Eric MoodyJan 22, 2026, 11:29 AM ET
CloseEric Moody is a writer for fantasy football, men’s and women’s basketball, and sports betting at ESPN. Eric joined ESPN in 2021 after working as a senior fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Prior to that, he spent much of his career as a manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company.
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
There are eight games on Thursday’s NBA slate, with the Houston Rockets–Philadelphia 76ers matchup at Xfinity Mobile Arena the one that most draws my eye.
Houston is still learning how to survive without Steven Adams, and every back-to-back now feels like a stress test for their depth. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has quietly built something resilient around Tyrese Maxey, thriving despite missed time from Joel Embiid and Paul George. With the Sixers looking to rebound from a frustrating loss and the Rockets trying to prove they can compete without their interior anchor, this matchup feels less like a routine stop and more like a measuring stick for where both teams really stand.
Let’s break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight’s slate.
Thursday’s fantasy stream teamEditor’s Picks
1 Related
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz (rostered in 44.0% of ESPN leagues): Nurkic has been impressive over his last two games since returning to the court, scoring at least 38 fantasy points in both contests, including 60 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. He provides points, rebounds and assists. Even in a matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, Nurkic remains a reliable streaming option.
Jonathan Kuminga, PF, Golden State Warriors (31.5% rostered): Kuminga’s role in the Warriors’ rotation is set to increase with Jimmy Butler III out for the season. Kuminga finished with 31 fantasy points in 21 minutes against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, and has averaged 19.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per 40 minutes this season. The usage should still be there for him and he’s also an intriguing DFS option ($4,500) against a Mavericks team missing Anthony Davis.
Max Christie, SG, Dallas Mavericks (11.2% rostered): Christie is primarily a scoring and 3-point specialist, but he’s added modest contributions across the stat sheet while performing well over his last 10 games. During that stretch, he’s averaged 27.0 fantasy points per game. At just $5,200, he’s also worth considering as a value option in DFS lineups.
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Joel Embiid OVER 29.5 points and assists (-112)
Embiid finds himself in a great spot, even against a Rockets team that ranks sixth in defensive rating this season. He’s cleared this line in seven of his last 10 games. Over that stretch, he’s averaged 18.4 field goal attempts and 7.4 potential assists in 33.0 minutes. The Rockets did a good job containing Wembanyama on Tuesday, but Embiid is much more polished offensively at this stage of his career and is capable of exploiting whatever Houston throws at him.
Amen Thompson OVER 17.5 points (-118)
Even though Thompson has gone under this line in three of his last four games, he’s gone over it in six of his last 10. The great news is that he’s averaged 14.7 field goal attempts and 39.1 minutes per game over that stretch. Houston’s recent schedule has included tough matchups against teams like Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Much of Thompson’s scoring comes from attacking the rim with his athleticism, and that’s something those recent opponents have defended well. However, the 76ers rank near the bottom of the league in defending the restricted area, which bodes well for Thompson in this spot.
Aaron Gordon 5+ assists (+141)
Gordon has recorded at least five assists in two consecutive games. What’s even more impressive is that he’s logged at least 10 potential assists and played at least 30 minutes in each contest. The Nuggets are without both Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun, which bodes well for Gordon from an assists perspective against a Wizards team that ranks near the bottom of the league in assists allowed.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets ($9,800)
Murray is dealing with a minor hip issue but is expected to play against a Wizards team that ranks 29th in defensive rating. He’s averaged 47.4 fantasy points per game over his last five contests and should remain the focal point of Denver’s offense with Jokic still sidelined by a left knee bone bruise. Washington has also allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to point guards.
Victor Wembanyama, C, Spurs ($9,700)
Wembanyama has played at least 30 minutes in two of his last three games, which is encouraging. He’s also scored at least 59 fantasy points twice over that span, including one performance against the Jazz. Utah ranks 30th in defensive rating and third in pace, which bodes well for Wemby in this matchup.
Anthony Edwards, SG, Timberwolves ($9,500)
Edwards has averaged 39.0 minutes and 52.3 fantasy points per game over his last three outings. He carries a 31.2% usage rate this season and should continue to be leaned on heavily as Minnesota looks to end its two-game losing streak. Chicago has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards and ranks fourth in pace, making this another great spot for Edwards to shine.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Peyton Watson, SF/PF, Nuggets ($7,600)
Watson has averaged 36.1 fantasy points per game in 35.1 minutes over his last six, continuing to deliver strong production and elevated usage with Jokic out. The Wizards aren’t a strong defensive team and rank in the top five in fantasy points per game allowed to forwards this season.
