Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Saturday - ESPN

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  Jim McCormick, Special to ESPN.comMar 30, 2024, 10:43 AM ET

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  Jim McCormick is a fantasy football and fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com.

On this final Saturday in March, the NBA runs out three games as the league shares the stage with men's and women's collegiate hoops. The good news is this is the smallest remaining slate of the regular season. It's also positive that among the six rosters in action today, we find a number of actionable and wildly available streaming candidates to consider for fantasy rosters.

For instance, the New Orleans Pelicans won't have Brandon Ingram in the lineup for today's tilt with the Boston Celtics. This means more usage and fantasy upside for two-way wings Trey Murphy III (42.6%) and Herbert Jones (40.4%). Even the absence of backup point guard Jose Alvarado propels increased value for this 3-and-D duo, as they combined for nine dimes in the team's last game. More on Jones and his unique defensive exploits below.

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The second game of the day features the largest spread, with the Orlando Magic positioned as double-digit home favorites over the depleted Memphis Grizzlies. The team from Tennessee have ruled out Desmond Bane, Ja Morant, Vince Williams Jr., and Marcus Smart in addition to a doubtful tag for Santi Aldama, all of which vaults two young Memphis forwards -- GG Jackson and Jake LaRavia -- to the the stream team.

The final game of the night also includes some impact injury news, as Damian Lillard won't be in the lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks as they visit the Atlanta Hawks. With Lillard off the court this season, Khris Middleton sees a massive team-high leap in usage of nearly 9%, signaling potential as a strong target in prop markets.

For Atlanta, we already know Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu, and Saddiq Bey are sidelined, while Dejounte Murray just consumed a prime Kobe-like shot diet in an upset of the Celtics. Shares of De'Andre Hunter (20.1%) still appear appealing ahead of Saturday night's tip.

Saturday's stream team

Herbert Jones, SF/PF, Pelicans (rostered in 40.4% of ESPN leagues): With at four steals in two of his past three outings and a whopping seven combined steals and blocks in a recent win over the Bucks, Jones' defensive prowess is worthy of All-Defensive first-team honors. With the aforementioned bump in offensive opportunities, Jones presents a true two-way profile worthy of attention in all formats ahead of today's matchup with the Celtics. Teammate Murphy is the better shooting and scoring option, but it's just as likely that Jones delivers the better overall line in category-driven leagues.

De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Hawks (20.1%): Stellar recent performances against the Celtics offers strong precedent that this guy is on the rise. Even as Jalen Johnson could play tonight, the team still needs Hunter's perimeter scoring, physical rebounding, and wing defense in a matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Middleton. The minutes and shots will be there for Hunter to deliver another nice outing.

GG Jackson, PF, Grizzlies (11.9%): Battling with LeBron James this week offered a glimpse of the youngest player in the league facing the oldest. Despite his youth, Jackson has veteran-like confidence when it comes to getting buckets. The peripherals aren't always there, but with a depleted Memphis rotation, usage and shot diet should be healthy for Jackson this evening.

Jake LaRavia, PF, Grizzlies (1.8%): Double-digit scoring in four of the past five and a brilliant line against the Lakers this past Wednesday offers some evidence that LaRavia is capable of delivering when called on. The Grizzlies are uniquely depleted today adding to the plug-and-play appeal for LaRavia against a talented Orlando frontcourt.

Malik Beasley, SG, Bucks (13.2%): A shooting specialist with at least 16 points in three of his last four outings, the volume from beyond could peak today given Lillard's absence.

Projections and Injury Reports

Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics.* Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.

