We've got five games on the menu Thursday night, including two where both teams are over .500 in matchups with playoff-seeding implications.
The fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks, who are (coincidentally) the fourth seed in the East, as both teams look to bounce back after bad losses. The Lakers fell to a lottery-bound Brooklyn Nets squad in their first game since LeBron James was sidelined with a groin issue, and head coach J.J. Redick went off on the team about playing at a pro level after the game. The Bucks, meanwhile, lost a heartbreaker to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday on Tyrese Haliburton's miraculous 4-point play with three seconds left. Both teams need a win to stave off a slide in the standings.
In San Francisco, the now-sixth-seeded Golden State Warriors look to continue their hot play against the ninth-seeded Sacramento Kings. The Warriors, who currently hold a playoff spot if the season ended today, have the opportunity to keep moving up the Western ranks with the possibility of home-court advantage. They also likely get Jonathan Kuminga back tonight after his long injury layoff. The Kings have lost two straight games, but if they could pull the upset, tonight they are still within range of challenging for the sixth seed.
As always, we will go through these and every other matchup to identify some fantasy hoops streaming options and betting angles of interest for Thursday's slate.
Thursday's Stream Team
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic (Available in 90.1% of ESPN leagues): Anthony has been starting in place of the injured Jalen Suggs, and is just as streaky as a starter as he is as a sixth man. He has been on a largely positive run of late, averaging 17.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.0 RPG and 2.3 3PG in his last three outings.
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls (90.9% available): Jones has been starting and getting more opportunity of late with Lonzo Ball (doubtful, wrist) out, and on Thursday his role could be even larger with Josh Giddey (ankle) also sidelined. Jones has taken advantage of his larger role, averaging 13.0 PPG, 6.0 APG and 5.3 RPG in his four most recent starts.
Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards (88.3% available): George has made repeated appearances in this space recently on the strength of his defense. He has totaled 27 steals and blocks in his last eight games, elite defensive production from a player also averaging 11.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.8 APG and 2.0 3PG during that stretch.
Dre's Bets for Thursday
Austin Reaves over 10.5 total assists and rebounds (-125)
Reaves has played four games without LeBron James this season. In those four games, Reaves has averaged 26.5 PPG, 9.8 APG and 6.8 RPG. This includes Monday, when he dropped 17 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds while playing with Luka Doncic. Reaves has at least 12 combined assists and rebounds in all four games without LeBron, as the Lakers put the ball in his hands and rely on him to create offense. Doncic is questionable on Thursday with an ankle issue, and if he's limited or sits, Reaves has an even higher ceiling.
Paolo Banchero over 25.5 total points(-110)
Banchero seems to finally be all the way back as a scorer after his long injury absence. After being merely a plus-scorer for the first month or so after his return, Banchero has exploded in recent weeks. He has averaged 29.3 PPG in his last seven games, with at least 25 points scored in five of those seven games. He will be facing a Pelicans defense that struggles against opposing power forwards and allows the sixth-most points in the NBA to the position.
Warriors -7.5 over Kings (-105)
The Warriors have won 10 straight games in which Jimmy Butler has played, winning by an average of 14.4 PPG. Included in those 10 games is a 24-point blowout win over the Kings in Sacramento late last month. The Kings have struggled since star center Domantas Sabonis (questionable, hamstring) went down. In his five-game absence, the Kings are 1-4 with an average scoring margin of -8.8 PPG.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues
Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards 13.5 (-110) | Pistons -13.5 (-110)
Money line: Wizards +600 | Pistons -1000
Total: 235.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 10.8, straight up 81%, 233.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Colby Jones, (GTD - Achilles); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Hip); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Ankle); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)
Pistons: Jaden Ivey, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Wizards projections:
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 35.1 FPTS (20.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.9 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Kyshawn George, SG/SF: 25.5 FPTS (12.4 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Bub Carrington, PG/SG: 24.3 FPTS (11.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.9 ast)
Khris Middleton, SF: 23.3 FPTS (12.4 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.0 ast)
Alex Sarr, PF/C: 22.9 FPTS (11.1 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.2 ast)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 19.0 FPTS (10.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Richaun Holmes, PF/C: 18.8 FPTS (7.5 pts, 7.0 reb, 2.1 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 52.5 FPTS (27.3 pts, 5.7 reb, 8.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jalen Duren, C: 28.2 FPTS (12.2 pts, 10.5 reb, 2.6 ast)
Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 25.9 FPTS (14.3 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.1 ast)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 23.7 FPTS (11.4 pts, 1.9 reb, 4.3 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 20.7 FPTS (12.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Ausar Thompson, SF/PF: 18.6 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.4 ast)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 16.4 FPTS (9.0 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.6 ast)
Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks
7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Line: Lakers 6.5 (-105) | Bucks -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Lakers +220 | Bucks -270
Total: 224.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 0.6, straight up 52%, 227.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Luka Doncic, (GTD - Ankle); Jaxson Hayes, (OUT - Knee); Rui Hachimura, (OUT - Knee); LeBron James, (OUT - Groin); Maxi Kleber, (OUT - Foot)
Bucks: Chris Livingston, (GTD - Illness); Damian Lillard, (GTD - Groin); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Calf); Tyler Smith, (GTD - Back); Bobby Portis, (OUT - Suspension)
Lakers projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 53.3 FPTS (27.4 pts, 8.0 reb, 7.5 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Austin Reaves, PG/SG/PF: 37.5 FPTS (18.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Dalton Knecht, SG/SF: 18.7 FPTS (10.8 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 16.6 FPTS (8.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 16.3 FPTS (7.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Jarred Vanderbilt, PF: 14.4 FPTS (6.2 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.3 ast)
Gabe Vincent, PG: 13.3 FPTS (7.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.6 ast)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 46.7 FPTS (26.9 pts, 11.3 reb, 5.6 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 44.8 FPTS (23.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.9 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 28.6 FPTS (16.3 pts, 6.0 reb, 2.4 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 21.7 FPTS (11.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.7 ast)
Taurean Prince, SF: 17.7 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.1 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., SG: 17.6 FPTS (10.6 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Tyler Smith, SF: 14.6 FPTS (5.7 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.5 ast)
Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Nets 2.5 (-115) | Bulls -2.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets +110 | Bulls -130
Total: 230.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 1, straight up 53%, 229.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Noah Clowney, (GTD - Ankle); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Knee)
Bulls: Lonzo Ball, (GTD - Wrist); Josh Giddey, (OUT - Ankle); Ayo Dosunmu, (OUT - Shoulder)
Nets projections:
Cam Thomas, SG/SF: 35.9 FPTS (23.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 29.2 FPTS (16.0 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.6 3PM)
D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 25.8 FPTS (12.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Nic Claxton, C: 25.0 FPTS (11.5 pts, 7.7 reb, 2.8 ast)
Ziaire Williams, SF: 20.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.5 ast)
Keon Johnson, SG: 19.0 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.0 ast)
Trendon Watford, PF: 15.6 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.0 ast)
Bulls projections:
Coby White, PG/SG: 38.1 FPTS (22.0 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 34.5 FPTS (16.0 pts, 10.0 reb, 3.3 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 21.6 FPTS (9.7 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
Tre Jones, PG: 19.0 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.1 ast)
Lonzo Ball, PG: 18.2 FPTS (6.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.8 ast)
Matas Buzelis, SF: 18.2 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
Jalen Smith, PF/C: 17.8 FPTS (8.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -2.5 (-115) | Pelicans 2.5 (-105)
Money line: Magic -145 | Pelicans +125
Total: 217.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 3.9, straight up 63%, 215.8 total points
Injury Report:
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (OUT - Knee); Moritz Wagner, (OUT - Knee)
Pelicans: Yves Missi, (GTD - Ankle); Kelly Olynyk, (OUT - Personal); Brandon Boston, (OUT - Ankle); Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles); Herbert Jones, (OUT - Shoulder)
Magic projections:
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 44.7 FPTS (26.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 5.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Franz Wagner, SF/PF: 39.4 FPTS (22.0 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.8 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 22.2 FPTS (9.9 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.1 ast)
Cole Anthony, PG: 22.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.7 ast)
Mac McClung, SG: 15.6 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.1 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 15.4 FPTS (9.1 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.5 ast)
Anthony Black, PG/SG: 14.3 FPTS (7.0 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.6 ast)
Pelicans projections:
Zion Williamson, PF: 36.5 FPTS (21.6 pts, 7.0 reb, 4.5 ast)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 32.5 FPTS (18.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 31.9 FPTS (16.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Jose Alvarado, PG: 21.5 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.3 reb, 4.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 17.9 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.3 ast)
Yves Missi, C: 15.8 FPTS (7.5 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.0 ast)
Jordan Hawkins, SG: 15.0 FPTS (8.3 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET on TNT
Line: Kings 7.5 (-115) | Warriors -7.5 (-105)
Money line: Kings +230 | Warriors -280
Total: 233.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 7.7, straight up 74%, 233.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Domantas Sabonis, (GTD - Hamstring); Jae Crowder, (GTD - Back); Jake LaRavia, (GTD - Knee)
Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD - Ankle); Brandin Podziemski, (OUT - Back)
Kings projections:
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 41.0 FPTS (17.3 pts, 11.0 reb, 5.9 ast)
DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 38.8 FPTS (23.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.0 ast)
Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 36.9 FPTS (21.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Malik Monk, SG/SF: 33.7 FPTS (16.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 24.5 FPTS (13.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 23.7 FPTS (10.3 pts, 8.1 reb, 2.6 ast)
Jake LaRavia, PF: 16.0 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.2 ast)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 47.5 FPTS (26.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 6.2 ast, 4.5 3PM)
Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/PF: 33.0 FPTS (18.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.9 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 28.2 FPTS (10.7 pts, 6.0 reb, 5.4 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 25.4 FPTS (16.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 20.3 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Quinten Post, C: 20.3 FPTS (10.1 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Moses Moody, SG/SF: 20.0 FPTS (12.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)