Eric MoodyJan 15, 2026, 11:45 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
There are nine games on Thursday’s NBA slate, but only five are included in the main slate.
The matchup I’m most excited about features the Oklahoma City Thunder traveling to take on the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. This is a must-watch matchup due to the combination of recent history and current stakes. These teams opened the season with a dramatic double-overtime thriller, and Houston is now searching for a statement win as it looks to regain momentum after a rocky stretch.
Oklahoma City, while still elite, has shown some cracks since its hot start and remains without Isaiah Hartenstein, opening the door for Alperen Sengun to exploit the frontcourt. Houston is looking to validate its rise while OKC aims to reinforce its dominance, giving this matchup the feel of a playoff-level test in January.
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
2 Related
Grayson Allen, SG/PG, Phoenix Suns (rostered in 40.3% of ESPN leagues): Allen is heating up after returning from a nine-game absence due to a knee injury and has scored at least 30 fantasy points in two straight games. While the Detroit Pistons rank second in defensive rating, Allen offers managers a solid floor, and his ceiling would rise further if Devin Booker (questionable with a sprained left ankle) is ruled out. He contributes across multiple categories, including points, rebounds, assists and 3-pointers.
Naji Marshall, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks (27.3%): Marshall continues to play a key role on both ends of the floor for the Mavericks, and Anthony Davis‘ injury woes have solidified his spot in the rotation. He’s logged at least 32 minutes in four of his last five games and has scored 27 or more fantasy points in all five, including a 60-point performance. Marshall should thrive against a Jazz team that ranks 30th in defensive rating, and he remains a strong DFS value at $6,300.
Moody’s bets for Thursday
Jalen Williams UNDER 28.5 points, rebounds and assists (-114)
Williams has had a slow start to the season while playing through a right shooting wrist injury that required two surgeries, and he has gone under this line in 13 of 20 games with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup. In those games, he’s averaged 14.2 field goal attempts, 9.1 rebound chances and 8.9 potential assists in 30.3 minutes per contest. The Rockets also present a difficult matchup and excel at limiting scoring within 10 feet of the basket, an area where over 70% of Williams’ points have come from this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 44.5 points, rebounds and assists (-108)
Antetokounmpo should be highly motivated after the Bucks’ dreadful 33-point loss to a Timberwolves team without Anthony Edwards on Tuesday, a game that saw Milwaukee booed on its home floor. He also has a history of elevating his play against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, clearing this line in each of his last two meetings with San Antonio while averaging 52 PRAs. While the Spurs may not appear to be an ideal matchup on paper, they simply don’t have a defender capable of slowing Antetokounmpo due to his special skill set. He’s also cleared this line in 75% of the games this season in which he’s played at least 30 minutes.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
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$8,100+ salaries
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,500)
Don’t let the Rockets, who rank ninth in defensive rating this season, deter you from Gilgeous-Alexander. He carries a 33.8% usage rate and has scored at least 50 fantasy points in three straight games, including a 67.0-point performance. This projects as a competitive matchup, which bodes well for SGA. He also finished with 35 points and five rebounds against the Rockets in the season opener on Oct. 21.
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Jaylen Brown, SF, Boston Celtics ($9,900)
Brown is expected to face the Miami Heat after missing Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers due to back spasms. He’s been phenomenal so far this season, averaging 47.4 fantasy points per game while carrying a 37.1% usage rate. Miami leads the league in pace, which bodes well for Brown in this matchup. He finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against the Heat on Dec. 19.
Alperen Sengun, PF/C, Houston Rockets ($9,200)
Sengun has played at least 35 minutes and scored 42 or more fantasy points in both games since returning from a three-game absence with an ankle injury, suggesting he’s fully recovered. The Thunder remain without Hartenstein, which positions Sengun for another strong outing. He has a 29.5% usage rate this season, which is a career high.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz ($7,400)
Nurkic returned from a two-game absence due to a toe injury to post 48.2 fantasy points against the Cavaliers on Monday, and he benefits from the Mavericks being without Anthony Davis. Although he did not see the floor Wednesday despite not appearing on Utah’s injury report, he’s averaging 32.7 fantasy points per game this season, and his upside would increase further if Lauri Markkanen (illness) is ruled out. Dallas has also allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to centers this season. If you need a streaming center, Nurkic is widely available, rostered in just 43.2% of ESPN leagues.
