Fantasy basketball tips and NBA betting picks for Friday

ESPN's fantasy basketball and basketball betting tips cheat sheet is your pregame destination for basketball betting predictions and our best intel and data, featuring ESPN's proprietary Basketball Power Index (BPI) to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds for Friday, March 17 are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.

Act quickly to acquire «Slow Mo.» Otherwise known as Kyle Anderson of the Minnesota Timberwolves, this playmaking two-way forward is the modest-added player in ESPN leagues over the past week. Even given his recent surge in popularity, Anderson is a free agent in two-thirds of leagues despite slashing for 14.7 points, 10.3 assists, and 8.0 rebounds over the past week. He's in a nice spot against the Chicago Bulls tonight.

With Luka Doncic and LeBron James due to miss Friday's matchup that bears pivotal playoff implications, fantasy managers must find worthy wings from the waiver. Anderson or even Jonathan Kuminga, who is set to start and play a big role given Draymond Green's one-game suspension, qualify. For those in need of help on the glass, Kevon Looney's rebounding production helps his case for prop plays and streaming interest.

It's an important time of the season to be proactive with fantasy rosters. As our experts explain below, adding the likes of Jeremy Sochan or Trey Murphy III ahead of tonight's eight-game slate could prove rewarding deep into the fantasy playoffs.

-Jim McCormick

Records (Against the Spread) 76ers: 46-22 (38-29-1) Hornets: 22-49 (31-38-2)

Line: 76ers (-10.5)BPI Projection: 76ers: 131.9-120.7Money Line: 76ers (-550), Hornets (+400)BPI Projected winner: 76ers (84.9%)Total: 227.5 BPI Projected Total: 252.6