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Eric Moody
Multiple Authors
The daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet from ESPN serves as your essential pre-game resource for finalizing your evening’s lineups. Within these pages, you’ll discover our top recommendations for tonight, featuring a curated list of potential streaming players alongside detailed injury updates for each game.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
Key insights for Thursday’s games
Thursday’s NBA schedule features three matchups.
Tonight, the New York Knicks face the Charlotte Hornets, currently showcasing some of their most impressive basketball this season. They arrive on the back of a formidable seven-game winning streak, having recently triumphed over the New Orleans Pelicans. Their performance has been stellar across the board, with their defense now recognized as one of the league’s elite in terms of defensive efficiency. On the offensive front, Jalen Brunson remains the focal point, his scoring prowess and distribution skills consistently lifting the squad, complemented by Karl-Anthony Towns’ reliable post presence and frequent double-double contributions.
Conversely, the Hornets have emerged as one of the league’s quietly dominant teams, boasting a four-game winning streak and an impressive 22-6 record across their recent contests. Their success stems from a potent offensive scheme, counted among the league’s finest, driven by LaMelo Ball’s exceptional court vision and significant scoring input from Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. Additionally, Charlotte exhibits outstanding floor spacing, positioning them near the top for 3-point efficiency, all while sustaining a robust defensive effort that ensures their competitiveness almost every game.
This encounter promises a compelling contest between two ascendant teams: the Knicks emphasize balanced execution and tenacious defense, whereas the Hornets leverage their offensive explosiveness and long-range shooting. Ultimately, the outcome could hinge on whether New York manages to curb Charlotte’s shooting proficiency, or if the Hornets’ effective floor spacing and current momentum become insurmountable.
We will now delve further into these narratives and other key aspects to pinpoint appealing fantasy streamers, promising betting opportunities, and intriguing DFS options for Thursday’s schedule.
Thursday’s recommended fantasy streamers
Moussa Diabate, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets (rostered in 33.6% of ESPN leagues): Diabate has accumulated a minimum of 40 fantasy points in his most recent two appearances and appears to be having a career-defining season. He has been a starter in every game since late December, delivering averages of 8.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game across his past 35 contests. Diabate is expected to be highly active in his game against the New York Knicks and presents a trustworthy DFS selection given his current valuation ($5,700).
Daeqwon Plowden, SG, Sacramento Kings (4.6% rostered): Plowden has delivered exceptional performances across his previous eight games, averaging 24.2 fantasy points per outing within that period. Despite Sacramento navigating what’s often termed the “silly season,” there remain dependable fantasy choices, and Plowden stands out among them, particularly against an average Magic defense. At $5,300, he also represents a strong DFS value.
*More streaming candidates for ESPN leagues are detailed within the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Moody’s top wager for Thursday
Jalen Brunson to score 30+ points (+182)
Brunson has reached the 30-point threshold in 24 of his 68 games this season, maintaining an average of 20.8 field goal attempts per game throughout that stretch. Significantly, he has achieved 30+ points in 12 of the 19 contests where his playing time exceeded 37 minutes, underscoring his potential when given extensive minutes. Considering their next game isn’t until Sunday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brunson is expected to log substantial playing time. He will likely serve as a principal offensive threat against a Hornets defense known for guarding shooters closely and congesting the paint, a strategy that often funnels opponents into midrange shots, a domain where Brunson excels.
*Further streaming possibilities within ESPN leagues are listed in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Today’s premier Daily Fantasy picks
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Paolo Banchero, PF, Orlando Magic ($9,100)
Banchero has demonstrated exceptional form in his recent five appearances, securing a minimum of 37 fantasy points in each, and notably surpassing 54 points in three of those contests. He is virtually immune to matchup challenges and is expected to perform strongly against a Kings defense that has been vulnerable throughout the season. Furthermore, over their last 30 games, the Kings have conceded the 11th-highest number of fantasy points per game to power forwards.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Desmond Bane, SG/SF, Orlando Magic ($7,400)
Bane has achieved at least 30 fantasy points in five of his last seven outings and has maintained an unbroken attendance record this season, consistently offering reliable output for DFS participants. He benefits from a favorable pairing against a Kings squad that, over the past 15 games, ranks 24th in defensive rating and 10th in pace. The primary concern for both Bane and Banchero is the Magic’s status as significant favorites, yet this particular game boasts the highest projected total of the day.
Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings ($7,100)
Raynaud has performed capably for the Kings since the All-Star break, aligning with Sacramento’s ongoing talent assessment for the upcoming season. He has maintained an average of 32.8 fantasy points per game across his past seven contests. Although Raynaud confronts a Magic defense that has shown considerable strength against centers over the last 30 games, this factor might not be a significant impediment, given his 49.8 fantasy point performance against the San Antonio Spurs on March 17. He presents a sensible choice if you aim to economize salary at the center spot and offers a dependable streaming option (rostered in 47.8% of leagues) if accessible in your league.
Daniss Jenkins, PG, Detroit Pistons ($6,200)
Jenkins has recorded a minimum of 38 fantasy points and logged over 38 minutes in each of his last three games. With Cade Cunningham’s continued absence due to a left lung pneumothorax, Jenkins is anticipated to maintain substantial playing time. He benefits from an advantageous matchup against a Pelicans squad that currently ranks 24th in defensive rating. Jenkins also serves as a strong streaming choice, with a 39.3% rostered rate in ESPN leagues.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic ($5,300)
Carter maintains a crucial role for the Magic, despite not exceeding 30 fantasy points since March 12 against the Washington Wizards. Nevertheless, his production has been consistent, averaging 26.8 fantasy points per game across his previous six appearances. Carter offers a reliable baseline performance at his current cost, and considering the specific matchup, there’s scope for an elevated upside on Thursday evening. He is also a strong consideration for streaming, appearing on 33.2% of ESPN league rosters.
Tristan da Silva, SF/PF Orlando Magic ($5,000)
Da Silva, similar to Banchero and Bane, enjoys a propitious matchup against the Kings. He has tallied at least 31 fantasy points in both of his recent games and is expected to receive significant playing time irrespective of how the game unfolds. He too is a definite streaming candidate, currently rostered in only 16.4% of leagues.
Projections and Injury Reports
The Basketball Power Index is supplied by ESPN Analytics. Injury data is compiled by Rotowire.com. Betting odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Point Spread: Knicks +1.5 (-118) | Hornets -1.5 (-102)
To Win: Knicks +EVEN | Hornets -120
Game Total: 222.5 (-108 Over, -112 Under)
BPI Forecast: Knicks win by 0.5 points, 52% chance of outright win, 220.8 combined points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr. (Questionable – Quadriceps); Landry Shamet (Unavailable – Knee); Miles McBride (Unavailable – Pelvis)
Hornets: Pat Connaughton (Questionable – Illness); Tidjane Salaun (Unavailable – Calf)
New Orleans Pelicans at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Point Spread: Pelicans +3.5 (-110) | Pistons -3.5 (-110)
To Win: Pelicans +145 | Pistons -175
Game Total: 227.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under)
BPI Forecast: Pistons win by 8.9 points, 76% chance of outright win, 232.1 combined points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Trey Murphy III (Questionable – Ankle); Bryce McGowens (Unavailable – Toe)
Pistons: Marcus Sasser (Questionable – Hip); Isaiah Stewart (Unavailable – Calf); Cade Cunningham (Unavailable – Chest)
Sacramento Kings at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Point Spread: Kings +15.5 (-110) | Magic -15.5 (-110)
To Win: Kings +800 | Magic -1350
Game Total: 230.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under)
BPI Forecast: Magic win by 11 points, 80% chance of outright win, 231.5 combined points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Isaiah Stevens (Questionable – Ankle); Killian Hayes (Questionable – Foot); Precious Achiuwa (Questionable – Back); Keegan Murray (Unavailable – Ankle); Nique Clifford (Unavailable – Foot); Russell Westbrook (Unavailable – Toe); De’Andre Hunter (Out for Season – Eye); Domantas Sabonis (Out for Season – Knee); Drew Eubanks (Out for Season – Thumb); Zach LaVine (Out for Season – Finger)
Magic: Jalen Suggs (Questionable – Illness); Anthony Black (Unavailable – Abdomen); Franz Wagner (Unavailable – Ankle); Jonathan Isaac (Unavailable – Knee)