Sunday’s slate offers three matchups to focus on when formulating fantasy and betting strategies. While Saturday’s 12 games were a bit overwhelming to analyze the details, Sunday offers a more accessible pool of players and props to consider.

The games begin in the early evening as the Toronto Raptors host the Houston Rockets in a matchup of two young squads going in different directions. The Rockets’ elite defense is a driving factor in this contest, as they have a relatively modest point total (224.5). However, there is one particular second-year Raptors floor spacer worth streaming, as you’ll read below.

The Sacramento Kings host the Indiana Pacers in a matchup with a solid total score of 236.5, 12 more than the game in Toronto. The Kings lost to the Lakers on Saturday, largely due to a poor offensive performance. With these franchises closely linked since the epic trade of Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Haliburton, Sunday features an entertaining matchup of teams with offensive advantages.

In the final, the New Orleans Pelicans host the Denver Nuggets in another game with a total of over 230 points (232.5). The Pelicans lost to the New York Knicks on Saturday, although we saw more production from the team’s two-way wing duo. Given the Pelicans’ small size, Nikola Jokic could break a few (more) records.

Let’s take a closer look at the players and matchups for Sunday’s action and find out some interesting aspects.

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Sunday’s Fantasy Stream Team

Trey Murphy III, SF/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (on roster in 53.2% of ESPN leagues)

With Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both out due to injuries, Murphy has emerged as the team’s leading scorer in recent games. While the team is comprised of talented backcourt players, it is Murphy’s volume shooting and growing skills on the wing that have led to positive results in the Pelicans’ offense. Even on the second night of a back-to-back game, Murphy is an ideal plug-and-play option against the Nuggets. Herbert Jones also deserves attention for those who need defense.

Gradey Dick, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (39.8%)

Gradey Dick is enjoying a hot streak from beyond the arc, even if the Raptors’ play has remained inconsistent overall. The Rockets are missing Tari Eason, which could mean a little more freedom for the Raptors shooting guard to find his shot. After all, it only needs a fraction of space and time to get going from the depths.

Obi Toppin, PF (15.7%) and Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG (7.4%), Indiana Pacers

With a limited roster, it makes sense to give Toppin a chance in your lineup. Finally, despite his special role, he was very productive; He flirted with double-double results and impressive defensive results in most games over the past two weeks. As for Nembhard, he was a productive combo guard last week and could have a lot to do against a fast and physical Sacramento backcourt.

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Best bets for Sunday

Odds according to ESPN BET

Tyrese Haliburton over 8.5 assists (-140)

Who doesn’t love a good revenge story? Although to be honest, this swap worked out so well for both parties that it might just be a nice reunion. Either way, Haliburton will pick up the pace. His assists suggest a somewhat normal matchup, although the total continues to rise as the decision gets closer. This suggests that betting on offense could pay off on Sunday evening.

Obi Toppin over 4.5 rebounds (-125)

An over against a player who doesn’t normally get much playing time can be an annoying experience, but Toppin has a low enough ground to make this game palatable. He has surpassed that total in seven of his last eight games and faces the Kings with just one elite rebounder (Sabonis). Expect Toppin to smash the boards from all angles, which could be an ideal setup for his skill set.

Herbert Jones over 1.5 steals and Trey Murphy III over 0.5 steals (+165)

This thieving duo claims elite steal rates, with Jones among the league’s best. Both should play well over 30 minutes in a game against the Denver wings, who aren’t proven slashers.

Alperen Sengun over 10.5 rebounds (-130)

Sengun ranks ninth in the NBA with 18.9 rebound chances per game as his role as an integral part of this up-and-coming Rockets team has proven productive. He’s in a great position to clear that record against a Toronto team that’s thin in the frontcourt behind Jakob Poeltl.

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Predictions and injury reports

Basketball Power Index from ESPN Analytics. Infringement aggregation from Rotowire.com. Odds according to ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in most ESPN leagues

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Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors
6pm ET

Line: Missiles -8.5 (-105) | Raptors 8.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -360 | Raptors +280
In total: 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI forecast: Up 5.6, straight up 68%, 224.3 total points.

