Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Saturday - ESPN

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. Fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.

New this season, ESPN Analytics will also generate daily NBA fantasy projections. By combining historical player and team data and specific game factors ESPN is able to accurately predict player box score stats. Accounting for injuries, trends in playing time, and other factors impacting future performance the statistical models can be used to help NBA fantasy players gain an edge in their league.

We can tell the story of Friday's epic 11-game NBA slate via a few key names.

Cam Thomas put up 30 points for the Brooklyn Nets in a close loss in Dallas and is up to 33 PPG through two outings. Thomas is a free agent in more than half of ESPN men's basketball leagues. That should change.

While Jrue Holiday nearly notched a triple-double in his home debut for the Celtics, the fantasy spin is how well Derrick White has played in green this season while still a free agent in 30 percent of leagues.

The major fantasy story might just be Anfernee Simons' need for thumb surgery, a blow to this emergent scorer's ascent in the wake of the Damian Lillard deal. Malcolm Brogdon (rostered in 60% of leagues), who came to the Portland Trail Blazers in that Holiday swap, is now tasked with a larger role.

What names and scenarios from Saturday's seven-game schedule will define outcomes?

We begin in Phoenix, where the Suns host the Jazz in a game that includes Bradley Beal already ruled out with lingering back issues, while