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.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Thursday's games
There are 10 games on Thursday's NBA slate following a lengthy hiatus from the All-Star break, but there are just seven on the DFS slate.
The New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons matchup is the one I'm most looking forward to tonight. New York has momentum after dismantling the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the break, but this is a measuring-stick game against the top team in the Eastern Conference and a chance to erase the memory of two lopsided losses earlier this season.
Jalen Brunson will set the tone as always, especially against a Pistons defense that is one of the best in the league. He'll have to work for everything, but that's when Brunson's at his best. If he controls tempo and gets to his spots, the Knicks can dictate the game instead of chasing it.
I'm also intrigued by the frontcourt battle. With Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart suspended, Karl-Anthony Towns has a real opportunity to impose his will inside and stretch the floor. On paper, this sets up as a spot where the Knicks should take advantage of the Pistons' depleted interior.
Add in Mikal Bridges likely drawing the Cade Cunningham assignment, and this game has all the elements of a playoff-type atmosphere. At home -- with pride on the line -- this feels like a night to send a message.
As always, let's dig deeper into these and the other storylines on display to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this Thursday slate.
Thursday's fantasy stream team
Nolan Traore, PG, Brooklyn Nets (rostered in 10.8% of ESPN leagues): Traore is now in the Nets' starting lineup and has performed well heading into the break, posting at least 31 fantasy points in four consecutive games. He's logged at least 32 minutes in three of those contests and contributes across multiple statistical categories, making him an ideal streaming option. At $4,600, Traore's also a strong DFS value.
Moody's favorite bets for Thursday
Jarace Walker OVER 16.5 points (-122)
The Pacers are building for the future, which has led to an expanded role for Walker. With Ivica Zubac and Pascal Siakam ruled out, T.J. McConnell questionable and Johnny Furphy out for the season, there should be plenty of opportunity. Walker has cleared this line in three of his last five games when playing at least 28 minutes, averaging 13.4 field-goal attempts over that stretch. He also draws an excellent matchup against a Wizards team that ranks top-five in points per game allowed to power forwards. I'd also consider 20-plus points (+158).
Jalen Brunson UNDER 32.5 points and assists (-107)
Brunson has gone under this line in seven of his last 10 games. He also posted a 38.4% usage rate in the Knicks' last two games against the Pistons, both of which were blowout losses. Coming out of the break, New York is healthier with OG Anunoby expected to return, and I expect a more balanced offensive approach as they look for retribution. Brunson has also gone under this number in eight of his last 10 games when Towns and Anunoby are both in the lineup.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks ($10,400)
Johnson is in the midst of a transcendent season. He contributes in nearly every statistical category and sits one game behind Towns for the most double-doubles this season and one game behind Nikola Jokic for the most triple-doubles. The 76ers have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 30 games, and this should be a fast-paced matchup with Philadelphia without Joel Embiid.
Tyrese Maxey, PG, 76ers ($9,600)
Maxey's usage should spike with Embiid and Paul George out Thursday. He's averaging 48.7 fantasy points per game this season and draws a Hawks team that ranks sixth in pace and has allowed the second most fantasy points to point guards over the last 15 games.
Scottie Barnes, PF, Toronto Raptors ($9,100)
Barnes has made an impact on both ends of the floor all season, positioning him as an excellent DFS option. He's averaging 42.7 fantasy points per game and faces a Bulls defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 30 games.
Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns ($8,300)
Booker has played well in two games against the Spurs this season, scoring at least 40 fantasy points in each matchup. He owns a 32.4% usage rate this season and should continue to find success against a Spurs team that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last 15 games.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks ($8,000)
The Pistons have been formidable this season, leading the league in defensive rating and allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to centers. Towns isn't an ordinary center because he combines elite three-point shooting with traditional post scoring and rebounding, giving him the skill set of a guard in a seven-footer's body. Towns should have a better outing Thursday than he did against the Pistons on Jan. 5, when he scored just 6.2 fantasy points in 22 minutes during a blowout loss.
Immanuel Quickley, PG, Raptors ($7,200)
Quickley remains a reliable contributor for the Raptors. He's scored at least 30 fantasy points in six consecutive games, including one performance of 45. Quickley also logged at least 31 minutes in five of those six contests. The Bulls have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to point guards over the last 15 games, making this another favorable spot for Quickley.
Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers ($7,100)
Allen has scored at least 30 fantasy points in six straight games, including three performances of 40 or more. The Nets haven't been strong defensively this season and rank 29th in defensive rating over the last 15 games. Allen is well positioned for another solid outing, though the Cavaliers being heavy favorites could limit his minutes if the game gets out of hand. At $7,100, he's a strong value.
Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Houston Rockets ($6,600)
Smith has posted three consecutive double-doubles, resulting in three straight games with at least 32 fantasy points. The Hornets have tightened up defensively in recent weeks, but they've still allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 30 games. Smith is a solid value option for Thursday's slate.
