura played 34 minutes per game. This month, it dipped to 27.8 minutes per game. A move like this can’t be good for his fantasy outlook.



    In a stunning turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks have traded their young star, Luka Dončić, for Los Angeles Lakers’ powerhouse, Anthony Davis. This blockbuster trade has sent shockwaves through the fantasy basketball world, with fans and analysts alike buzzing about the implications of this deal. So, who are the winners and losers of this shocking swap?

    Winners:

    1. Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers come out as clear winners in this trade, acquiring a young and dynamic player in Luka Dončić to pair with LeBron James. Dončić’s playmaking abilities and scoring prowess will undoubtedly elevate the Lakers’ offense to new heights, making them a formidable force in the Western Conference.

    2. Luka Dončić Fantasy Owners: If you were lucky enough to have Luka Dončić on your fantasy team before this trade, congratulations! Dončić’s numbers are expected to skyrocket playing alongside LeBron James and the Lakers’ star-studded lineup. Expect a surge in points, assists, and rebounds for the young Slovenian superstar.

    Losers:

    1. Dallas Mavericks: While Anthony Davis is undoubtedly a top-tier talent in the NBA, the Mavericks will sorely miss the production and leadership of Luka Dončić. The team will have to adjust to a new system without their young star, which could lead to a drop in overall performance and fantasy production.

    2. Anthony Davis Fantasy Owners: If you were banking on Anthony Davis to carry your fantasy team to victory, this trade may come as a disappointment. Playing alongside a dominant ball-handler like Luka Dončić could have unlocked even more potential for Davis, but now his fantasy value may take a hit with a new team and system to adjust to.

    Overall, this trade has shaken up the fantasy basketball landscape, creating new opportunities and challenges for both players and fantasy owners. Only time will tell how this trade will ultimately pan out, but one thing is for certain – the excitement and drama of fantasy basketball are alive and well.

    Tags:

    Fantasy basketball, trade reaction, Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, winners, losers, shocking trade, NBA, fantasy sports, basketball analysis, trade impact, player swap, fantasy basketball advice

    #Fantasy #Basketball #Trade #Reaction #Winners #losers #shocking #Luka #Dončić #Anthony #Davis #swap

  • Listen up, fantasy football managers: Here’s what we should take away from the NFL playoffs for 2025


    One of the biggest stories of the 2024 NFL season surrounded highly talented running backs elevating already excellent rushing ecosystems. There’s Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia, Derrick Henry in Baltimore and I’d even count Jahmyr Gibbs’ continuation of growth in his second season with Detroit. Not so coincidentally, those were your top three fantasy backs from last season.

    Someone who you won’t see grouped with this cohort, but I’m starting to think belongs with them, is James Cook.

    The third-year back’s dramatic improvement over his pro career culminated in an NFL-high 16 rushing touchdowns and his first 1,000-yard season. His continued dominance in the postseason cemented his status as one of these backs.

    Cook was outright dynamic in the playoffs. He totaled 272 yards and scored three touchdowns on 53 rushes. More importantly, the Bills offense felt the most cohesive and put together when he was allowed to get into a rhythm as the lead back. Cook has developed the ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces and create rushing lanes at the line of scrimmage to provide drive-sustaining rushes. However, his superpower is hitting creases blasted open by a stout Bills line on gap concepts.

    Everyone loves Josh Allen and what the Bills do through the air, but the offense developing a true weapon in the run game in the last year and a half under Joe Brady has been significant. The Bills were second in rushing success rate this postseason, trailing only the Lions.

    Even if Ty Johnson emerged as a big-play option in the passing game, Cook still showed his worth in that area. Cook averaged 10.7 yards per target in the postseason and gained a first down on a whopping 51.5% of his routes run.

    Cook probably doesn’t end up going as a first-round pick in fantasy drafts this summer but he checks all the boxes you want from a Round 1 back. He’ll be a clear target of mine wherever he slots in.

    Jayden Daniels is a tremendous football player and has a chance, if he continues to improve, to fundamentally change the way we view the NFC. He’s one of the few quarterbacks in that conference to lead his team on a deep postseason run who has the full skill set to leap into the tier of players we typically associate with guys from the AFC — Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, etc.

    A big part of making Washington the type of team that gets to this level of contention every season will be building up the supporting cast around Daniels. Pass-catcher additions will be the big talking point but don’t look past the true running back aspect of the run game as an area that needs improvement.

    The Commanders’ running backs averaged 3.6 yards per carry in the playoffs and it consistently felt like that part of the offense wasn’t punching back against opposition defenses. With a 34.9% rushing success rate on running back carries through their three postseason games, the Commanders were sandwiched between the Chargers and Broncos among the 14 playoff teams. Those were two offenses who struggled to find rushing consistency in the regular season and were soundly eliminated in Round 1 of the postseason.

    The slip of their running back run game wasn’t a blip in the playoffs. Rather, we saw this begin in the regular season. Washington ranked 24th in EPA per running back carry from December on.

    Before December, they ranked fourth in that same metric.

    Brian Robinson Jr. isn’t a top-end back but he runs hard and is probably a starting-level back. He was off to a fantastic start to the season and you could chalk up his slow finish to some injuries he dealt with at the mid-point. Austin Ekeler looked far more explosive in Year 1 with the Commanders than in his final season with Los Angeles. These two are a viable running back duo, so the team’s big swing doesn’t necessarily need to be a running back this offseason. However, I wouldn’t rule out some competition being added at some point during the NFL Draft and that would shake up fantasy draft boards.

    At the end of the day, my guess is that additions on the interior offensive line and a few schematic tweaks will be what Washington goes for to fix this issue. There’s just no way it can allow that previous level of production from the running back run game again in 2025.

    The postseason has confirmed that even with DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown in the fold as veteran wideouts, rookie Xavier Worthy is the Chiefs’ top wide receiver. He’s been a critical factor in the team’s offense pushing toward its dangerous ceiling and away from the “effectively efficient but boring” title they carried for most of the fall.

    The two playoff games have also cemented the best deployment for the first-year wideout:

    Worthy and Patrick Mahomes were often not on the same page on downfield routes early this season, as the film is littered with near misses between the two in the opening months. Like a good organization often does, they didn’t keep smashing their head into the wall by continuing to keep using a player in a way that wasn’t working. As the above data shows, Worthy has become more of a layup target in the short area down the stretch. For context, he averaged 11.7 air yards per target in Weeks 1 to 13. He didn’t come close to hitting that number from Week 14 on.

    Worthy averaged 1.11 yards per route run in the first stretch and 1.62 in the second section. This role was absolutely better suited to his game.

    Most of the routes assigned to Worthy in this offense were quick-hitting patterns to get him in space and runway routes where his speed could get him away from man coverage. It’s not an exact carbon copy of what Rashee Rice was doing for the Chiefs.

    Rice is more of a hammerhead after the catch and fits into the bully-slot archetype of receiver. In contrast, Worthy is a speed-based player and a superior separator against man. But the route portfolio and the general goal of getting the receiver into space overlap for both players. I trust Andy Reid more than most coaches to make sure both guys can work at the same time, but I do think it will take some imagination for Rice to be as productive as he was to begin the season and Worthy as productive as he’s been to close it if they’re operating in these same roles.

    I’m willing to bet that in most of the postmortems following Baltimore’s playoff losses — I might be guilty of this myself — it won’t get mentioned that Lamar Jackson played this entire postseason without his top wide receiver. Zay Flowers was injured in Week 18 and never returned before Baltimore was bounced by Buffalo in the divisional round.

    Flowers might not fit the mold of a traditional No. 1 wide receiver but he’s an electric separator who is a plus playmaker with the ball in his hands. No one on that Ravens roster could replicate his skill set and you felt it in that loss to Buffalo.

    The Bills played an unusual amount of man coverage compared to their usual standards. The Ravens’ passing offense survived but lacked the big-play juice Flowers usually provides. Flowers averaged a team-high 2.44 yards per route run vs. man coverage in the regular season and there was a healthy gap between him and Baltimore’s second-place finisher. Flowers was in the slot on 44% of his snaps vs. man coverage. His ability to get open quickly in isolated coverage on the inside and do something with the ball in his hands was a big deal for this offense all season.