Injury report:
Rockets: Tari Eason, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Raptors: Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Elbow); Davion Mitchell, (GTD – Shoulder); Bruce Brown, (OUT – Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – groin area)

Missile predictions:

• Alperen Sengun, C: 39.2 FPTS (19.4 points, 9.7 Reb, 5.4 Ast)

• Fred VanVleet, PG: 34.7 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.6 3pm)

• Jalen Green, SG: 31.4 FPTS (20.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.4 3pm)

• Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 24.3 FPTS (13.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.2 3pm)

• Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 23.9 FPTS (13.0 Points, 6.0 Reb, 1.7 Ast)

• Amen Thompson, SG/SF/PF: 21.5 FPTS (11.2 Points, 5.7 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

• Cam Whitmore, SF: 16.5 FPTS (10.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast)

Raptors predictions:

• Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF: 40.4 FPTS (20.2 pts, 7.5 reb, 6.7 ast, 1.8 3pm)

• RJ Barrett, SG/SF/PF: 38.1 FPTS (22.7 pts, 6.2 reb, 6.0 ast, 1.9 3pm)

• Gradey Dick, SG/SF: 24.7 FPTS (15.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.4 3pm)

• Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 19.9 FPTS (10.2 points, 3.4 Reb, 1.8 Ast)

• Jonathan Mogbo, PF: 18.1 FPTS (7.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Ja’Kobe Walter, SG: 16.1 FPTS (8.1 Points, 3.2 Reb, 1.7 Ast)

• Davion Mitchell, PG: 15.1 FPTS (6.8 Points, 1.5 Reb, 3.4 Ast)

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Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings
6pm ET

Line: Pacemaker 2.5 (-115) | Kings -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Pacemaker +110 | Kings -130
In total: 236.5 (-110E, -110U)
BPI forecast: Kings by 2.4, 58% direct increase, 237.9 total points.

Injury report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT – Achilles); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Oblique); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Ankle)
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT – Shoulder)

Pacers Predictions:

• Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 40.8 FPTS (19.4 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 7.6 Ast, 3.1 3PM)

• Pascal Siakam, PF: 38.5 FPTS (22.0 Points, 7.4 Reb, 3.6 Ast)

• Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 27.2 FPTS (17.2 points, 5.8 Reb, 2.2 Ast)

• Myles Turner, C: 26.2 FPTS (15.0 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 2.1 Ast, 1.7 Blk)

• Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 23.7 FPTS (11.8 points, 2.7 reb, 4.6 ast)

• TJ McConnell, PG: 20.9 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.1 reb, 3.4 ast)

• Obi Toppin, PF: 19.2 FPTS (9.5 Points, 3.8 Reb, 2.1 Ast)

Kings projections:

• De’Aaron Fox, PG: 44.7 FPTS (26.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.2 3pm)

• Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 43.7 FPTS (21.1 Points, 12.8 Reb, 6.4 Ast)

• DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 34.7 FPTS (20.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.2 ast)

• Malik Monk, SG/SF: 32.8 FPTS (17.1 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 5.2 Ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 24.5 FPTS (12.8 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 3pm)

• Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 16.5 FPTS (7.8 points, 2.7 Reb, 1.7 Ast)

• Keon Ellis, SG: 12.1 FPTS (5.3 Points, 1.7 Reb, 1.3 Ast)

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Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
7pm ET

Line: Nuggets -9.5 (-120) | Pelicans 9.5 (STRAIGHT)
Money line: Nuggets -450 | Pelicans +340
In total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI forecast: Nuggets up 6.5, 71% direct increase, 227.5 total points.

Injury report:
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – knee); DaRon Holmes II, (OUT – Achilles); Christian Braun, (GTD – back); Dario Saric, (GTD – Ankle)
Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, (OUT – Ankle); Daniel Theis, (GTD – not due to injury); Jose Alvarado, (GTD – Hamstring); Karlo Matkovic, (GTD – back); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Thigh)

Nuggets projections:

• Nikola Jokic, C: 58.4 FPTS (30.6 Pts, 11.4 Reb, 8.5 Ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Jamal Murray, PG: 42.2 FPTS (22.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.1 3pm)

• Michael Porter Jr., SF: 30.3 FPTS (16.6 pts, 5.9 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.2 3pm)

• Russell Westbrook, PG: 30.1 FPTS (14.2 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.2 ast)

• Aaron Gordon, PF: 24.8 FPTS (13.3 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.1 ast)

• Christian Braun, SG: 22.7 FPTS (12.8 points, 4.1 Reb, 1.8 Ast)

• Julian Strawther, SF: 16.2 FPTS (8.9 points, 2.0 Reb, 1.8 Ast)

Pelicans projections:

• Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 37.1 FPTS (17.9 Points, 5.9 Reb, 6.0 Ast)

• CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 32.7 FPTS (19.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.6 3pm)

• Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 29.3 FPTS (16.7 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 2.9 Ast, 3.0 3PM)

• Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 23.8 FPTS (11.5 points, 3.7 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Brandon Boston Jr., SG/SF: 19.2 FPTS (9.3 Points, 2.3 Reb, 2.6 Ast)

• Yves Missi, C: 18.4 FPTS (8.6 points, 8.0 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Antonio Reeves, SG: 14.6 FPTS (7.8 points, 2.0 Reb, 1.5 Ast)