Wednesday’s massive 12-game slate included a career performance from Paolo Banchero and another chapter in the growing rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. However, the fantastic actionable insights come from three young rising statistical stars who demand more attention from managers.
The early returns for the Toronto Raptors’ blockbuster daring trade last week are looking good, as Immanuel Quickley scored 26 points and made five 3-pointers in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The 32 minutes he spent as the team’s starting point guard marked the second total he has played this season, confirming that he is finally free of the limited role he played for the Knicks New York. This dynamic goalie is available in free agency in just over half of ESPN men’s basketball leagues.
Jalen Johnson (54% registered) of the Atlanta Hawks not only dunk on Chet Holmgren on the verge of stopping the Oklahoma City Thunder’s winning streak, but he also produced a career-high 28 points with seven rebounds and four interceptions. Make room for it on your list(s).
The Sacramento Kings survived Banchero’s double-overtime scoring spree late last night thanks in large part to Malik Monk (40.7%) Brilliant 37 point performance off the pin. In the tradition of Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford, Monk is the most prolific bench scorer in the league. It’s also worth noting that Magic star Franz Wagner twisted his ankle early in the game and didn’t return. We will want to monitor this injury in the coming days.
Shifting the fantasy focus to Thursday, we only have two games to dissect. Fortunately, each game boasts a solid point total, helping to support worthy streaming candidates and multiple paths to building DFS lists.
The night opens with the Bucks in the back-to-back game in Texas to face Victor Wembanyana and the San Antonio Spurs. The total for this one stands at 247.5 points thanks to the Spurs being third in pace and the Bucks right behind in fourth. The Bucks are only 21st in defensive efficiency, while the Spurs are 25th. All the metrics line up to scream that many points will be scored. Actions of Bobby Portis (67.7%), Malik Beasley (11%), Jérémie Sochan (15.3%)and even Tre Jones (53.9%) could provide relevant production.
Game 2 features a marquee matchup between the last two NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets visiting the Golden State Warriors. The total for this game stands at 234.5 points, while the Warriors roster has several streaming options in the section below.
Thursday’s Stream Team
This segment features three key streaming options ahead of this day’s action. A streamer, by our standards, is a player available in at least half of ESPN’s men’s basketball leagues.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors (21.4%)
While his scoring production may be a bit modest, Podziemski’s playmaking and creation skills have proven to be durable. After all, he’s delivered at least four dimes in nine of his last 12 games and is averaging an impressive 5.4 rebounds this season, a great clip for a combo guard.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Golden State Warriors (10.6%)
The Warriors have struggled at times to blend their elite veteran core and young prospects, but this year has been impressive in how rookies Podziemski and Jackson-Davis have thrived in true rotation roles. Jackson-Davis has double-double potential in a game that should see him busy taking on the size of the Denver Nuggets.
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF, San Antonio Spurs (15.3%)
The fact that Sochan is uniquely eligible at the point guard and power forward position helps capture the rare role he plays for the Spurs as a playmaker and glue guy. His production can certainly be meager at times, but the makings of a fantastic game against the Bucks could inspire a full line in Sochan’s scoring.
Malik Beasley, SG, Milwaukee Bucks (11.0%)
With the combination of a fast pace, which leads to extra possessions, and a porous defense, which often includes late closeouts, Beasley has real potential to become a source of shots and goals on Thursday night.
Injury Projections and Reports
Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics.* Projections assume all players listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. San Antonio Spurs
7:30 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
CPI projection: Dollars in the highest scoring match on the list.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Khris Middleton, (GTD – Rest); Jae Crowder, (OUT – Groin)
Spurs: Malaki Branham, (GTD – Ankle); Zach Collins, (OUT – Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee)
Dollar Projections:
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 53.5 FPTS (31.3 pts, 11.8 reb, 5.7 ast, 1.6 blk)
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Damian Lillard, PG: 44.7 FPTS (26.1 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.8 3 p.m.)
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Khris Middleton, SF: 31.3 FPTS (15.6 pts, 6.0 reb, 4.2 ast)
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Brook Lopez, C: 25.2 FPTS (12.2 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 3.2 blk)
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Bobby Portis, PF/C: 23.0 FPTS (11.3 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.1 ast)
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Malik Beasley, SG: 21.3 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.3 3 p.m.)
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Pat Connaughton, SG/SF: 12.8 FPTS (4.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast)
Spurs projections:
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Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 39.6 FPTS (21.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.8 3 p.m.)
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Keldon Johnson, SF: 33.7 FPTS (16.7 pts, 5.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.9 3pm)
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Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 24.8 FPTS (12.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.5 ast)
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Tre Jones, PG: 21.9 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.4 ast)
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Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 21.3 FPTS (11.8 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
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Malaki Branham, SG: 19.7 FPTS (10.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.3 ast)
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Julian Champagnie, SG/SF: 14.0 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 0.9 ast)
Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
10:00 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
CPI projection: Warriors in the 2nd highest scoring game on the list.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Reggie Jackson, (GTD – calf); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee)
Warriors: Draymond Green, (OUT – Suspension); Gary Payton II, (OUT – Hamstring)
Nugget projections:
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Nikola Jokic, C: 54.2 FPTS (25.5 pts, 11.7 reb, 7.5 ast)
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Jamal Murray, PG: 36.8 FPTS (19.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.2 3 p.m.)
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Michael Porter Jr., SF: 28.6 FPTS (14.9 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.5 3pm)
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Aaron Gordon, PF: 26.7 FPTS (13.8 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.0 ast)
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.0 ast)
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Reggie Jackson, PG: 15.8 FPTS (7.1 pts, 1.4 reb, 3.0 ast)
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Peyton Watson, SF: 15.1 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Warrior Projections:
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Stephen Curry, PG: 44.1 FPTS (26.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.9 ast, 4.6 3 p.m.)
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Chris Paul, PG: 27.1 FPTS (9.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.8 ast)
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Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 25.0 FPTS (14.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.9 3 p.m.)
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Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 21.0 FPTS (13.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.4 ast)
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Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 20.4 FPTS (12.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
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Dario Saric, PF: 19.1 FPTS (8.6 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.8 ast)
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Brandin Podziemski, SG: 17.6 FPTS (9.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.2 ast)
