Welcome into the Fantasy Bikes Podcast. Tyler Caron here with you to kick off our first weekend with no football going all the way back to the middle of August. Now, no disrespect to the Pro Bowl. It's a great event, but that one's for the kids. It doesn't exactly scratch the itch of us sports fans. We have plenty of NBA and college hoops to comb through today, so let's get into it. Six NBA games on tap for today. I'll start with a quick injury roll call before diving into some storylines to follow. We start at Madison Square Garden. We have the Lakers and the Knicks. Starting with Los Angeles, they may be without their two all-stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis once again.
AD is at risk of missing his third straight game with an Achilles and some hip spasms that have popped up recently. It's unclear what exactly caused these injuries. It wasn't one player incident in particular, so most likely it's just from the wear and tear of an NBA season. As for LeBron, he's working through an ankle injury. The Lakers were able to take down their rival in the Celtics on Thursday night in Boston without the duo, so maybe they can carry that momentum to take out the hottest team in the league in the New York Knicks. They're winners of nine straight by far and away the longest active streak in the league. These Knicks have been rolling, but they are a little short here today.
Ojan Inobi has been deemed questionable after missing his last three games with a right elbow inflammation. That's in his shooting elbow, so you definitely want to manage that carefully. If he is out, he wouldn't be alone as far as backcourt scratches. Quentin Grimes set to miss his second straight with a right knee sprain. The Knicks are four and a half point favorites here at home at 830.
76ers are four and a half point home favorites against the drifting Brooklyn Nets. No Joel Embiid, of course, for Philly, but their first time all-star Tyrese Maxey showed exactly why he deserves the all-star title in their last outing, a 50 piece in the absence of their most likely MVP to break a four game losing skid and get the win against Utah. This will be the first home game for Philly since a five game trip out West and seven of their last eight being out on the road. So they're looking to make up some ground over this four game homestand. Derek Lively, he's looking doubtful for Dallas as they host the Milwaukee Bucks. Lively caught a forearm from Wendell Carter Jr. on Monday night in Dallas against the Magic. Has not played since despite finishing out that game. Not great news when you're going up against a guy like Giannis, but in some slightly better news, Kyrie Irving has been upgraded from out to doubtful. Rhea's missed five consecutive games now with a thumb strain. The Mavs and Bucks, they tip it off at 8.30. Dallas, four and a half point home dogs. Other games tonight, you have the Warriors in Atlanta taking on the Hawks at 7.30. The Kings in Chicago against the Bulls at 8.00. And the Cavs in San Antonio to take on the Spurs at 8.30.
Nothing of major significance to note as far as injuries go in this game, at least not from what we know with San Antonio not submitting their injury report yet, but figured I'd briefly fill you in on a little nugget around the number one pick, Victor Weminyama. Through his first 42 games this season, he has more steals and blocks than what Rudy Gobert did in his first 42 games in his 2018 run to Defensive Player of the Year, and Wemby is playing under 30 minutes a night. I'll just let that sink in as you venture on with this Saturday. One last note in the NBA before we talk some college hoops. The Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones suffered a right ankle sprain last night against the Heat. Jones has been thrown all around the trade block leading up to Thursday's trade deadline, and reports indicate that Washington could ship him off for just multiple second-round picks, so we'll see how that progresses and if the injury puts a wrench in any plans. Okay, a day full of college hoops, three top-ten matchups, four total ranked games on the day, a quick rundown on each. We only have about a minute to do it.
It begins at noon with just a good slate of college basketball, but really things get going at 4 o'clock. The number one defense in the country and number four Houston in Lawrence taking on number eight Kansas. The Cougars dropped two of their first three league games in their inaugural season in the Big 12, but since then they've been winners of their last five. It's the first meeting of these two teams since 2001, and the first time Houston has gone to Lawrence to take on the Jayhawks since 1986. Long story short, Houston one and a half point favorites is my play.
Feels like you're playing five on eight when facing the defensive wave of the Cougs. There'll be a little too much for Kansas, who has wavered this season. They haven't lost yet at home in the Big 12, but there is a first for everything. Houston picks up the road win. That's going to be good for my official pick of the day. If you want to tell me, use the Cesar Sports at promo code ROTO15. Earn a first-time bet offer up to $1,500. Again, it's promo code ROTO15. The Tobacco Road Rivalry in North Carolina. College basketball's fiercest rivalry. Number seven Duke at number three UNC for the first time this season. They're in Chapel Hill. This will be the two teams' 261st all-time meeting.
Duke is looking for their first three-game winning streak in Chapel Hill since they did it in 1999 to 2002. They ended up winning four straight over that span. All in all, I think Duke covers the four and a half points right here. This one comes down to the wire. I think the heels come out on top at home. Duke makes it close. In the Big 12, number 12, Iowa State at number 18, Baylor, one of the top defenses in the country against the Cyclones against one of the best offenses in the Bears. We saw a similar matchup for Baylor in Orlando at UCF earlier this week where the Bears prevailed. They do that again in front of their home crowd in Waco, Baylor, minus three and a half. Lastly, in the SEC, number five, Tennessee versus number 10, Kentucky.
Under 159.5 is the player. The defense of the Vols slowed down Kentucky's nearly 90 points per game this season. Under 159.5. Folks, that's our time today for everything fantasy sports. Get yourself a free trial over at rotowire.com. There's no commitment and no credit card needed. Again, that's rotowire.com.