Matas Buzelis, PF, Chicago Bulls ($6,500)
Buzelis has stepped up for the Bulls with Josh Giddey sidelined over the last eight games due to a hamstring injury, and he should remain a key part of Chicago's rotation following the trades of Nikola Vucevic and Coby White. He's scored at least 32 fantasy points in five straight games. He draws a favorable matchup against a Raptors team that has been a middle-of-the-road defensive unit for most of the season.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Jarace Walker, SF/PF, Indiana Pacers ($5,900)
The Pacers have their eyes on the future, and Walker is one of the young pieces benefiting from expanded opportunities. He's scored at least 31 fantasy points in three of his last four games and played 30 or more minutes in three of them. He now faces a Wizards team that has struggled defensively all season, making this another excellent spot for continued production. Walker should also be on your streaming radar, as he's rostered in just 11.1% of leagues.
Jay Huff, PF/C, Indiana Pacers ($5,200)
Huff is highly productive when he receives solid minutes. He's scored at least 27 fantasy points in each of his last three games playing 30 or more minutes. The Wizards have allowed the most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 30 games and have ranked top 10 in pace all season. Huff is also a viable streamer, as he's rostered in just 12.8% of leagues.
Collin Sexton, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls ($5,200)
Sexton is finding his rhythm with the Bulls following his trade from the Hornets. He's scored at least 23 fantasy points and logged 29 or more minutes in three straight games. Most of his fantasy value comes from scoring, but he should remain heavily involved in the rotation regardless of Giddey's status.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Houston Rockets at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -4.5 (-110) | Hornets +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Rockets -192 | Hornets +160
Total: 216.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 2.2, straight up 57%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS - Ankle)
Hornets: Coby White, (OUT - Calf); Liam McNeeley, (OUT - Ankle); Miles Bridges, (OUT - Suspension); Moussa Diabate, (OUT - Suspension)
Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +16.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -16.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets +700 | Cavaliers -1100
Total: 229.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 14.3, straight up 85%, 228.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Nic Claxton, (OUT - Ankle)
Cavaliers: Nae'Qwan Tomlin, (OUT - Calf); Max Strus, (OUT - Foot)
Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +1.5 (-120) | 76ers -1.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Hawks +EVEN | 76ers -120
Total: 237.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 0.4, straight up 51%, 241.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga, (OUT - Knee)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee); Paul George, (OUT - Suspension)
Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers -2.5 (-105) | Wizards +2.5 (-115)
Money line: Pacers -130 | Wizards +110
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 6.5, straight up 69%, 234.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS - Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD - Back); Micah Potter, (GTD - Ankle); T.J. McConnell, (GTD - Hamstring); Pascal Siakam, (OUT - Personal); Ivica Zubac, (OUT - Ankle); Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (OUT - Hamstring); D'Angelo Russell, (OUT - Not Injury Related); Trae Young, (OUT - Knee); Anthony Davis, (OFS - Finger); Cam Whitmore, (OFS - Shoulder)
Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Pistons +4.5 (-115) | Knicks -4.5 (-105)
Money line: Pistons +150 | Knicks -180
Total: 222.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 2.3, straight up 57%, 229.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Jalen Duren, (OUT - Suspension); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Suspension)
Knicks: OG Anunoby, (GTD - Toe); Miles McBride, (OUT - Pelvis)
Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors -5.5 (-118) | Bulls +5.5 (-102)
Money line: Raptors -218 | Bulls +180
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 3, straight up 59%, 234.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles, (GTD - Thumb); Sandro Mamukelashvili, (GTD - Ribs); Chucky Hepburn, (OUT - Knee)
Bulls: Jalen Smith, (GTD - Calf); Josh Giddey, (GTD - Hamstring); Tre Jones, (GTD - Hamstring); Zach Collins, (OUT - Toe); Noa Essengue, (OFS - Shoulder)
Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +7.5 (-110) | Spurs -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Suns +235 | Spurs -290
Total: 229.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 6.1, straight up 68%, 228.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Cole Anthony, (OUT - Not Injury Related); Dillon Brooks, (OUT - Suspension)
Spurs: Lindy Waters III, (OUT - Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS - Ankle)
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Celtics -5.5 (-112) | Warriors +5.5 (-108)
Money line: Celtics -205 | Warriors +170
Total: 211.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 3.8, straight up 61%, 224.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles)
Warriors: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Achilles); Will Richard, (GTD - Knee); Stephen Curry, (OUT - Knee); Seth Curry, (OUT - Back); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS - Knee)
Orlando Magic at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -8.5 (-112) | Kings +8.5 (-108)
Money line: Magic -380 | Kings +300
Total: 223.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 6.4, straight up 68%, 230.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Colin Castleton, (GTD - Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle)
Kings: De'Andre Hunter, (OUT - Eye); Dylan Cardwell, (OUT - Ankle); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS - Knee); Zach LaVine, (OFS - Hand)
Denver Nuggets at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -4.5 (-108) | Clippers +4.5 (-112)
Money line: Nuggets -175 | Clippers +145
Total: 226.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 0.7, straight up 52%, 232.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Jalen Pickett, (GTD - Knee); Aaron Gordon, (OUT - Hamstring); Peyton Watson, (OUT - Hamstring); Tamar Bates, (OUT - Foot)
Clippers: Darius Garland, (OUT - Toe); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip)