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ESPN’s fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night’s games. Here you’ll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
What you need to know for Tuesday’s games
The Charlotte Hornets enter Tuesday night’s play-in tournament matchup against the Miami Heat playing at a high level, going 18-9 after the All-Star break and finishing the regular season with a 44-38 record. Charlotte surged into the No. 9 seed behind strong play from LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and rookie Kon Knueppel, ranking second in net rating during that stretch. With a win-or-go-home scenario at home, the Hornets will look to carry that momentum into a pivotal postseason opportunity.
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The Heat, meanwhile, limp into the play-in despite flashes of offensive firepower. Miami averaged 121 points per game this season but went just 5-10 over its last 15 games, ranking 20th in net rating during that span . While Erik Spoelstra’s group has experience navigating the play-in, inconsistency on both ends has been a concern down the stretch.
This matchup carries added intrigue as a clash between momentum and experience. Charlotte’s late-season surge contrasts with Miami’s recent struggles, though the Heat won the season series 3-1. Ultimately, this game could come down to execution, with the Hornets looking to capitalize at home while Miami leans on its postseason pedigree.
Here’s a look at the betting angles and DFS plays of interest for Tuesday’s slate.
Moody’s Bets for Tuesday
Kon Knueppel to score 20+ points (-114): This is a strong matchup for Knueppel, as the Heat have allowed the fourth-most points per game to shooting guards over the last 15 games. He’s scored at least 22 points in three games against Miami this season. You should also consider Knueppel’s 25+ points line at +238 for those looking for plus-money value. The Heat have also struggled recently defending catch-and-shoot opportunities, further boosting his outlook.
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Charlotte Hornets -5.5 (-118): The Hornets are playing at a high level, covering in five of their last six games and finishing with the best record against the spread in the league. They’ve been especially dominant at home, going 14-7 ATS as favorites with a +11.2 scoring margin. Meanwhile, Miami’s defense has slipped late, allowing 117+ points in six straight games and ranking near the bottom of the league in defensive rating over the last 15. While the Heat play at a fast tempo, their offense has been inconsistent, making it difficult to trust them against a Hornets team that has been top-five in net rating over the past three months.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ Salaries
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Deni Avdija, PG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers ($9,000): Avdija has set career highs across multiple statistical categories during the regular seas, including a 31% usage rate, and should continue to play a massive role in the Trail Blazers’ offense. He has averaged 47.1 fantasy points per game over his last eight outings. While the Suns have done a very good job defending small forwards over the last 15 games, that shouldn’t deter you from targeting Avdija in lineups. He’s also a capable scorer and facilitator who thrives in transition, further boosting his overall fantasy upside.
LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets ($8,500): Ball’s fantasy production has been up and down this season, but the Hornets have played well, especially post-All-Star break. He has scored at least 52 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Over the last 15 games, the Miami Heat rank 28th in defensive rating and are tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for sixth in pace. The last time Ball faced Miami on March 17, he finished with 60 fantasy points.
$6,100-$8,000 Salaries
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers ($7,200): The second-year pro has emerged as one of the more consistent centers in the Western Conference. With this being a play-in game, Clingan could see extended run, potentially exceeding 30 minutes. He has scored at least 39 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Clingan’s production is driven by points, rebounds, and blocks, with some added assist upside. He also scored 54.2 fantasy points against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 22.
Kon Knueppel, SG, Charlotte Hornets ($6,300): Knueppel has cooled off recently but has still scored at least 26 fantasy points in three of his last five games. The Heat have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last 15 games. Knueppel has also scored at least 34 fantasy points in each of his two matchups against Miami in March.
$3,500-$6,000 Salaries
Norman Powell, Miami Heat ($5,100): Powell is still working his way back into the Heat’s rotation after a groin injury, and his minutes have fluctuated. However, since it’s the play-in tournament, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play as many minutes as he can handle. Powell has averaged 32 fantasy points per game this season, and in 32 games with at least 30 minutes, he’s produced 23.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.9 APG and 1.3 SPG. Given his upside, he’s a nice value at this salary.
