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.
What you need to know for Thursday's games
The New York Knicks enter Thursday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics in strong form, riding a three-game winning streak and going 7-3 over their last 10 games. At 51-28, New York has been especially dominant at Madison Square Garden, posting a 28-9 home record, and will look to use that advantage against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. With seeding still in play, the Knicks have added motivation as they continue to push toward the playoffs.
Boston, meanwhile, has been one of the most consistent teams in the league all season. Sitting at 54-25, the Celtics have won four straight and eight of their last 10 games, powered by elite production on both ends of the floor. Jayson Tatum returns to MSG for the first time since suffering a torn Achilles on that court during the 2025 playoffs, while Jaylen Brown continues to lead the offense at a high level. Despite Tatum not yet playing at peak form, Boston remains a dangerous and well-balanced team.
This matchup also carries added intrigue as a potential playoff preview. The Knicks lead the season series 2-1, including a convincing win in their last meeting, but Boston enters with momentum and a deeper roster when healthy. Ultimately, the game could come down to availability and execution, with New York looking to capitalize at home while Boston aims to reinforce its standing near the top of the conference.
Here's a look at the fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on Thursday's six-game slate.
Thursday's fantasy stream team
E.J. Liddell, PF, Brooklyn Nets (rostered in 0.2% of ESPN leagues): Liddell has made the most of his playing time, scoring at least 30 fantasy points in each of his last two games amid multiple injuries for the Nets. Nic Claxton, Day'Ron Sharpe and Danny Wolf have all been ruled out for Thursday's game. That should continue to open up opportunities for Liddell, who is a strong DFS value at $4,500 against a Pacers team that has allowed the second-most DraftKings fantasy points per game to power forwards over their last 15 games.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ Salaries
Jayson Tatum, PF, Boston Celtics ($10,000): Tatum has averaged 54.8 fantasy points per game over his last seven games. From a film perspective, he looks fully recovered after tearing his Achilles last May. Statistically, Tatum contributes across nearly every category, with blocks being the only exception. He's largely matchup-proof but could see even more usage against the Knicks, especially with Brown and Derrick White both questionable for Thursday's game.
$6,100-$8,000 Salaries
Tre Jones, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls ($7,100): Jones did an impressive job running the Bulls' offense on Tuesday, finishing with 37 fantasy points. He likely would have had an even bigger night if the game against the Wizards hadn't turned into a blowout. He should see similar success against Washington on Thursday, especially with Josh Giddey out again. The Wizards rank 28th in defensive rating over their last 15 games and have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to point guards during that span. Jones is also worth a look in season-long leagues, as he's rostered in just 48.2% of ESPN leagues.
Payton Pritchard, PG/SG, Boston Celtics ($6,700): Pritchard has now gone six straight games without reaching 30 fantasy points, but don't let that deter you. With the Celtics mostly healthy, he has shifted back into a bench role, though his playing time still resembles that of a starter, and he remains a reliable fantasy producer. Brown and White could be ruled out for tonight's game against the Knicks, which would give Pritchard more opportunities. He's a solid value at this price point.
$3,500-$6,000 Salaries
Leonard Miller, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls ($5,300): Miller has averaged 29 fantasy points per game over his last five games and has played at least 22 minutes in each of them. With the Bulls dealing with multiple frontcourt injuries, Miller should continue to see steady minutes. It's hard to pass on him given Chicago's current situation and a matchup against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. He's also a viable streamer, as he's rostered in just 1.7% of ESPN leagues.
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG,Toronto Raptors ($4,800): Walter's minutes and fantasy production have been trending up. He has played at least 27 minutes and scored 20+ fantasy points in seven consecutive games. Even with Immanuel Quickley returning from an eight-game absence due to right foot plantar fasciitis, Walter has maintained a role in the Raptors' rotation off the bench. The Heat have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards over their last six games.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors
7 p.m. ET
Line: Heat +3.5 (-108) | Raptors -3.5 (-112)
Money line: Heat +136 | Raptors -162
Total: 237.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 2.5, straight up 58%, 238.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Dru Smith, (GTD - Foot); Norman Powell, (GTD - Groin); Nikola Jovic, (OUT - Ankle); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Not Injury Related)
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (OUT - Knee)
Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -6.5 (-108) | Wizards +6.5 (-112)
Money line: Bulls -258 | Wizards +210
Total: 248.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 8.2, straight up 74%, 244.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Collin Sexton, (GTD - Finger); Isaac Okoro, (GTD - Quadriceps); Lachlan Olbrich, (GTD - Foot); Patrick Williams, (GTD - Thumb); Anfernee Simons, (OUT - Wrist); Josh Giddey, (OUT - Hamstring); Matas Buzelis, (OUT - Illness); Nick Richards, (OUT - Elbow); Jalen Smith, (OFS - Calf); Noa Essengue, (OFS - Shoulder)
Wizards: Anthony Gill, (GTD - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD - Heel); Jaden Hardy, (GTD - Back); Justin Champagnie, (GTD - Knee); Tre Johnson, (GTD - Foot); Alex Sarr, (OUT - Toe); Tristan Vukcevic, (OUT - Knee); Anthony Davis, (OFS - Finger); Cam Whitmore, (OFS - Shoulder); D'Angelo Russell, (OFS - Not Injury Related)
Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers -2.5 (-112) | Nets +2.5 (-108)
Money line: Pacers -155 | Nets +130
Total: 224.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 2.5, straight up 58%, 225.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS - Knee); Ben Sheppard, (GTD - Hip); Jarace Walker, (GTD - Back); Kobe Brown, (GTD - Back); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Neck); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT - Back); Pascal Siakam, (OUT - Ankle); T.J. McConnell, (OUT - Hamstring); Ivica Zubac, (OFS - Ribs); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles)
Nets: Josh Minott, (OUT - Ankle); Nic Claxton, (OUT - Finger); Noah Clowney, (OUT - Ankle); Terance Mann, (OUT - Knee); Ziaire Williams, (OUT - Foot); Danny Wolf, (OFS - Ankle); Day'Ron Sharpe, (OFS - Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS - Foot); Michael Porter Jr., (OFS - Hamstring)
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Celtics +4.5 (-108) | Knicks -4.5 (-112)
Money line: Celtics +154 | Knicks -185
Total: 215.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 1.9, straight up 56%, 214.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Derrick White, (GTD - Knee); Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Achilles); Neemias Queta, (GTD - Toe); Sam Hauser, (GTD - Back)
Knicks: Tyler Kolek, (GTD - Oblique)
Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +4.5 (-118) | Rockets -4.5 (-102)
Money line: 76ers +145 | Rockets -175
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.4, straight up 64%, 227.7 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (OUT - Appendix) Charles Bassey, (GTD - Ankle); Johni Broome, (OUT - Knee); Cameron Payne, (OUT - Hamstring)
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS - Ankle)
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +4.5 (-110) | Warriors -4.5 (-110)
Money line: Lakers +160 | Warriors -192
Total: 225.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 1.7, straight up 55%, 230.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Marcus Smart, (GTD - Ankle); Jaxson Hayes, (OUT - Foot); Austin Reaves, (OUT - Oblique); Luka Doncic, (OUT - Hamstring)
Warriors: Gui Santos, (GTD - Pelvis); Stephen Curry, (GTD - Knee); Will Richard, (GTD - Back); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT - Illness); Al Horford, (OUT - Calf); Quinten Post, (OUT - Foot); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS - Knee); Moses Moody, (OFS - Knee)