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    Maybe the Ravens would have won that game against Buffalo if they had their top playmaker in the passing game. Perhaps he would have been the recipient of targets that ultimately ended in mistakes for other players. Maybe it would have all gone exactly the same. Regardless, Flowers is a dynamic player who was missed in the postseason. He’s heading into his third year in 2025, which is a time we typically see players at this position take a leap.

    Bobby Slowik did some good things in his first season as the Texans offensive coordinator. He had a good grasp on many of the core Shanahan-system tenants and some of the pass route concepts worked quite well. The problem is that when the personnel changed and necessitated an evolution beyond the “Shanahan Greatest Hits,” Slowik wasn’t up to the task.

    Making matters worse, he oversaw an outright disaster season from the front five that had an extremely talented unit neutered from the first whistle of the season. If your analysis of the Slowik firing doesn’t mention the offensive line, you’ve sacrificed your ability to be taken seriously in the discussion.

    Houston had consistent communication issues along the offensive line all season, leading to waves of unblocked pressures and no ability to respond to game plans by opposing defenses. The Texans led the NFL with a 55.2% pressure rate allowed and lost a league-high 217 yards to sacks on plays the defensive line used a stunt, per Fantasy Points Data.

    No other team was north of 175.

    Of those 24 sacks, only two were charged as the quarterback’s fault. It wasn’t just pass protection, either. The Texans ranked 30th in rushing success rate in games that Joe Mixon started and finished during the regular season.

    Pedigree doesn’t mean everything but there are highly paid and drafted players on that line, and it was an outright mess from Week 1 to the divisional round loss where they allowed a whopping 51.2% pressure rate, per Next Gen Stats.

    There’s also a more meta-discussion to be had here regarding my belief that not every quarterback has to be in the Shanahan-incubator system. The offense was a nice floor-setter for C.J. Stroud in Year 1 but I think he’ll reach his best ceiling in a spread-out offense that allows him to play point guard in the shotgun and win with accuracy at all three levels. Those are the types of concepts Slowik just couldn’t get activated this season in Houston.

    I believe that Slowik can still have a bright future in the league and a change was absolutely essential for the Texans offense. Both things can be true. We don’t yet know who will assume his vacated position in Houston. However, despite the success players like Stroud and Nico Collins had in this offense in 2023, don’t just immediately assume both can’t improve with new ideas on that side of the ball going forward.

    I didn’t need to see a single postseason snap to know this deep in my soul … but that wild-card performance sure didn’t hurt.

    Fantasy points are far from a perfect encapsulation of player talent and ability. However, it does provide us with a quick and dirty way of looking at things, especially in extreme cases on either end of the spectrum. Ladd McConkey is the fourth-highest-scoring wide receiver in the NFL playoffs to date.

    As you might remember, he only played a single game.

    You have to go all the way down to the 12th-highest-scoring receiver to find another player at the position to participate in a single round of the postseason, and that was Mike Evans with 18.7 points to McConkey’s 30.2.

    I think we can definitely call McConkey’s playoff showing an extreme case on the positive end of the spectrum.

    The film was somehow even more impressive than his stats in that game. McConkey showed off everything you could possibly want from a No. 1 wide receiver. He quickly uncovered against a strong Texans secondary, crossed the face of defenders over the middle to pick up key first downs, made explosive plays with the ball in his hands and won passes in tight coverage. It was a flawless showing by the rookie wideout that was so far and away superior to the other players on the pass-catcher depth chart.

    The best part: all of those skills highlighted in that game were qualities McConkey showed off consistently over the course of the entire NFL season. What more could you want?

    If you still think McConkey isn’t a No. 1 based on something from his college profile or any size-based profiling, you’re simply stuck in your ways.





    As fantasy football managers, we always look to the NFL playoffs for insights and trends that can help us improve our strategies for the upcoming season. The 2025 playoffs were no exception, providing plenty of valuable lessons for us to consider. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind as we prepare for the 2025 fantasy football season:

    1. Running backs are still king: Despite the rise of passing offenses in the NFL, the playoffs once again highlighted the importance of having a strong running game. Teams that were able to establish the run effectively were able to control the clock, keep their defenses fresh, and wear down their opponents. As fantasy managers, we should prioritize drafting and starting running backs who are heavily involved in their team’s rushing attack.

    2. Elite quarterbacks matter: While running backs are crucial, having a top-tier quarterback can make a huge difference in fantasy football. The playoffs featured several star quarterbacks who were able to elevate their teams to victory with clutch performances. When drafting your fantasy team, consider targeting quarterbacks who have a track record of success in high-pressure situations.

    3. Don’t overlook the tight end position: Tight ends have become increasingly valuable in fantasy football, and the playoffs reinforced this trend. Several tight ends made key plays in critical moments, showcasing their ability to be reliable targets in the passing game. When setting your lineup, be sure to give your tight end position the attention it deserves.

    4. Defense wins championships: In fantasy football, it’s easy to focus solely on offensive players, but a strong defense can make a big difference in your team’s success. The playoffs showed us how dominant defenses can shut down high-powered offenses and create scoring opportunities with turnovers and sacks. Consider streaming defenses based on favorable matchups and don’t underestimate the impact they can have on your fantasy team.

    By keeping these key takeaways in mind and applying them to our fantasy football strategies, we can set ourselves up for success in the 2025 season. So listen up, fantasy football managers, and let’s learn from the lessons of the NFL playoffs to build winning teams next year.

    Tags:

    fantasy football, NFL playoffs, fantasy football managers, NFL playoffs 2025, fantasy football tips, fantasy football strategy, NFL playoffs analysis, fantasy football advice, fantasy football lessons

    #Listen #fantasy #football #managers #Heres #NFL #playoffs

  • Fantasy Premier League: Double Gameweek 25 announced – Who will play twice? What chip should I use?


    We have had several fixture announcements today, which confirmed there will be back-to-back double gameweeks in Fantasy Premier League.

    After Gameweek 24, which gets underway tomorrow (deadline 11am GMT; 6am ET) and sees two clubs, Liverpool and Everton, playing twice, we’re now also set to have a double in Gameweek 25. Six clubs can be affected in that one and which matches are rearranged for that gameweek depends on the results of the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs next week.

    For plenty of FPL managers, this will totally change their chip strategies.

    Here, we will fill you in with everything you need to know — so strap in.

    The permutations explained

    • If Arsenal progress to the Carabao Cup final by beating Newcastle United, then Arsenal and Chelsea will double in Gameweek 25 and blank in Gameweek 29.
    • If Tottenham Hotspur progress to the Carabao Cup final by beating Liverpool, then Spurs and Fulham will double in Gameweek 25. This means they will also blank in Gameweek 29.
    • If Liverpool progress to the Carabao Cup final by beating Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa will double in Gameweek 25, and also blank in Gameweek 29.

    So it’s all eyes on those Carabao Cup semi-final second legs, then.

    Arsenal, who are 2-0 down after the first leg, go to Newcastle on Wednesday, February 5, while Liverpool host Tottenham the following day with Spurs leading 1-0 on aggregate.

    Arsenal have announced their home fixture against Chelsea currently scheduled for Sunday, March 16 — the same day as the Carabao Cup final — will be moved to Tuesday, February 18 if they make it to Wembley, handing them a double gameweek in Gameweek 25.

    The same applies for Liverpool and Tottenham, whose games against Villa and Fulham have been pencilled in for March 15 and 16 respectively, but will move to Wednesday, February 19 if either club reach the Carabao Cup final.


    Arsenal could now play twice in Gameweek 25 – but only if they overcome Newcastle in the Carabao Cup (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

    There hasn’t been any announcement of a provisionally rescheduled fixture from Newcastle yet, so we have to assume that if they reach the Carabao Cup final there will be no double for them in Gameweek 25. Eddie Howe’s side not being in Europe means they have more midweek slots to play with, so their postponed fixtures will be easier to rearrange down the line.

    At the moment, Liverpool and Newcastle are the strong favourites to get to the Carabao Cup final, which means the likely doubling teams in Gameweek 25 are Liverpool and Villa. But we will know for sure before the Gameweek 25 deadline anyway, so there’s no need to take any blind risks with your transfers.