Stephon Castle, SG, San Antonio Spurs ($7,000)
Castle has averaged 33.3 fantasy points per game over his last seven outings and has logged at least 33 minutes in four of those contests. The Bucks have been a favorable matchup for point guards and shooting guards this season, making this a strong spot for Castle, who contributes across nearly every statistical category.
Norman Powell, SG/SF, Miami Heat ($6,400)
Powell returned Tuesday from a one-game absence due to a back injury and showed no lingering effects, finishing with 41.2 fantasy points against the Suns. He’s been excellent this season and stands out as a strong value in a matchup with one of the highest totals on the slate. Powell is averaging 36.1 fantasy points and 30.9 minutes per game this season.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Brice Sensabaugh, SG/SF, Utah Jazz ($5,700)
Even though Sensabaugh is now coming off the bench for the Jazz, he remains a key part of the rotation. He erupted for 57.8 fantasy points in 34 minutes against the Bulls on Wednesday. While most of his fantasy value comes from scoring, he also chips in rebounds, assists and steals. Sensabaugh also finished with 27.8 fantasy points against the Mavericks last Thursday.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Memphis Grizzlies at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +4.5 (-102) | Magic -4.5 (-118)
Money line: Grizzlies +170 | Magic -205
Total: 228.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 5.5, straight up 66%, 232.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Ja Morant, (OUT – Calf); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Calf); , (OUT – Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT – Toe); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle)
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT – Thumb); Jalen Suggs, (OUT – Knee)
Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +6.5 (-112) | Pistons -6.5 (-108)
Money line: Suns +200 | Pistons -245
Total: 222.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 7.3, straight up 70%, 227.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Devin Booker, (GTD – Ankle); Nigel Hayes-Davis, (GTD – Ankle); Royce O’Neale, (GTD – Biceps); Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring); Jamaree Bouyea, (OUT – Concussion)
Pistons: Isaiah Stewart, (GTD – Illness); Jalen Duren, (GTD – Ankle); Tobias Harris, (GTD – Hip); Wendell Moore Jr., (OUT – Hamstring)
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics -2.5 (-102) | Heat +2.5 (-118)
Money line: Celtics -142 | Heat +120
Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 2.2, straight up 57%, 233.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Josh Minott, (OUT – Ankle); Jayson Tatum, (OUT – Achilles)
Heat: Davion Mitchell, (GTD – Shoulder); Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD – Knee); Nikola Jovic, (GTD – Knee); Tyler Herro, (GTD – Toe); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets
7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Thunder -4.5 (-118) | Rockets +4.5 (-102)
Money line: Thunder -192 | Rockets +160
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 2.5, straight up 58%, 226.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Luguentz Dort, (GTD – Foot); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Calf); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS – Knee)
Rockets: Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Tari Eason, (OUT – Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks +7.5 (-108) | Spurs -7.5 (-112)
Money line: Bucks +235 | Spurs -290
Total: 225.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 8.6, straight up 72%, 230.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Ankle); Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck)
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (OUT – Thigh)
Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +2.5 (-110) | Mavericks -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Jazz +120 | Mavericks -142
Total: 237.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 6.1, straight up 67%, 243.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, (GTD – Illness); Elijah Harkless, (OUT – Hamstring); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, (GTD – Ankle); Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Ankle); Max Christie, (GTD – Illness); Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot)
New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Knicks +6.5 (-108) | Warriors -6.5 (-112)
Money line: Knicks +205 | Warriors -250
Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 2.1, straight up 57%, 231.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, (GTD – Ankle); Landry Shamet, (GTD – Shoulder)
Warriors: Seth Curry, (OUT – Back)
Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks -4.5 (-105) | Blazers +4.5 (-115)
Money line: Hawks -175 | Blazers +145
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 2.1, straight up 57%, 241.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Luke Kennard, (GTD – Neck); Mouhamed Gueye, (GTD – Ankle); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Achilles); Zaccharie Risacher, (OUT – Knee); N’Faly Dante, (OFS – Knee)
Blazers: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Back); Jerami Grant, (GTD – Achilles); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Knee); Scoot Henderson, (OUT – Hamstring); Kris Murray, (OUT – Back); Blake Wesley, (OUT – Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets +4.5 (-118) | Lakers -4.5 (-102)
Money line: Hornets +150 | Lakers -180
Total: 233.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 4.6, straight up 64%, 231.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Collin Sexton, (GTD – Hamstring); Moussa Diabate, (GTD – Hip); Mason Plumlee, (OUT – Groin)
Lakers: Jaxson Hayes, (GTD – Hamstring); Austin Reaves, (OUT – Calf); Adou Thiero, (OUT – Knee)