What you need to know for Thursday
Coming off a 43-point performance against the Indiana Pacers, Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in one of the top matchups on Thursday's four-game slate. Dallas (7-4) has won three straight, and Minnesota (8-3) has won four in a row despite injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. LaMelo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu have helped pick up the slack, as the pair combined for 50 points against the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
The Detroit Pistons visit the Washington Wizards just three days after beating them 122-111. Detroit (7-3) will again be without Jalen Duren, while Daniss Jenkins looks to build on Monday's performance when he finished with 22 points, eight assists and four steals. Elsewhere, the Philadelphia 76ers (9-3) host a Toronto Raptors team playing its second game in as many nights without Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard.
Let's take a closer look at Thursday's matchups, along with some fantasy streamers and betting angles worth considering.
Fantasy stream team
Players available in at least 50% of leagues
Jakob Poeltl, C, Raptors (45.3%)
Poeltl has played at least 31 minutes in three straight games -- a positive sign after his minutes were limited earlier this season -- and averaged 14.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 2.0 blocks during that stretch. The 76ers have Joel Embiid in their frontcourt, so Toronto will need Poeltl's size. He's worth streaming for rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage, although his six-point performance against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday is a reminder that his scoring can fluctuate.
Paul Reed, PF/C, Pistons (37.2%)
Reed remains viable with Duren sidelined, particularly for managers chasing rebounds and defensive stats. He has pulled down 10-plus rebounds in consecutive games, including Monday's matchup against the Wizards when he also recorded three blocks and a steal. Reed averages 11.4 PPG and 7.4 RPG this season, but he moved to the bench Monday and played just 21 minutes, which limits his ceiling. Still, he's worth considering in category leagues, especially if the Pistons give him additional frontcourt minutes.
Grayson Allen, SG/PG, Charlotte Hornets (25.8%)
Allen should continue to have a significant role in Charlotte's offense with Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Dennis Schroder sidelined. He finished with 52 fantasy points in 34 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Allen's usage rate reached 24% in that game, and he averages 3.5 made three-pointers per game this season. The Hornets will need his perimeter shooting against the Phoenix Suns, especially with so many regular contributors unavailable. Allen is a great option for managers looking for points and 3-pointer, and he offers some additional assist upside.
Daniss Jenkins, PG, Pistons (23.8%)
Jenkins has taken advantage of Detroit's recent lineup changes, finishing with 55 fantasy points against the Los Angeles Lakers before delivering 56 fantasy points against the Washington Wizards on Monday. He played at least 32 minutes in both games and had a usage rate above 24%. The Wizards allowed 122 points in their first meeting with Detroit, giving Jenkins another favorable matchup. His production across multiple categories makes him one of Thursday's most appealing streamers, especially if he remains in the starting lineup.
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Raptors (13.2%)
Walter deserves streaming consideration with Barnes and Leonard sidelined. He led Toronto with 17 points against the Celtics on Wednesday, knocking down five triples while adding three rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes. Walter has played at least 27 minutes in six straight games and has attempted seven or more 3-pointers in four of his last five. He's particularly useful for managers who need points and triples.
Sion James, SG/SF, Hornets (1.4%)
James has scored at least 20 fantasy points in three of his last four games and could continue seeing additional minutes with the Hornets missing several rotation players. He started Monday against the Cavaliers and finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, three triples and two steals in 33 minutes. James' contributions to numerous statistical categories positions him as a streamer in deeper leagues.
Moody's favorite bets for Thursday
Odds by DraftKings
and subject to change.
Kyrie Irving 25+ points (+130)
Irving has scored at least 25 points in three of his last five games, including 35 against the Pacers on Monday. He's averaging 22.9 PPG this season, so this number is above his usual production, but the recent scoring performances are encouraging. The Timberwolves are a difficult defensive matchup, and Irving will need either an efficient shooting night or enough volume to reach this total. However, he has shown he can clear this number, and getting him at plus odds makes the bet worth considering.
Paul Reed 8+ rebounds (+113)
Reed has grabbed 10 rebounds in consecutive games, and averages 7.4 RPG this season. Duren remains sidelined, so the Pistons will continue to need Reed's presence in the frontcourt. The concern is his playing time. Reed came off the bench Monday and logged only 21 minutes, but he still reached double figures in rebounds. He has shown he can contribute on the glass without playing 30 minutes, making this line appealing at plus odds.
Duncan Robinson 4+ made 3-pointers (-105)
Robinson has been one of the league's most productive 3-point shooters this season, averaging 4.2 made triples while clearing this line in six of 10 games. He has attempted at least eight 3-pointers in each of his last four games, including Monday against Washington when he made four. The Wizards allowed the Pistons to score 122 points in that meeting, and Isaiah Joe's absence should keep Robinson involved offensively. At nearly even odds, I like his chances of making at least four triples again.
Grayson Allen 4+ made 3-pointers (+103)
Allen should see a ton of volume with Charlotte missing Knueppel and Miller. He made six 3-pointers against Cleveland on Monday and attempted 12 shots from beyond the arc in that game. The Phoenix Suns have been more effective defending perimeter shooters than their overall defensive numbers suggest, so this isn't an easy matchup. With that said, Allen's expanded role gives him the runway to reach this number.
LaMelo Ball 4+ made 3-pointers (-102)
Ball has made at least four triples in four of his last six games and continues to have a significant role in the Timberwolves' offense with Edwards and DiVincenzo sidelined. He has attempted 38 3-pointers over his last four games. The Mavericks present a competitive matchup, and Ball should remain one of Minnesota's primary shot creators.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +8.5 (-110) | 76ers -8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Raptors +276 | 76ers -344
Total: 223.5 (-115 O, -106 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 7.8, straight up 73%, 221.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Scottie Barnes (GTD); Trayce Jackson-Davis (GTD); Kawhi Leonard (OUT)
76ers: Ariel Hukporti (OFS); Joel Embiid (GTD); LeBron James (GTD); Adem Bona (OUT); Dominick Barlow (OUT)
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons -10.5 (-112) | Wizards +10.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Pistons -467 | Wizards +360
Total: 220.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 7.4, straight up 72%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Ugonna Onyenso (OUT); Isaiah Joe (OUT); Jalen Duren (OUT)
Wizards: Justin Champagnie (OUT); Jamir Watkins (OUT); Tristan Vukcevic (OUT); Reece Beekman (OUT)
Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Line: Mavericks +5.5 (-106) | Timberwolves -5.5 (-114)
Moneyline: Mavericks +185 | Timberwolves -223
Total: 226.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 7.2, straight up 72%, 226.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr. (GTD); Dereck Lively II (OUT); Sergio de Larrea (OUT); Tarik Biberovic (OUT)
Timberwolves: Donte DiVincenzo (OUT); Anthony Edwards (OUT)
Charlotte Hornets at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets +6.5 (-112) | Suns -6.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Hornets +201 | Suns -244
Total: 214.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 7.8, straight up 73%, 216.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Grant Williams (GTD); Moussa Diabate (GTD); Brandon Miller (OUT); Dennis Schroder (OUT); Kon Knueppel (OUT)
Suns: Mark Williams (OUT)