    Possible Double Gameweek 25 Fixtures

    Team Fixtures

    Arsenal

    Leicester (A) and Chelsea (H)

    Aston Villa

    Ipswich (H) and Liverpool (H)

    Chelsea

    Brighton (A) and Arsenal (A)

    Fulham

    Nottingham Forest (H) and Tottenham Hotspur (H)

    Liverpool

    Wolves (H) and Aston Villa (A)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Manchester United (H) and Fulham (A)

    Why the assistant manager chip is now pivotal

    If you were planning on playing your triple captain chip in Gameweek 24, I would recommend changing your plans. Don’t worry if you have already activated the chip as you can still cancel it.

    The assistant manager chip is the one to play now, since we have guaranteed back-to-back double gameweeks and it’s not often we get that.

    Be wary that if you activate your assistant manager, then not only can it not be cancelled but the manager you originally pick cannot be changed without using one of your free transfers. Therefore, be sure who you want to play it on before you activate it.

    You will also have to make sure you have the money in the bank to buy your preferred manager, so you might actually need to free up funds by transferring out a player. Don’t be afraid to take hits if needed. These are going to be inevitable for most FPL managers, given the short notice.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    FPL: Fantasy Premier League: How to make the most of the assistant manager chip

    I think the best route, in isolation, is going for Arne Slot of Liverpool or Everton’s David Moyes as your manager for Gameweek 24.

    Slot is the safe pick and could also have another double in Gameweek 25, so you might not need to transfer him out for another manager. Moyes is the upside pick as he has the potential bonus points on offer as he faces Liverpool at home.

    In Gameweek 25, if Liverpool beat Spurs to get to the cup final, another option is to make a change and go for Unai Emery, as Villa will then double against Ipswich (H) and Liverpool (H). I like this as it has one ‘banker game’ against Ipswich and then the potential for bonus points against Slot’s men.


    Villa’s Emery might be worth a punt with the assistant manager chip – but only if Liverpool make it to Wembley (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

    If Spurs get to the final, then you can move to their Ange Postecoglou or Fulham’s Marco Silva in Gameweek 25.

    At the moment, Fulham are five places ahead of Spurs, so their game against them counts for the table bonus, but this could change in the next gameweek. Manchester United are currently three places above Tottenham, so you won’t get a table bonus for the latter’s second game.

    You can also look to move to Silva in Gameweek 25. Fulham play Nottingham Forest and Spurs at home. They will qualify for the table bonus against Forest and should be favourites to beat Tottenham.

    I wouldn’t worry about Gameweek 25 too much right now as we need to wait on the results of those Carabao Cup semis, but it’s handy to have a provisional plan in mind.

    Don’t forget about the players

    Keep in mind that you will also need to use transfers on players from the doubling teams and, as I said before, points hits are going to be inevitable.

    A lot of us would have been stocked up on Liverpool or Everton assets, but we won’t know who is doubling in Gameweek 25 until the Carabao Cup final is set next week.

    Some of us might get lucky if you already have players from the teams who do end up doubling in 25. But the majority of us will only have a one gameweek notice period. Therefore, those FPL managers who have the most transfers saved up will benefit the most.

    You only need to worry about the next gameweek at the moment, as we don’t have the full picture for Gameweek 25 yet.

    However, when making your transfers, be wary of taking out players from clubs who could be set to play twice then.

    (Top photo: Ian Hodgson/AFP via Getty Images)



    The Fantasy Premier League has announced a Double Gameweek 25, meaning some teams will play twice during this round of fixtures. This presents a great opportunity for FPL managers to maximize their points by selecting players who have two chances to score big.

    As of now, the teams with confirmed Double Gameweek 25 fixtures are Manchester City, Manchester United, Everton, Burnley, and Aston Villa. This means that players from these teams could be valuable picks for this gameweek.

    When deciding which chip to use for Double Gameweek 25, managers have a few options. The Bench Boost chip could be a good choice as it allows you to earn points from all 15 of your players, including those on your bench. This could be particularly beneficial if you have a strong bench with players from teams with double fixtures.

    Alternatively, the Triple Captain chip could also be a good option if you have a standout player who you believe will have a standout performance in one of their two fixtures.

    Overall, Double Gameweek 25 presents a great opportunity for FPL managers to earn big points. Make sure to carefully consider your chip strategy and player selections to make the most of this exciting round of fixtures.

    Tags:

    1. Fantasy Premier League Double Gameweek 25
    2. FPL Double Gameweek 25 announced
    3. FPL Double Gameweek 25 players
    4. FPL Double Gameweek 25 chip strategy
    5. FPL Double Gameweek 25 tips
    6. FPL Double Gameweek 25 lineup predictions
    7. FPL Double Gameweek 25 fixtures
    8. FPL Double Gameweek 25 team selection
    9. FPL Double Gameweek 25 captaincy options
    10. FPL Double Gameweek 25 wildcard chip advice

    #Fantasy #Premier #League #Double #Gameweek #announced #play #chip

  • Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Friday


    • Eric MoodyJan 31, 2025, 01:30 PM ET

      Close

      • Fantasy football, basketball and sports betting writer for ESPN
      • Former manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company

    One matchup stands out on Friday’s seven-game slate as the Philadelphia 76ers host the Denver Nuggets. These teams last met in Denver on Jan. 21, but this time the stakes feel different. The struggling Nuggets have dropped three straight while the 76ers are riding a four-game winning streak. However, Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid and Paul George, which may change the dynamic.

    Two bets from this game immediately caught my attention, but there are other key plays around the league in both betting and fantasy that you need to know about.

    Friday’s fantasy stream team

    Bruce Brown, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (available in 95.6% of ESPN leagues) Brown is producing across the board — scoring, rebounding, assists and steals — especially over the past six games. He has played at least 19 minutes in each of those contests and scored 30 fantasy points in four of them.. He’s a solid option for those in deeper formats, but keep an eye on the status of Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick, as their availability could impact Brown’s streaming value.

    Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets (98.7%) Diabate is firmly on the streaming radar with Mark Williams out Friday night. He’s been playing more minutes than starter Taj Gibson lately, and has scored at least 24 fantasy points in three of his past four games, including a 34-point performance on Saturday. Despite the Hornets being 13.5-point underdogs tonight, Diabate’s minutes should be secure, making him a stronger streaming option.

    Eric Gordon, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers (97.4%) Gordon has scored 24 or more fantasy points in four straight games, and he’s played at least 29 minutes in three of them. His primary value comes from scoring, and he should see plenty of field goal attempts against the Nuggets. Any rebounds, assists or steals he adds are a bonus.

    Moody’s favorite bets for Friday

    Tyrese Maxey (PHI) over 38.5 points and assists (-110) Maxey has been outstanding this season, and the Sixers are rolling with four straight wins –even without Embiid or George. Over his past 10 games, Maxey has hit this line in five of them, but he’s still averaging 38.7 points and assists during that stretch. Even as 8.5-point underdogs, I believe Philly can keep this game close. Maxey is going to have a massive usage rate with Embiid and George out, and I expect him to step up with a big performance.

    Russell Westbrook (DEN) over 12.5 points (-125) Westbrook has found a solid role in the Nuggets’ rotation this season, building strong chemistry with Nikola Jokic. He’s hit this line in four of his past five games while averaging 31.2 minutes during that stretch. The 76ers struggle with perimeter defense, which sets up well for Westbrook to make an impact on Friday.

    LA Clippers at Charlotte Hornets Under 212.5 (-115) The Hornets are dealing with a brutal injury situation. Brandon Miller is out for the season with a wrist injury, and LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams and Cody Martin will also miss Friday’s game against the Clippers. Charlotte has hit the under in five of its past six games. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is back, and the Clippers rank first in defensive rating over the last 10 games. With key players out for the Hornets, and the Clippers locking in defensively, this has all the makings of a low-scoring affair.

    Josh Giddey (CHI) over 6.5 assists (-120) With Zach LaVine out, that plays into Giddey’s favor against the Raptors. He’s hit this line in three of his past five games and has averaged 12.8 potential assists per game during that stretch. The Raptors have struggled defensively, ranking 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions.

    Milwaukee Bucks -2.5 (-115) Milwaukee has posted a 7-3 record over their past 10 games, and they rank sixth in offensive rating and 13th in defensive rating during that stretch. On the other hand, the Spurs are just 1-5 against the spread in their past six games. Keep an eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who dropped 44 points the last time he faced the Spurs in San Antonio.

    Jayson Tatum (BOS) over 25.5 points (-120) Tatum has been inconsistent this season, hitting this line in 53% of his games, but this is a great bounce-back spot. He’s coming off of two underwhelming performances (19 and 16 points) yet has cleared this line in 64% of his 22 road games. The last time he faced the Pelicans, he dropped 38 points, and with a hefty 30.7% usage rate this season. Tatum should deliver against a Pelicans defense that ranks 29th in points allowed per 100 possessions.

    play

    1:23

    KD’s road to 30K points

    KD’s milestones as he closes in on 30,000 points

    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

    LA Clippers at Charlotte Hornets
    7 p.m. ET

    Line: Clippers -13.5 (EVEN) | Hornets 13.5 (-120)
    Money line: Clippers -800 | Hornets +500
    Total: 208.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Clippers by 16.3, straight up 90%, 211.2 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Clippers: P.J. Tucker, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Christie, (OUT – Ankle); Kris Dunn, (OUT – Knee)
    Hornets: Josh Green, (GTD – Foot); Cody Martin, (OUT – Abdomen); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot); LaMelo Ball, (OUT – Ankle); Tre Mann, (OUT – Back)

    Clippers projections:

    Hornets projections:

    Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons
    7 p.m. ET

    Line: Mavericks -1.5 (EVEN) | Pistons 1.5 (-120)
    Money line: Mavericks -115 | Pistons -105
    Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Pistons by 4.1, straight up 63%, 229.3 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Mavericks: Dante Exum, (GTD – Wrist); Dwight Powell, (OUT – Hip); Luka Doncic, (OUT – Calf); Dereck Lively II, (OUT – Ankle); Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Foot)
    Pistons: Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Lower Leg)

    Mavericks projections:

    Pistons projections:

    Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers
    7:30 p.m. ET

    Line: Nuggets -8.5 (-115) | 76ers 8.5 (-105)
    Money line: Nuggets -360 | 76ers +280
    Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: Nuggets by 10.5, straight up 80%, 228.9 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee); DaRon Holmes II, (OUT – Achilles)
    76ers: Andre Drummond, (OUT – Toe); Caleb Martin, (OUT – Hip); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee); KJ Martin, (OUT – Foot); Paul George, (OUT – Finger); Jared McCain, (OUT – Knee)

    Nuggets projections:

    76ers projections:

    Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors
    7:30 p.m. ET

    Line: Bulls 3.5 (-105) | Raptors -3.5 (-115)
    Money line: Bulls +140 | Raptors -165
    Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
    BPI Projection: Raptors by 1.1, straight up 54%, 238.2 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Bulls: Talen Horton-Tucker, (GTD – Lower Leg); Zach LaVine, (OUT – Personal); Torrey Craig, (OUT – Ankle)
    Raptors: Gradey Dick, (GTD – Illness); Immanuel Quickley, (GTD – Hip); Jamal Shead, (GTD – Illness); Kelly Olynyk, (GTD – Calf)

    Bulls projections:

    • Nikola Vucevic, C: 35.7 FPTS (17.8 pts, 10.6 reb, 3.4 ast)

    • Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 33.3 FPTS (13.6 pts, 8.1 reb, 6.1 ast)

    • Coby White, PG/SG: 32.1 FPTS (18.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)

    • Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 25.3 FPTS (12.5 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.4 ast)

    • Lonzo Ball, PG: 20.6 FPTS (7.2 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.2 ast)

    • Patrick Williams, PF: 20.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.2 ast)

    • Jalen Smith, PF/C: 17.0 FPTS (9.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.0 ast)

    Raptors projections:

    • Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF: 42.0 FPTS (20.4 pts, 8.0 reb, 6.3 ast)

    • RJ Barrett, SG/SF/PF: 33.4 FPTS (19.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.3 ast)

    • Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 29.7 FPTS (15.4 pts, 2.6 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)

    • Jakob Poeltl, C: 28.2 FPTS (12.1 pts, 9.5 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.2 blk)

    • Gradey Dick, SG/SF: 18.8 FPTS (10.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)

    • Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 18.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.9 ast)

    • Davion Mitchell, PG: 16.5 FPTS (7.2 pts, 1.8 reb, 3.9 ast)

    Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans
    8 p.m. ET

    Line: Celtics -10.5 (-115) | Pelicans 10.5 (-105)
    Money line: Celtics -550 | Pelicans +380
    Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
    BPI Projection: Celtics by 8.1, straight up 75%, 226.6 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Celtics: Al Horford, (GTD – Toe); Sam Hauser, (GTD – Hip)
    Pelicans: Daniel Theis, (GTD – Thumb); Dejounte Murray, (GTD – Finger); Jordan Hawkins, (GTD – Illness); Brandon Ingram, (OUT – Ankle); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Shoulder)

    Celtics projections:

    • Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 47.5 FPTS (24.8 pts, 8.3 reb, 6.1 ast, 3.3 3PM)

    • Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 42.8 FPTS (24.3 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)

    • Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 31.7 FPTS (17.8 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.2 3PM, 1.3 blk)

    • Derrick White, PG/SG: 29.5 FPTS (14.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 3.0 3PM)

    • Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 23.6 FPTS (10.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.2 ast)

    • Payton Pritchard, PG: 23.6 FPTS (10.0 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.3 3PM)

    • Al Horford, PF/C: 16.1 FPTS (6.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.8 ast)

    Pelicans projections:

    Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs
    8 p.m. ET

    Line: Bucks -2.5 (-110) | Spurs 2.5 (-110)
    Money line: Bucks -135 | Spurs +115
    Total: 234.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Spurs by 2.7, straight up 59%, 228.8 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Bucks: AJ Green, (GTD – Quadriceps); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Knee); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Ankle); Liam Robbins, (GTD – Undisclosed); Bobby Portis, (OUT – Personal)
    Spurs: Sidy Cissoko, (GTD – Concussion); Riley Minix, (OUT – Shoulder)

    Bucks projections:

    Spurs projections:

    Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors
    10 p.m. ET

    Line: Suns -1.5 (-115) | Warriors 1.5 (-105)
    Money line: Suns -120 | Warriors +EVEN
    Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Warriors by 0.4, straight up 51%, 226.8 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Suns: None reported
    Warriors: Draymond Green, (OUT – Calf); Jonathan Kuminga, (OUT – Ankle)

    Suns projections:

    • Devin Booker, PG/SG: 45.8 FPTS (27.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 6.7 ast, 2.6 3PM)

    • Kevin Durant, PF: 40.5 FPTS (27.2 pts, 6.0 reb, 4.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)

    • Tyus Jones, PG: 25.3 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 5.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)

    • Bradley Beal, SG/SF: 24.8 FPTS (14.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.3 ast)

    • Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 18.4 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)

    • Royce O’Neale, SF: 17.8 FPTS (7.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)

    • Josh Okogie, SG/SF: 16.6 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.3 ast)

    Warriors projections:



    Fantasy Basketball Picks and Betting Tips for Friday

    Are you looking to dominate your fantasy basketball league or make some profitable bets on Friday night’s NBA games? Look no further! Here are some top picks and tips to help you come out on top:

    Top Fantasy Basketball Picks:
    1. James Harden, Brooklyn Nets – Harden is a triple-double machine and has been on fire since joining the Nets. He should have a big night against the struggling Orlando Magic.

    2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets – Jokic is a fantasy stud and is coming off a monster game. He faces the Cleveland Cavaliers, who struggle to defend big men.

    3. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers – Davis is back from injury and should have a big game against the Portland Trail Blazers, who have a weak frontcourt.

    Betting Tips:
    1. Look for value in underdog teams – Sometimes the underdogs can provide great value, especially if they are playing a tired or injured favorite.

    2. Pay attention to injury reports – Injuries can have a huge impact on a game, so make sure to stay updated on the latest news before placing your bets.

    3. Consider the over/under – If you’re unsure about picking a side, consider betting on the over/under. This can be a safer bet and still provide some excitement during the game.

    Good luck with your fantasy picks and bets on Friday night’s NBA action!

    Tags:

    fantasy basketball picks, betting tips, Friday basketball picks, NBA betting tips, daily fantasy basketball, fantasy sports betting, basketball betting strategies, NBA fantasy lineup, basketball betting predictions, Friday night basketball picks

    #Fantasy #basketball #picks #betting #tips #Friday

  • Fantasy Booking Decisions That Will Make or Break WWE Royal Rumble 2025 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors


    INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 6: Roman Reigns and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson face-off during RAW at Intuit Dome on January 6, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)

    WWE/Getty Images

    While WrestleMania tends to steal the headlines each
    year, WWE’s annual Royal Rumble premium live event (PLE) is actually the
    company’s second most important show and arguably its most entertaining.

    With so many options in the men’s and women’s 30-person
    Battle Royals, the unpredictability of the 2025 Royal Rumble has added a
    genuine excitement that is missing from many of WWE’s marquee events.

    Here are the fantasy booking decisions that will make
    or break the February PLE.

    Roman Reigns Steals the Show

    In the men’s Royal Rumble, there are ample options for
    potential winners, including John Cena, CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Drew
    McIntyre, but there is one option that stands above the rest as the best for
    WWE.

    Roma Reigns should win the 2025 Royal Rumble.

    The Bloodline storyline has been a central focal point
    of WWE for over two years, and it still hasn’t run its course. With several of
    the small players in the drama falling to the wayside, it’s time to get back to
    the top stars squaring off.

    If Reigns wins the 30-man Battle Royal, WWE Creative
    can go in two key directions for the Road to WrestleMania 41. Either Reigns
    battles Cody Rhodes again for the world title, or Triple H can throw everyone a
    curveball and get Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson involved.

    With so much on the line at the Royal Rumble, the WWE
    Universe should fully expect The Rock to make his presence felt at the PLE, but
    we’ll get to that next…

    The Rock Needs to Show Up

    After Reigns wins the Royal Rumble, Rhodes should walk
    down to the ring to set up what most fans believe would be a singles match
    between the two foes. Instead, Johnson should interrupt the segment and enter
    the ring.

    The Rock should claim that Reigns needs to go through
    him to get to the Undisputed WWE Championship, with the two men coming
    nose-to-nose before Rhodes breaks up the confrontation by announcing he’ll
    defend the belt against both challengers in Las Vegas.

    By booking Johnson for the end of the Royal Rumble, the
    company would build serious momentum heading into this week’s Raw and SmackDown
    episodes and drive interest in the product at the most critical time of year.

    With Reigns and Rhodes on television each week to build
    to the eventual Triple Threat match, The Rock could continue working his
    limited schedule, only appearing occasionally to keep the program fresh.

    It’s a win-win-win situation.

    Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair Need to Win

    There is genuine excitement surrounding the men’s Royal
    Rumble match, but the women’s edition of the Battle Royal is wide open in terms
    of possible winners.

    While the roster is as deep as ever, WWE needs to go
    back to a tried-and-true performer for the 2025 winner. Whether it’s Becky
    Lynch or Charlotte Flair, the company needs a top name back on top, and two of
    the Four Horsewomen are the best candidates.

    Triple H and WWE Creative have ample options, such as
    Bayley, Nia Jax, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, or someone from NXT, but they are
    building to a massive WrestleMania match that has the potential to main event
    Night 1.

    Whether WWE goes back to a familiar story pitting Becky
    Lynch against Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship, or moves toward
    something new with Charlotte Flair battling Tiffany Stratton for the WWE
    Women’s Championship, the company needs its biggest names at the top of the
    card again.

    For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring
    Rust Radio     for all of the hot topics or catch the latest
    episode in the player above (some language NSFW).





    Fantasy Booking Decisions That Will Make or Break WWE Royal Rumble 2025

    As we gear up for WWE’s Royal Rumble 2025, fans are buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling night of action. With the Royal Rumble match itself being the main attraction, there are several key fantasy booking decisions that could make or break the event. Here are some potential scenarios that could shape the outcome of the Royal Rumble and have a lasting impact on the WWE landscape:

    1. Surprise Entrants: One of the most exciting aspects of the Royal Rumble match is the surprise entrants who make unexpected returns or debuts. Will we see legends like The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin make a surprise appearance? Or perhaps some NXT stars looking to make a big impact on the main roster? The inclusion of these surprise entrants could add an extra layer of excitement to the match and keep fans on the edge of their seats.

    2. Title Matches: The Royal Rumble is not just about the Rumble match itself, but also about the championship matches that take place throughout the night. Will we see any title changes or shocking upsets during these matches? How will these outcomes set the stage for WrestleMania? The booking of these title matches will play a crucial role in determining the overall success of the event.

    3. Winner of the Royal Rumble: Perhaps the most important fantasy booking decision of all is determining the winner of the Royal Rumble match. Will a fan favorite like Daniel Bryan or AJ Styles emerge victorious? Or will a surprise underdog come out on top and challenge for the title at WrestleMania? The winner of the Royal Rumble can shape the direction of the company for months to come, so this decision must be carefully considered.

    4. Storyline Developments: In addition to the Royal Rumble match itself, the event is also a prime opportunity to advance ongoing storylines and set up new feuds. Will we see any shocking betrayals or alliances formed during the event? How will these developments impact the overall WWE landscape moving forward? The booking of these storyline developments will be crucial in keeping fans invested in the product.

    Overall, the fantasy booking decisions made for WWE Royal Rumble 2025 will have a significant impact on the success of the event and the direction of the company as a whole. With so much on the line, it will be interesting to see how these decisions play out and what surprises await us on the road to WrestleMania. Stay tuned for all the latest news, scores, highlights, stats, and rumors leading up to the big event.

    Tags:

    1. WWE Royal Rumble 2025
    2. Fantasy Booking Decisions
    3. Wrestling News
    4. Royal Rumble Highlights
    5. WWE Rumors
    6. Wrestling Stats
    7. Royal Rumble Predictions
    8. WWE Fantasy Booking
    9. Wrestling Scores
    10. Royal Rumble 2025 Rumors.

    #Fantasy #Booking #Decisions #Break #WWE #Royal #Rumble #News #Scores #Highlights #Stats #Rumors

  • 2025 Fantasy Football mock draft: Brock Bowers in the first round, takeaways from way-too-early mock draft


    If you have one takeaway from the earliest possible mock draft among fantasy football sickos who never stop pondering player valuations, let it be this: If you want Brock Bowers on your fantasy squad in 2025, you better be emotionally, psychologically, and physically prepared to burn a first-round pick on the Raiders tight end.

    I joined 11 fellow fantasy analysts from NBC Sports and Fantasy Life in late January to run through a 12-round mock draft for the 2025 season. We did not include incoming rookies, and of course NFL free agency is going to make some of these picks look much worse (or better), but what follows are some of my thoughts on how fantasy drafters might value players in positions eight months from now, when the real seasonal drafting begins for well-adjusted humans.

    Bowers was the 12th player off the board, taken by Rivers McCown. It harkens back to a bygone era in which tight ends — names Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham — were treated in fantasy circles like high-end receivers. Bowers’ 263 PPR points in 2024 would have made him the eighth highest scoring wideout in fantasy, ahead of guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Mike Evans.

    It’s not as if Bowers’ outrageous rookie campaign was fueled by unsustainable touchdown production. He scored five touchdowns over 17 games, and the less-than-competent Raiders targeted Bowers just eight times inside the ten yard line; Diontae Johnson and Wan’Dale Robinson were among the pass catchers who had more green zone looks in 2024. Truly tragic stuff.

    The only tight end Bowers did not lap in production last season was Trey McBride, who also ran ice cold on touchdowns thanks mostly to Kyler Murray’s red zone deficiencies. McBride, taken with the 16th pick in this mock draft by Rotoworld’s Zach Krueger, fell just short of Bowers’ catch and yardage totals, but bested him in yards per route run. I could see both Bowers and McBride being drafted among the first 12 or 14 picks come summertime. If you want these guys, you gotta go get them.

    2025 Fantasy Football mock draft board

    Screenshot 2025-01-30 at 10.16.04 AM.png

    2025 Fantasy Football mock draft first-round picks

    1.1 (1) Ja’Marr Chase – WR, Bengals
    1.2 (2) Jahmyr Gibbs – RB, Lions
    1.3 (3) Saquon Barkley – RB, Eagles
    1.4 (4) Justin Jefferson – WR, Vikings
    1.5 (5) Bijan Robinson – RB, Falcons
    1.6 (6) CeeDee Lamb – WR, Cowboys
    1.7 (7) De’Von Achane – RB, Dolphins
    1.8 (8) Puka Nacua – WR, Rams
    1.9 (9) Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR, Lions
    1.10 (10) A.J. Brown- WR, Eagles
    1.11 (11) Derrick Henry – RB, Ravens
    1.12 (12) Brock Bowers – TE, Raiders

    2025 Fantasy Football mock draft second-round picks

    2.1 (13) Nico Collins – WR, Texans
    2.2 (14) Brian Thomas – WR, Jaguars
    2.3 (15) Drake London – WR, Falcons
    2.4 (16) Trey McBride – TE, Falcons
    2.5 (17) Malik Nabers – WR, Giants
    2.6 (18) Tyreek Hill – WR, Dolphins
    2.7 (19) Christian McCaffrey – RB, 49ers
    2.8 (20) Josh Jacobs – RB, Packers
    2.9 (21) Jonathan Taylor – RB, Colts
    2.10 (22) Kyren Williams – RB, Rams
    2.11 (23) James Cook – RB, Bills
    2.12 (24) Breece Hall – RB, Jets

    2025 Fantasy Football mock draft – QB Takeaways

    Lawrence Jackson made Lamar Jackson the first quarterback off the draft board in the third round after Jackson in 2024 posted career highs in passing touchdowns and yards while throwing an interception on a minuscule 0.8 percent of his attempts. Jackson’s rushing totals were very much in line with prior seasons too. Even if Jackson’s gaudy touchdown rate (8.6 percent, just short of his career high 9 percent rate in 2019) falls in 2025, he should be locked in as a top-two fantasy quarterback. Todd Monken remaining Baltimore’s OC is a boon for Jackson.

    Josh Allen was the second quarterback taken (by my favorite zoomer, Kyle Dvorchak) and Jayden Daniels (drafted by Damian Dabrowski) was the third. Daniels, who in 2024 had a very repeatable — even beatable — 5.2 percent touchdown rate, was the most obvious late-round QB pick in fantasy history last summer. You’ll have to spend significant draft capital to secure Daniels in 2025. But you knew that already. He’ll have continuity on his side with Kliff Kingsbury remaining in Washington.

    Some other notable quarterback selections

    –Jalen Hurts didn’t go until the sixth round, when Rivers McCown had no choice but to take the guy who has 42 rushing touchdowns over the past three regular seasons.

    –Patrick Mahomes (taken by Chris Allen) went just after Joe Burrow (Ian Hartitz). I’m not entirely sure those two should be all that close considering check-down merchant Mahomes scored about 100 fewer fantasy points than Burrow in 2024. Burrow’s 6.6 percent TD rate qualified as a career high, however, and could be subject to decline next season.

    –Anthony Richardson, drafted by Producer Adam Wise, lingered on the board until the 12th round, about eight rounds later than he was taken last summer on average. I’m no A-Rich defender — we talked recently on the Rotoworld Football Show about the prospect of a quarterback competition in Indianapolis — but a QB with that kind of rushing upside should be taken in all fantasy formats. Richardson in 2024 averaged almost eight rushing attempts per game, including 14 inside-the-ten rushes. He can remain a miserably poor passer and still get there for fantasy purposes.

    2025 Fantasy Football Mock Draft – RB Takeaways

    Saquon Barkley being the only player who mattered in 2024 fantasy leagues will surely create a massive overcorrection in how fantasy players value top-end running backs next summer. Many drafts — among both savvy fantasy veterans and more casual folks — will be little more than a race to see who can get a pair of elite backs. We’ve seen this happen with wideouts and quarterbacks after positional outlier seasons. It rarely works well for those who chase trends harder than I chase my dog when he sees a squirrel dash across the backyard.

    -Eleven of the first 24 picks in this mock draft were running backs, including four of the first seven. Probably this won’t be reflective of more casual leagues, where we might see 14 or 15 running backs go in the first two rounds of 12-teams drafts. The running back hunger will be real, and it will create ludicrous values for the game’s best receivers.

    -Davis Mattek took Christian McCaffrey with the 19th overall pick, an incomprehensible valuation as recently as six months ago. Entering his age-29 season and coming off an injury-riddled 2024 campaign, CMC might not have the juice he had two or three seasons ago, but should prove a value as a second rounder in Kyle Shanahan’s ultra-efficient EPA Machine. McCaffrey wasn’t exactly bad in 2024. His 2.7 yards after contact per rush — a decent measure of running back ability — was well south of his 2022 and 2023 rates, but in line with what he averaged as a Panther. CMC’s 2024 yards after the catch per reception, a career-low 6.7, is perhaps cause for concern, though this was with a small sample (15 catches on 19 targets).

    -As a tried and true Zero RB zealot, I (think) I took advantage of falling receiver ADPs and started the draft with A.J. Brown, Drake London — who cooked with Michael Penix under center — and Davante Adams, who hopefully — like Kurt Russell in 1981 — escapes New York. I then took Ken Walker as my RB1, and two rounds later took Isiah Pacheco as my RB2 (I piled up some contingency backs like Ray Davis, Rachaad White, and MarShawn Lloyd later in the draft).

    Pacheco, who has been horrific in his return from a broken leg in September, could be a disastrous sixth round selection if the Chiefs invest significant draft capital in another backfield option or bring back 30-year-old Kareem Hunt as a lead back. There’s also the matter of recovery. It took almost 18 months for Tony Pollard to fully recover from his leg break. Pacheco returned to the Kansas City lineup within three months of his leg injury. The hope would be Pacheco is close to full health by next fall.

    The Chiefs seem to like Pacheco (when healthy) and appeared open to Pacheco as something close to an every-down back before his Week 2 leg injury. He ran a route on 23 of 31 Mahomes drop backs in Week 1 against the Ravens and saw five targets in Week 2 against the Bengals before his second half leg break. Pacheco had 34 of KC’s 42 running back rushes over those two games. A return to fantasy RB2 status for Pacheco — the team’s primary goal line back in 2023 — is in his 2025 range of outcomes, a phrase I like to use when I don’t actually know anything.

    –Bucky Irving, who finished 2024 as the 12th highest scoring back in fantasy, was taken here as the 12th running back (by Damian, who ended up with one of the mock’s stronger teams). Tampa’s late-season commitment to Irving as the team’s lead back and Irving’s stunning efficiency — he led all running backs in yards after contact per rush — should probably make him one of the first five or six RBs taken in 2025. I would happily draft Irving over Jonathan Taylor, Breece Hall, and Kyren Williams, to name a few.

    –Tyrone Tracy in the seventh round is a pretty sweet value for Producer Pete Damilatis. Tracy, unless the Giants do something idiotic (imagine that) and spend a bunch of draft capital at running back, would seem to be the favorite to be New York’s lead back in 2025. Hopefully Tracy — a wide receiver for much of his college career — can improve as a pass catcher next season. Pro Football Focus in 2024 graded him as the league’s third worst pass catching back, as he logged a drop on 14 percent of his targets. Only three backs had a higher drop rate.

    2025 Fantasy Football Mock Draft – WR Takeaways

    -I took Drake London with the 15th overall pick, just ahead of Malik Nabers. It was an excruciating decision, or as excruciating as a decision can be in a make-believe draft in January. London’s 490 air yards over Michael Penix’s three 2024 starts led the NFL, as did his 39 targets over that span. He saw fully half of Atlanta’s air yards and 41 percent of the team’s targets in those Penix starts. It could portend big things for the big-bodied London in 2025.

    -Pat Daugherty sniped me on Brian Thomas in the second round. It’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but it’s close. Maybe top five. Thomas popped in every conceivable metric in 2024 despite horrific quarterback play and new Jaguars head coach is already talking up Thomas as a dominant slot guy. Coen is on to something, as only Marvin Mims and Puka Nacua had a higher rate of yards per route than Thomas last season. If you don’t think Thomas has overall WR1 in his range of 2025 outcomes, you haven’t been paying adequate attention. Snap to it.

