Fantasy managers and sports bettors face a full docket on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, with 18 NBA teams taking the floor in nine games. Only two contests carry double-digit point spreads, suggesting that most matchups should remain competitive and, therefore, fantasy-friendly.
Key One-Day Adds
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Orlando Magic — 31.4% rostered: The former No. 6 overall pick has stepped up while Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner recover from injuries. With Denver ranking 21st in defensive rating over its past 10 outings, Black’s recent scoring and playmaking surge sets him up for another productive night.
Collin Gillespie, PG, Phoenix Suns — 45.8%: Fresh off 17 assists across his last two appearances, the high-energy guard draws a New Orleans backcourt that has struggled to contain dribble penetration.
Tyler Kolek, PG, New York Knicks — 5.7%: Kolek’s blend of distribution and opportunistic scoring has solidified his role. Atlanta owns the league’s 27th-ranked defensive rating since Trae Young returned.
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls — 53.8%: Minutes have fluctuated, yet Buzelis continues to post strong block numbers and highlight-reel athletic plays. A matchup with Milwaukee’s frontcourt appears favorable.
Highlighted Wagers
Knicks at Hawks OVER 241.5: Atlanta is yielding 122.2 points per 100 possessions over the last 10 games, while New York owns the NBA’s No. 3 offensive rating in the same span.
Kevin Porter Jr. OVER 34.5 P+R+A: Porter has cleared this mark in three of four contests while shouldering Milwaukee’s offense during Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence. Chicago ranks 24th in defensive efficiency over the past 10 games.
Wendell Carter Jr. OVER 20.5 P+R: Carter nearly averaged a point per minute in his previous meeting with Denver and remains central to Orlando’s attack inside and out.
Daily Fantasy Values
$9,300 — Jalen Brunson, PG, Knicks: Brunson faces a porous Hawks defense and should benefit from added possessions on the glass.
$6,700 — Derik Queen, C, Pelicans: The rookie’s passing touch from the post could exploit Phoenix’s interior.
$6,000 — Kel’el Ware, C, Heat: If Bam Adebayo’s back issue sidelines him, Ware could anchor Miami’s frontcourt. Even beside Adebayo, Ware has beaten salary expectations.
$4,300 — Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF, Nuggets: With Cameron Johnson still out, Hardaway provides perimeter scoring and spacing for Denver.
Saturday Betting Lines, Projections and Injury Reports
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings — 5 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Line: DAL –3.5 (–105) | SAC +3.5 (–115)
Money line: DAL –155 | SAC +130
Total: 233.5 (–105 O, –115 U)
ESPN BPI: Mavericks by 1.8 (55%), projected total 234.8
Injuries: DAL — Kyrie Irving (OUT, knee); Brandon Williams (GTD, calf). SAC — Keegan Murray, Drew Eubanks, Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine (all OUT); Devin Carter (GTD, ankle).
Denver Nuggets at Orlando Magic — 7 p.m. ET
Line: DEN –4.5 (–115) | ORL +4.5 (–105)
Money line: DEN –198 | ORL +164
Total: 234.5 (–110 O/U)
ESPN BPI: Nuggets by 2.8 (58%), projected total 238.1
Injuries: DEN — Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Tamar Bates (all OUT). ORL — Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Goga Bitadze, Moritz Wagner (all GTD); Colin Castleton (GTD).
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans — 7 p.m. ET
Line: PHX –4.5 (–110) | NOP +4.5 (–110)
Money line: PHX –198 | NOP +164
Total: 239.5 (–110 O/U)
ESPN BPI: Suns by 2.0 (56%), projected total 236.5
Injuries: PHX — Jalen Green (OUT, hamstring); Koby Brea (GTD, concussion); Grayson Allen (GTD, knee). NOP — Dejounte Murray (OUT, Achilles); Herbert Jones (GTD, ankle).
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks — 8 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Line: NYK –5.5 (–118) | ATL +5.5 (–102)
Money line: NYK –225 | ATL +185
Total: 242.5 (–115 O, –105 U)
ESPN BPI: Knicks by 5.8 (66%), projected total 240.4
Injuries: NYK — Landry Shamet (OUT, shoulder); Miles McBride (GTD, ankle); Josh Hart (OUT, ankle). ATL — N’Faly Dante (OFS, knee); Kristaps Porzingis (OUT, illness).
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat — 8 p.m. ET
Line: IND +7.5 (–115) | MIA –7.5 (–105)
Money line: IND +230 | MIA –285
Total: 229.5 (–108 O, –112 U)
ESPN BPI: Heat by 9.3 (75%), projected total 234.6
Injuries: IND — Obi Toppin (OUT, foot); Tyrese Haliburton (OFS, Achilles); Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard (both GTD); Isaiah Jackson (GTD). MIA — Terry Rozier (OUT, personal); Bam Adebayo (GTD, back); Tyler Herro (GTD, toe).
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls — 8 p.m. ET
Line: MIL +2.5 (–118) | CHI –2.5 (–102)
Money line: MIL +110 | CHI –130
Total: 232.5 (–115 O, –105 U)
ESPN BPI: Bulls by 1.4 (54%), projected total 238.1
Injuries: MIL — Taurean Prince (OUT, neck); Gary Trent Jr. (GTD, calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo (GTD, calf). CHI — Noa Essengue (OFS, shoulder).
Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets — 8 p.m. ET
Line: CLE +3.5 (–105) | HOU –3.5 (–115)
Money line: CLE +145 | HOU –175
Total: 233.5 (–115 O, –105 U)
ESPN BPI: Rockets by 4.5 (62%), projected total 238.8
Injuries: CLE — Larry Nance Jr. (OUT, calf); Max Strus (OUT, foot). HOU — Fred VanVleet (OUT, knee); Alperen Sengun (GTD, calf).
Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves — 8 p.m. ET
Line: BKN +12.5 (–115) | MIN –12.5 (–105)
Money line: BKN +470 | MIN –650
Total: 223.5 (–115 O, –105 U)
ESPN BPI: Timberwolves by 9.5 (75%), projected total 224.8
Injuries: BKN — Haywood Highsmith (OUT, knee). MIN — Anthony Edwards (GTD, shoulder); Terrence Shannon Jr. (OUT, foot).
Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs — 8 p.m. ET
Line: UTA +15.5 (–115) | SAS –15.5 (–105)
Money line: UTA +650 | SAS –1000
Total: 241.5 (–110 O/U)
ESPN BPI: Spurs by 16.2 (90%), projected total 247.1
Injuries: UTA — Walker Kessler (OFS, shoulder); Ace Bailey (GTD, hip); Georges Niang (OUT, foot). SAS — De’Aaron Fox (GTD, thigh).
With competitive spreads, elevated point totals and several high-usage players stepping into larger roles because of injuries, Saturday’s schedule offers an expansive menu for fantasy streaming, DFS lineup construction and prop wagering.
Source: ESPN
