• Tonight’s slate features three intriguing matchups: Raptors vs. Cavaliers at 7:00 ET, Pacers vs. Suns at 9:00 ET and Hawks vs. Jazz at 9:00 ET, with multiple back-to-backs and storylines that could shake up fantasy rotations.

    Teams playing on the second night of a back-to-back, including Cleveland, Phoenix and Atlanta, are worth monitoring closely for rest and minutes adjustments. Meanwhile, injuries and emerging bench roles create valuable streaming opportunities in both standard and deep leagues.

    Even with a short slate, let’s take a look at where you can gain a Fantasy Basketball advantage tonight.

    Top Pickups

    This is the “general must-add” section regardless of the slate. If these players are being overlooked and remain chilling on the waiver wire, consider adding them to your squad.

    Derik Queen (17%)

    Derik Queen has forced his way into fantasy relevance and while there’s some risk baked into his profile, he’s absolutely worth a roster spot right now. With Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole sidelined and Missi ejected, Queen took full advantage, posting 26 points on 12-of-18 shooting with seven boards and four assists in 38 minutes. That’s not a fluke box score, that’s opportunity meeting production. Even if the 67% shooting won’t hold and his defense still needs plenty of work, the fact that New Orleans is giving him extended run off the bench, even closing games, signals a potential changing of the guard.

    Yes, there are mirages here. Queen isn’t a shooter, his percentages could crater and savvy opponents might start scheming him off the floor. But you can’t ignore volume and minutes on a team that may be headed toward a soft rebuild, despite no draft pick incentive.

    Queen brings a rare fantasy mix: scoring, rebounding and passing upside from the center spot. The smart move: pick him up now, ride the wave, and reassess later. In fantasy, you chase opportunity and Queen’s got it in spades.

    Brandon Williams (17%)

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