De’Aaron Fox, PG, Spurs ($7,200)
Fox’s production has been up and down this season, but he’s still averaging 37.3 fantasy points per game, providing a solid floor. His ceiling could be even higher against the Jazz, a team he posted 40.2 fantasy points against on Monday. Utah has allowed the most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.
Jaden McDaniels, SF, Timberwolves ($6,400)
McDaniels is an excellent option given his contributions across nearly every statistical category. He’s played at least 30 minutes and scored at least 37 fantasy points in four consecutive games. Like Edwards, McDaniels should capitalize in a favorable matchup against the Bulls.
Naz Reid, PF/C, Timberwolves ($6,200)
Like Edwards and McDaniels, this is a matchup Reid can exploit. He’s averaged 37.2 fantasy points per game in his last four games in which he logged at least 28 minutes. Reid remains a solid option even coming off the bench behind Rudy Gobert, especially if you’re looking to save salary at power forward or center.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Julian Champagnie, SG/SF, Spurs ($5,700)
Champagnie caught fire against the Rockets on Tuesday, finishing with 48 points in 34 minutes. He primarily provides points, triples, and rebounds. While his fantasy production can fluctuate, it’s difficult to pass him up at this salary given the favorable matchup. Utah is horrendous defensively and allows a high volume of three-pointers. Champagnie, rostered in just 15.2% of leagues, is also a viable streamer if you’re in need.
Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls ($5,600)
Dosunmu has been on quite the run for the Bulls over the last seven games. He’s scored at least 32 fantasy points in five of those contests, including one with 45. He should continue to be busy against the Timberwolves and is also a strong streaming option, as he’s rostered in just 29.7% of leagues and contributes across the board with points, assists, rebounds, steals, and triples.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets +5.5 (-102) | Magic -5.5 (-118)
Money line: Hornets +200 | Magic -245
Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 8.7, straight up 73%, 229.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: KJ Simpson, (GTD – Hip); Mason Plumlee, (OUT – Groin)
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (GTD – Knee); Colin Castleton, (OUT – Thumb)
Houston Rockets at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -2.5 (-105) | 76ers +2.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -125 | 76ers +105
Total: 221.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.2, straight up 63%, 230.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Aaron Holiday, (GTD – Back); Steven Adams, (OUT – Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Ankle); Paul George, (GTD – Knee)
Denver Nuggets at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets -5.5 (-110) | Wizards +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets -225 | Wizards +185
Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 4.8, straight up 64%, 237.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD – Hamstring); Jamal Murray, (GTD – Hip); Jonas Valanciunas, (GTD – Calf); Tim Hardaway Jr., (GTD – Knee); Christian Braun, (OUT – Ankle); Cameron Johnson, (OUT – Knee); Nikola Jokic, (OUT – Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT – Foot)
Wizards: AJ Johnson, (GTD – Illness); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Back); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Illness); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Illness); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT – Hamstring); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Warriors -4.5 (-115) | Mavericks +4.5 (-105)
Money line: Warriors -185 | Mavericks +154
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 3.1, straight up 60%, 230.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Gary Payton II, (GTD – Foot); Seth Curry, (OUT – Back); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot)
Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +9.5 (-115) | Timberwolves -9.5 (-105)
Money line: Bulls +310 | Timberwolves -395
Total: 238.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 11.2, straight up 78%, 240.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Josh Giddey, (GTD – Hamstring); Patrick Williams, (GTD – Ankle); Zach Collins, (OUT – Toe); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder)
Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT – Foot)
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET
Line: Spurs -12.5 (-115) | Jazz +12.5 (-105)
Money line: Spurs -700 | Jazz +500
Total: 238.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 12.5, straight up 81%, 245.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: David Jones Garcia, (GTD – Undisclosed); Luke Kornet, (GTD – Groin); Devin Vassell, (OUT – Thigh)
Jazz: Brice Sensabaugh, (GTD – Illness); Keyonte George, (GTD – Forearm); Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Illness); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +1.5 (-115) | Clippers -1.5 (-105)
Money line: Lakers -108 | Clippers -112
Total: 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 1.2, straight up 54%, 225.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Austin Reaves, (OUT – Calf); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Knee); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hamstring); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT – Knee); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip)
Miami Heat at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Heat +1.5 (-110) | Blazers -1.5 (-110)
Money line: Heat +EVEN | Blazers -120
Total: 239.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 1.1, straight up 54%, 242.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Kel’el Ware, (GTD – Hamstring); Tyler Herro, (OUT – Ribs); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Achilles); Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Calf); Kris Murray, (GTD – Back); Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Sidy Cissoko, (GTD – Illness); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Knee); Blake Wesley, (OUT – Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)