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
The Los Angeles Lakers enter tonight's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder playing some of their best basketball of the season, winning 15 of their last 17 games and building serious momentum down the stretch. Led by MVP candidate Luka Doncic, Los Angeles has surged into the top tier of the Western Conference, with its offense firing at a high level and the team showing improved cohesion on both ends of the floor. With just six games remaining, this stretch serves as a key test of how legitimate the Lakers are as true contenders.
The Thunder, meanwhile, have been the standard in the West all season. At 60-16, Oklahoma City is not only the top seed but also the defending champions, combining elite defense with one of the most efficient offenses in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP level, leading a team that excels at attacking the paint and applying constant pressure on both ends. OKC has already defeated the Lakers twice this season and come into this matchup riding strong form of its own.
This matchup sets up as a true measuring stick for Los Angeles. The Lakers will look to continue their offensive rhythm and prove they can compete with the league's best, while the Thunder aim to reinforce their dominance and complete a season sweep. Ultimately, the game may come down to whether the Lakers can match Oklahoma City's physicality and defensive intensity or if the Thunder's consistency and star power once again prove too much to overcome.
Let's dig deeper into these and the other storylines to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on Thursday's six-game slate.
Thursday's fantasy stream team
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (rostered in 39.0% of ESPN leagues): Harper has been trending up at the right time for both managers and the Spurs as they chase the Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference. He has averaged 34.5 fantasy points per game over his last six contests. Harper is an excellent streaming option in both points and category leagues and is also a nice DFS value at $4,700.
Moussa Diabate, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets (31.9% rostered): Diabate has been a force in the paint for the Hornets, providing strong production in both points and rebounds. He has averaged 25.0 fantasy points per game over his last 10 contests. The Suns present a neutral matchup against centers, but Diabate should still be in a position to capitalize. He finished with just 20 fantasy points in his last meeting with Phoenix on March 8, though I expect a more productive outing Thursday night. Diabate also offers solid DFS value at $5,600.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Moody's favorite bets for Thursday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score 35+ points (+172): It's hard to see Gilgeous-Alexander not asserting his dominance in a matchup against a Lakers team led by Doncic and LeBron James. This is an important game for the Thunder, and a season sweep of Los Angeles would further quiet the idea that the Lakers are legitimate championship contenders in the West. SGA scored 30 points in their Nov. 12 matchup, a game Oklahoma City won by 29. This contest should be much closer, and when given extended run, Gilgeous-Alexander has consistently delivered, scoring at least 35 points in 10 of 14 games in which he has played 36 or more minutes.
Luka Doncic 50+ points, rebounds and assists (+113): This is a pivotal game not only for the Lakers, but for Doncic as he looks to strengthen his case for MVP. He has been sensational over his last 10 games, clearing 50 combined points, rebounds and assists in seven of them while averaging 38.2 minutes per contest. This season, Doncic has reached this mark in 18 of 27 games when playing at least 38 minutes. If the Lakers are going to win tonight, they'll likely need another elite performance from their superstar.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Victor Wembanyama, C, Spurs ($11,700): Even though the Clippers have done a good job limiting opposing centers this season, Wembanyama has had plenty of success against them. He has scored 51.2 and 54 fantasy points in two matchups against the Clippers this season. Wembanyama provides both a high floor and an elite ceiling. The Spurs-Clippers matchup has one of the higher totals on the slate, making Wemby worth paying up for.
Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers ($8,900): Avdija faces a New Orleans Pelicans defense that doesn't protect the rim well and has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards over the last 15 games. He has averaged 43.2 fantasy points per game this season and posted 65.2 the last time he faced the Pelicans on Jan. 2.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Donovan Clingan, C, Blazers ($8,000): The second-year center has been dominant in the paint for the Trail Blazers this season. Clingan has averaged 34.9 fantasy points per game and has posted multiple outings with over 50. The Pelicans present a favorable matchup, as New Orleans has struggled defensively all season and has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to centers.
Daniss Jenkins, PG, Detroit Pistons ($7,000): Jenkins has filled in admirably with Cade Cunningham sidelined, averaging 35.5 fantasy points per game over his last nine contests. Jenkins should continue to see strong usage against a Timberwolves defense that over the last 30 games has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to point guards. He's also a strong streaming option in season-long leagues, given his current role and that Jenkins is rostered in 41.2% of ESPN leagues.
Ayo Dosunmu, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves ($6,700): Dosunmu has dealt with a calf injury but has been superb over his last five games, averaging 45.7 fantasy points and 32.8 minutes per contest. He recorded a triple-double against the Dallas Mavericks on March 30. It's also worth noting that Anthony Edwards is questionable for Thursday's game against the Pistons due to a knee injury and could be held out for the front end of a back-to-back. Regardless, Dosunmu has carved out an important role in the Timberwolves' rotation and remains a strong value play, even against a Pistons team that ranks fifth in defensive rating over the last 15 games. He's also an excellent streaming option, as he's rostered in just 45.7% of ESPN leagues.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Toumani Camara, SG/SF, Trail Blazers ($5,600): Camara has scored at least 21 fantasy points in six consecutive games, including three with at least 32. He has averaged 30.3 minutes per game over that span. Much of his fantasy value comes from defensive stats, but he faces a Pelicans team that ranks 22nd in defensive rating this season in a game with the highest total on the slate. Camara provides a solid floor for DFS players, but his ceiling is even higher in this matchup against New Orleans.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +5.5 (-108) | Hornets -5.5 (-112)
Money line: Suns +180 | Hornets -218
Total: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 6.3, straight up 70%, 221.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Mark Williams, (GTD - Foot); Amir Coffey, (OUT - Ankle); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee)
Hornets: PJ Hall, (OUT - Ankle)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves +3.5 (-105) | Pistons -3.5 (-115)
Money line: Timberwolves +142 | Pistons -170
Total: 224.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 3.4, straight up 61%, 229.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Rocco Zikarsky, (GTD - Undisclosed); Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Knee); Jaden McDaniels, (OUT - Knee)
Pistons: Marcus Sasser, (GTD - Hip); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Calf); Cade Cunningham, (OUT - Chest)
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +9.5 (-118) | Thunder -9.5 (-102)
Money line: Lakers +295 | Thunder -375
Total: 231.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 7.5, straight up 73%, 229.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Marcus Smart, (OUT - Ankle)
Thunder: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Illness); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -10.5 (-105) | Warriors +10.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers -470 | Warriors +360
Total: 228.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 7.7, straight up 73%, 237.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (OUT - Ankle); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT - Toe)
Warriors: De'Anthony Melton, (GTD - Thumb); Gary Payton II, (GTD - Knee); Gui Santos, (GTD - Pelvis); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Illness); Quinten Post, (GTD - Foot); Stephen Curry, (GTD - Knee); Al Horford, (OUT - Calf); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS - Knee); Moses Moody, (OFS - Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +6.5 (-112) | Blazers -6.5 (-108)
Money line: Pelicans +205 | Blazers -250
Total: 232.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 2.1, straight up 57%, 235.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic, (GTD - Back); Trey Murphy III, (GTD - Ankle); Bryce McGowens, (OUT - Toe)
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (OUT - Calf); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Calf); Vit Krejci, (OUT - Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)
San Antonio Spurs at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs -3.5 (-112) | Clippers +3.5 (-108)
Money line: Spurs -170 | Clippers +142
Total: 230.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 1.2, straight up 54%, 225.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Emanuel Miller, (GTD - Undisclosed); Luke Kornet, (GTD - Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS - Ankle)
Clippers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT - Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS - Foot)