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Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans
5 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans

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BPI Projection: Celtics in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaden Springer, (OUT - Knee); JD Davison, (OUT - Ankle)
Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, (GTD - Knee); Jose Alvarado, (OUT - Oblique); Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Knee)

Celtics projections:

• Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 44.6 FPTS (26.5 pts, 6.6 reb, 4.8 ast, 3.1 3PM)

• Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 37.2 FPTS (22.9 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Derrick White, PG/SG: 31.2 FPTS (13.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 28.1 FPTS (12.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.8 ast)

• Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 26.8 FPTS (15.1 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.4 blk)

• Al Horford, PF/C: 15.0 FPTS (4.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Payton Pritchard, PG: 14.8 FPTS (5.6 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.4 ast)

Pelicans projections:

• Zion Williamson, PF: 44.5 FPTS (27.0 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.3 ast)

• CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 44.4 FPTS (24.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.4 ast, 3.4 3PM)

• Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 30.5 FPTS (14.1 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 3.4 3PM)

• Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 30.0 FPTS (14.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.0 ast)

• Naji Marshall, SF: 22.0 FPTS (9.9 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Jonas Valanciunas, C: 20.4 FPTS (9.4 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.2 ast)

• Larry Nance Jr., PF/C: 18.7 FPTS (6.6 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.4 ast)

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Memphis Grizzlies at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando

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BPI Projection: Magic in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Grizzlies: John Konchar, (GTD - Heel); Santi Aldama, (GTD - Illness); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Back); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT - Personal); Derrick Rose, (OUT - Groin); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Ziaire Williams, (OUT - Hip); Ja Morant, (OUT - Shoulder)
Magic: Markelle Fultz, (GTD - Knee)

Grizzlies projections:

• Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 36.5 FPTS (24.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.0 3PM, 1.8 blk)

• Santi Aldama, PF/C: 28.4 FPTS (13.5 pts, 7.1 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• GG Jackson, PF: 24.9 FPTS (14.2 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Scotty Pippen Jr., PG: 20.5 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Luke Kennard, SG: 19.4 FPTS (8.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• John Konchar, SG/SF: 18.7 FPTS (5.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Jake LaRavia, PF: 17.7 FPTS (9.1 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.2 ast)

Magic projections:

• Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 37.9 FPTS (22.3 pts, 6.3 reb, 5.4 ast)

• Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF: 32.3 FPTS (17.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.4 ast)

• Cole Anthony, PG: 26.3 FPTS (13.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 24.0 FPTS (11.8 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Wendell Carter Jr., C: 22.7 FPTS (9.9 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.5 ast)

• Moritz Wagner, PF/C: 20.1 FPTS (9.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF: 17.8 FPTS (8.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 1.4 blk)

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Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, Atlanta

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BPI Projection: Hawks in the highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Hamstring); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD - Back); Patrick Beverley, (GTD - Wrist); Damian Lillard, (OUT - Personal)
Hawks: Jalen Johnson, (GTD - Ankle); AJ Griffin, (OUT - Ankle); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT - Toe); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT - Elbow); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT - Toe); Trae Young, (OUT - Finger); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)

Bucks projections:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 50.3 FPTS (29.3 pts, 10.9 reb, 5.8 ast)

• Khris Middleton, SF: 28.1 FPTS (13.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.2 ast)

• Bobby Portis, PF/C: 27.3 FPTS (14.3 pts, 7.9 reb, 1.0 ast)

• Malik Beasley, SG: 26.1 FPTS (13.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.3 ast, 3.0 3PM)

• Brook Lopez, C: 22.4 FPTS (11.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 blk)

• Patrick Beverley, PG: 15.1 FPTS (5.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Jae Crowder, SF/PF: 13.8 FPTS (6.2 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.2 ast)

Hawks projections:

• Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 50.2 FPTS (23.7 pts, 5.5 reb, 7.2 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 32.3 FPTS (16.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.2 ast, 3.1 3PM)

• De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 31.1 FPTS (19.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Clint Capela, C: 28.9 FPTS (13.6 pts, 11.0 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.5 blk)

• Bruno Fernando, C: 20.7 FPTS (9.8 pts, 7.5 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Vit Krejci, PG: 17.2 FPTS (7.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Garrison Mathews, SG/SF: 11.0 FPTS (4.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.0 ast)

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