    -Kyle Dvorchak, that sneaky zoomer, took Ladd McConkey in the third round ahead of wideouts like Xavier Worthy, DJ Moore, and Rashee Rice. You might not have to be quite so aggressive to acquire McConkey in your league — depending on your league mates’ experience and scoring settings and whatnot — but I like the pick. LA’s offense leaned hard into the pass over the season’s second half and McConkey, after battling some injuries earlier in the season, took command as the team’s unquestioned No. 1 wideout. McConkey profiles as a superb WR2 or WR3 option with plenty of upside if the Chargers continue establishing the pass in 2025.

    –Ricky Pearsall going ahead of Chris Godwin and Josh Downs is probably a reach. Unless the 49ers part ways with Deebo Samuel after his miserable 2024 season, Pearsall will be, at best, the team’s fourth option in the pass game. The typically low volume (and efficient) Niners passing attack isn’t designed to support more than two or three pass catchers from a fantasy perspective. Pearsall’s yards per route run ranked 73rd out of 100 qualifying receivers in 2024, alongside Ray-Ray McCloud, Allen Lazard, and Xavier Worthy, who had the league’s worst open score, per ESPN.

    -The fantasy outlook for Michael Pittman and the aforementioned Downs will hinge entirely on whether the Colts stick with Richardson as their starting quarterback. The lack of passing volume and Richardson’s inaccuracy — an issue he’s addressing this offseason with Josh Allen’s biometrics coach — make the Colts wideouts top-40 options rather than locked-in top-24 plays.

    -Adam Wise had one of the better picks of the draft in nabbing Marvin Mims as his WR5. Sean Payton in the 2024 season’s final month and a half discovered Mims’ existence and used him as a short-area playmaker. Finishing ninth among all receivers in yards per route run, the speedy Mims was targeted on 29 percent of his routes over Denver’s final five games. That’s quite high. Mims will be a must-have for those who go RB-heavy in the early rounds. He’ll be an embarrassment of riches for Zero RB truthers.

    2025 Fantasy Football Mock Draft – TE Takeaways

    -Beyond McBride and Bowers (see above for my thoughts on those two elite tight ends), David Njoku struck me as the best tight end selection in this draft. Taken by Ian Hartitz in the eighth round — three rounds after Sam LaPorta — Njoku appears to be a screaming value as the eighth tight end off the board. Some are asking why I didn’t take Njoku instead of the dad-running Travis Kelce. My interns are crafting a statement on the matter. Back to Njoku: He was targeted on 24 percent of his pass routes last season, a strong rate for a tight end. Any time he has a halfway viable quarterback, Njoku cooks. He should be the target for those who fade Bowers and McBride.

    -The horror movie that was Mark Andrews’ season-ending Divisional Round performance against the Bills could be enough to suppress his ADP in 2025. I couldn’t blame fantasy managers for that. We are only human, and can never forget what we saw from Andrews against Buffalo. It is tattooed onto our brains. Anyway, Andrews went way too late here (Chris Allen took him in the eighth round). Andrews finished 2024 with the sixth highest yards per route run among tight ends. His yards per route run ranked third among all tight ends over the season’s second half. The Ravens used Andrews from the slot more often (65 percent) in the season’s final couple months. That should be a boon for his fantasy prospects headed into 2025 if one can forget about Andrews’ playoff performance through hypnosis or something.

    -Producer Pete snagged Jonnu Smith in the tenth round. Somehow Dalton Kincaid went before Smith, who scored the fourth most tight end fantasy points last year as the Dolphins abandoned their wideout-heavy offensive approach in favor of check downs to Smith and De’Von Achane. No tight end saw as many inside-the-ten targets (13) as Smith, who scored seven of his eight touchdowns on those looks. Only Kelce, Bowers, and McBride had more receptions than Smith from Week 5 (when Smith was finally given a full complement of routes) to Week 18. Mike McDaniel let Jonnu cook. He could very well be forgotten in the elite tight end shuffle this summer.





    2025 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Brock Bowers in the First Round

    As we gear up for the 2025 fantasy football season, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to potential draft targets. In this way-too-early mock draft, we see Georgia tight end Brock Bowers being selected in the first round, signaling his potential rise to fantasy stardom in the coming years.

    Bowers, a dynamic playmaker with a rare combination of size, speed, and hands, has already shown flashes of brilliance in his college career. With his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches against defenders, it’s easy to see why he would be a coveted fantasy asset in the future.

    Some takeaways from this mock draft include the importance of targeting young, up-and-coming players with high upside. Bowers represents the type of player who could provide a significant return on investment for fantasy managers willing to take a chance on his potential.

    Additionally, the tight end position continues to be a valuable asset in fantasy football, with players like Bowers offering a unique advantage in terms of scoring opportunities and production.

    Overall, while it’s always important to approach mock drafts with caution and a grain of salt, the selection of Brock Bowers in the first round of this early mock draft serves as a reminder of the potential impact he could have on fantasy football rosters in the years to come. Keep an eye on Bowers as he continues to develop and showcase his talents at the next level.

    Tags:

    Fantasy football, 2025 mock draft, Brock Bowers, first round, way-too-early mock draft, fantasy football draft, 2025 draft analysis, fantasy football strategy, fantasy football news

    #Fantasy #Football #mock #draft #Brock #Bowers #takeaways #waytooearly #mock #draft

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  • Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Thursday


    The NBA has five games on the schedule Thursday night, highlighted by a battle between the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the Western Conference.

    The Houston Rockets have been arguably the hottest team in the NBA since the calendar turned to 2025, and are winners of 11 of their past 14 games. The Memphis Grizzlies, meanwhile, just had a six-game winning streak snapped in their last outing and host Houston after winning four straight games at home.

    Let’s get into the fantasy options to stream and bets to make on Thursday.

    Thursday’s Stream Team

    Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers (Available in 76.4% of ESPN leagues)

    Camara missed a game last week due to illness but has been stellar since his return. He has averaged 14.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.8 3PG and 1.0 SPG in 35.8 MPG in his past four games.

    Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (55.1% available)

    Edey is having one of the best weeks of his rookie campaign. He has almost averaged a double-double with excellent defensive numbers in his past three games: 13.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.0 BPG and 1.0 SPG in 23.7 MPG.

    Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (57.6% available)

    McDaniels has been filling the stat sheet across the board in his past 10 outings: 14.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.5 3PG and 1.3 BPG in 35.2 MPG. Those are all plus stats, and particularly valuable in category leagues where defensive stats and 3-pointers are scarcer commodities.

    Dre’s bets for Thursday

    Rockets +5.5 over Grizzlies (-115)

    This is the fourth meeting of the season between these two teams. The Rockets have won all three of the previous matchups, including both games earlier this month. The Grizzlies are playing well, winners of six of their past seven, but the Rockets are on a four-game winning streak of their own and match up well against the Grizzlies. Keep an eye on the availability of Alperen Sengun (calf), but whether he plays or not, I’ll take the Rockets with the points.

    De’Andre Hunter over 17.5 points (-115)

    Hunter has averaged 19.1 PPG on the season, and after a slower start to 2025 he is back up to 18.2 PPG in his past five outings. Atlanta needs more from Hunter with Jalen Johnson done for the season, and he has played well against Cleveland this season. Hunter has averaged 24.5 points on 57.1 FG% in two matchups vs. the Cavaliers.

    Toumani Camara over 10.5 points (-115)

    Camara has been steadily improving over the course of the season, particularly since the end of 2024 and into the new year. He has scored at least 11 points in 11 of his past 15 games going back to Dec. 30, including in three of his past four outings this week, and has averaged 14.6 PPG during that span.

