ESPN's basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you lock in daily fantasy and betting decisions for that night's games. Here you'll find our top insights for the slate, including players to target for your daily fantasy rosters, along with game-by-game injury reports.
What you need to know for Thursday
Klay Thompson makes his return to Golden State, where he won four championships. His Miami Heat are coming off an overtime win against the LA Clippers. In the only other game of the night, the Phoenix Suns will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they host the Orlando Magic. Both the Heat and Suns are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Magic have lost two straight and remain without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs. Franz Wagner has stepped up, averaging 20.3 PPG and 7.6 APG, and Anthony Black is off the injury report after missing Monday's game against the Washington Wizards. The Suns lost 132-119 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday despite 33 points from Devin Booker. Phoenix ranks last in defensive rating.
The Heat have won three of their last four games after starting the season 0-4. Thompson scored 30 points and made eight 3-pointers in Wednesday's win over the Clippers, including the game-winner in overtime. Bam Adebayo added 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Miami now faces a Golden State Warriors team that has won five straight. The short turnaround could be a challenge for Miami after Wednesday's overtime game.
Let's take a closer look at both matchups, along with some fantasy streamers and betting angles worth considering.
Fantasy stream team
Players available in at least 50% of leagues
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Orlando Magic (rostered in 50.8% of ESPN leagues)
We're just over the roster threshold here. Black has taken on a larger with Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs sidelined. He has contributed as a scorer, playmaker and defender, finishing with at least 37 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Black sat out Monday's matchup against Washington, but he's off the injury report for Thursday's game against Phoenix.
Dillon Brooks, SF/SG, Phoenix Suns (38.1%)
Brooks has scored at least 29 fantasy points in three of his last four games and played 33 or more minutes in three of them. He's still seeing solid usage despite sharing the floor with Devin Booker and Jalen Green. Brooks is worth streaming for points and 3-pointers, though he's better suited for points leagues than category leagues.
Pelle Larsson, SG/SF, Miami Heat (15.6%)
Larsson has been useful in points leagues, but I prefer him in category formats. He won't score as much as Black or Tristan da Silva, but he chips in rebounds, assists and steals without hurting you in turnovers. Larsson is averaging 30.4 MPG despite coming off the bench, and that playing time should continue Thursday against a Warriors team is 22nd in defensive rating.
Tristan da Silva, SF/PF, Magic (13.6%)
Da Silva is averaging 24.1 fantasy points per game and has been a solid source of scoring and 3-pointers. His production can be inconsistent, but Thursday's matchup against Phoenix is appealing. The Suns rank last in defensive rating, making da Silva worth considering in deeper points and category leagues.
Moody's favorite bets for Thursday
Odds by DraftKings
and subject to change.
Tristan da Silva 13+ points (-101)
Da Silva has carved out a significant role in Orlando's rotation, building on what we saw from him in the preseason. He averages 29.4 MPG, 7.4 3-point attempts per game and has scored at least 13 points in four of seven games this season. The Magic should continue to give him opportunities off the bench with Banchero and Suggs sidelined. Phoenix is not playing great defense right now.
Devin Booker 6+ assists (+154)
Booker has recorded at least six assists in only two of six games this season, but I like the value here. He's averaging 34.6 MPG and remains one of Phoenix's primary playmakers. The Magic have allowed the third-most APG to opposing point guards this season. The Suns are favored by just 1.5 points, so Booker should see his usual workload in a competitive game.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET
Line: Magic +1.5 (-120) | Suns -1.5 (-101)
Moneyline: Magic -108 | Suns -110
Total: 222.5 (-111 O, -109 U)
BPI projection: Magic by 0.2, straight up 51%, 223.4 total points.
Injury report:
Magic: Jalen Suggs (OUT); Jonathan Isaac (OUT); Izaiyah Nelson (OUT); Noah Penda (OUT); Paolo Banchero (OUT)
Suns: Mark Williams (OUT); Jordan Goodwin (GTD); Rasheer Fleming (GTD)
Miami Heat at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Heat +7.5 (-114) | Warriors -7.5 (-106)
Moneyline: Heat +228 | Warriors -279
Total: 233.5 (-113 O, -107 U)
BPI projection: Warriors by 1.8, straight up 56%, 236.6 total points.
Injury report:
Heat: None reported
Warriors: Jimmy Butler III (OUT); Gui Santos (OUT); Kristaps Porzingis (OUT); Moses Moody (OUT)