    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

    Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards
    7 p.m. ET

    Line: Lakers -8.5 (-105) | Wizards +8.5 (-115)
    Money line: Lakers -340 | Wizards +270
    Total: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: Lakers by 2, straight up 57%, 228.4 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Lakers: Maxwell Lewis, (OUT – Lower Leg); Gabe Vincent, (GTD – Knee); LeBron James, (GTD – Foot); Rui Hachimura, (GTD – Calf); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT – Hamstring); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Abdomen); Christian Wood, (OUT – Knee)
    Wizards: Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD – Foot); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT – Knee); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee)

    Lakers projections:

    • LeBron James, SF/PF: 41.9 FPTS (23.5 pts, 6.8 reb, 7.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)

    • Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 36.0 FPTS (18.1 pts, 4.0 reb, 6.8 ast, 2.6 3PM)

    • Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 23.5 FPTS (12.9 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.6 ast)

    • Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 16.4 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.4 ast)

    • Max Christie, SG: 15.3 FPTS (7.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.6 ast)

    • Gabe Vincent, PG: 13.2 FPTS (6.3 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.5 ast)

    • Cam Reddish, SG/SF: 11.4 FPTS (5.5 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.1 ast)

    Wizards projections:

    Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
    7 p.m. ET on TNT

    Line: Hawks +10.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -10.5 (-105)
    Money line: Hawks +360 | Cavaliers -500
    Total: 238.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
    BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 10.3, straight up 80%, 242.7 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Hawks: Trae Young, (GTD – Hamstring); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Personal); Clint Capela, (OUT – Back); Cody Zeller, (OUT – Personal); Jalen Johnson, (OUT – Shoulder); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT – Shoulder)
    Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Wrist); Darius Garland, (GTD – Jaw); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Shoulder); Luke Travers, (GTD – Ankle); Sam Merrill, (GTD – Illness); Dean Wade, (OUT – Knee)

    Hawks projections:

    Cavaliers projections:

    • Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 43.5 FPTS (24.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.9 ast, 3.4 3PM)

    • Darius Garland, PG: 35.0 FPTS (19.6 pts, 2.2 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)

    • Evan Mobley, PF/C: 30.1 FPTS (16.0 pts, 8.5 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.6 blk)

    • Jarrett Allen, C: 27.9 FPTS (13.9 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.9 ast)

    • Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 21.5 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.3 ast)

    • Max Strus, SG/SF: 20.4 FPTS (8.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)

    • Ty Jerome, PG: 19.2 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.5 ast)

    Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz
    9 p.m. ET

    Line: Timberwolves -7.5 (-105) | Jazz +7.5 (-115)
    Money line: Timberwolves -280 | Jazz +230
    Total: 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
    BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 5.2, straight up 67%, 223.5 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Timberwolves: Naz Reid, (GTD – Illness); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot); Donte DiVincenzo, (OUT – Toe)
    Jazz: John Collins, (GTD – Illness); Johnny Juzang, (GTD – Hand); Walker Kessler, (GTD – Shoulder); Cody Williams, (OUT – Ankle); Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Lower Leg)

    Timberwolves projections:

    Jazz projections:

    Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies
    9:30 p.m. ET on TNT

    Line: Rockets +5.5 (-115) | Grizzlies -5.5 (-105)
    Money line: Rockets +165 | Grizzlies -195
    Total: 236.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 3.9, straight up 63%, 237.8 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (GTD – Calf); Steven Adams, (GTD – Ankle); Jabari Smith Jr., (OUT – Hand)
    Grizzlies: Cam Spencer, (OUT – Thumb); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Finger); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT – Ankle)

    Rockets projections:

    • Alperen Sengun, C: 37.4 FPTS (19.0 pts, 9.1 reb, 4.7 ast)

    • Fred VanVleet, PG: 36.4 FPTS (15.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.7 3PM)

    • Jalen Green, SG: 32.7 FPTS (19.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.6 3PM)

    • Amen Thompson, SG/SF/PF: 30.1 FPTS (15.3 pts, 7.8 reb, 3.4 ast)

    • Tari Eason, SF/PF: 25.6 FPTS (11.7 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.6 ast)

    • Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 23.6 FPTS (13.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)

    • Cam Whitmore, SF: 18.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.3 ast)

    Grizzlies projections:

    Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers
    10 p.m. ET

    Line: Magic -5.5 (-105) | +Blazers 5.5 (-115)
    Money line: Magic -200 | Blazers +170
    Total: 212.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
    BPI Projection: Magic by 1.1, straight up 54%, 212.2 total points.

    Injury Report:
    Magic: Gary Harris, (GTD – Hamstring); Jalen Suggs, (GTD – Quadriceps); Moritz Wagner, (OUT – Knee)
    Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Ankle); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Ankle)

    Magic projections:

    Blazers projections:



    Fantasy Basketball Picks and Betting Tips for Thursday Night

    Are you looking to dominate your fantasy basketball league or make some extra cash with some smart bets? Look no further! Here are some top picks and betting tips for Thursday night’s slate of NBA games:

    1. Player to Watch: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – The reigning MVP has been on fire lately, averaging 30.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over his last four games. Look for him to have another big night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

    2. Value Pick: Lonzo Ball (New Orleans Pelicans) – Ball has been playing well lately, posting two triple-doubles in his last five games. He’s a solid option at a lower price point and could provide some nice value for your fantasy lineup.

    3. Betting Tip: Take the over on the total points in the game between the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets. Both teams have high-powered offenses and struggle on defense, so expect a high-scoring affair.

    4. Dark Horse Pick: De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings) – Fox has been putting up solid numbers recently and could have a big game against the Memphis Grizzlies, who have struggled on defense this season.

    Remember to always do your research and consider factors like injuries, matchups, and recent performance when making your fantasy basketball picks and bets. Good luck!

    Tags:

    fantasy basketball picks, betting tips, Thursday NBA picks, fantasy sports betting, basketball betting strategies, daily fantasy basketball tips, NBA betting advice, fantasy basketball lineup advice, NBA betting predictions, sports betting analysis, Thursday basketball picks

    #Fantasy #basketball #picks #betting #tips #Thursday

  • Fantasy Flight Games Arkham Horror The Card Game The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion – Embrace The Occult Secrets of Arkham! Cooperative LCG, Ages 14+, 1-4 Players, 1-2 Hour Playtime, Made


    Price: $44.99 – $36.85
    (as of Jan 30,2025 22:06:00 UTC – Details)



    In the grim and brooding town of Arkham, arcane secrets lie buried with the dead. When sinister forces threaten to unveil these truths, it is up to a brave, foolish few to put a stop to it. The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion for Arkham Horror: The Card Game features six investigators and contains all of the player cards and customization options featured in the original The Circle Undone cycle of products. Keep your allies’ minds from breaking as the psychologist, Carolyn Fern. Solve supernatural mysteries as the private investigator, Joe Diamond. Throw money at your problems as the millionaire, preston Fairmont. Prevent terrible rituals as the redeemed cultist, Diana Stanley. Stay ahead of trouble or run headlong into it as the athlete, Rita Young. Or, tap into a mystical bloodline as the entertainer, Marie Lambeau. The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion can be used to build or enhance investigator decks for any Arkham Horror: The Card Game scenario or campaign.
    OCCULT MYSTERIES: Unearth arcane secrets buried with the dead in the grim town of Arkham with six unique investigators.
    FULL CUSTOMIZATION: This expansion contains all the player cards and customization options from the original The Circle Undone cycle.
    MIND OVER MATTER: Keep allies’ minds intact as Carolyn Fern, the psychologist, in your quest to thwart sinister forces.
    SOLVE SUPERNATURAL MYSTERIES: Take on the role of Joe Diamond, the private investigator, and uncover the truth hidden in the shadows.
    VARIED APPROACHES: Embrace diverse playstyles with millionaire Preston Fairmont, redeemed cultist Diana Stanley, athlete Rita Young, and entertainer Marie Lambeau.


    by Fantasy Flight Games

    Are you ready to delve into the dark and mysterious world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game? The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion is here to help you embrace the occult secrets of Arkham and uncover the truth behind the sinister forces at play.

    In this cooperative Living Card Game (LCG), players take on the roles of investigators exploring the dark and twisted streets of Arkham, Massachusetts. With a deck of cards representing their skills, items, and allies, players must work together to solve mysteries, defeat monsters, and unravel the secrets of the ancient and malevolent forces that threaten the town.

    The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion introduces four new investigators to the game, each with their own unique abilities and strengths. From the psychic medium to the exorcist, these investigators bring new strategies and tactics to the table, allowing players to customize their decks and playstyles to suit their preferences.

    With a playtime of 1-2 hours and support for 1-4 players, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is the perfect game for fans of Lovecraftian horror, cooperative gameplay, and immersive storytelling. So gather your friends, embrace the occult, and prepare to face the darkness in Arkham Horror: The Card Game – The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion.
    #Fantasy #Flight #Games #Arkham #Horror #Card #Game #Circle #Undone #Investigator #Expansion #Embrace #Occult #Secrets #Arkham #Cooperative #LCG #Ages #Players #Hour #Playtime,dark circles

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