Jim McCormickSpecial to ESPN.com5 minute read
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What you need to know for Thursday’s matches
A busy Wednesday around the league saw some widely available players emerge as statistical stars. THE Atlanta Falcons finally receive great support from Bogdan Bogdanovic (registered in 35.3% of ESPN men’s basketball leagues), while the Kings of Sacramento score and shoot from Kevin Huerter (61.9%). Both lost 28 points in their respective matches.
Another warm hand comes from Dallas Mavericks, with Tim Hardway Jr. splashing the ball with consistency, including last night’s 31-point opus in Washington. For all the talk about the Indiana Pacers’ elite offense, Dallas also offers historic efficiency.
The Trail Blazers received a big response from the defensive dynamo Matisse Thybulle (1.5%). Although he is a one-way talent, he has done as much as 2.3 actions (steals and blocks) per game over the past week.
Thursday’s slate only includes two games, with several of those slates offering worthy streaming candidates.
THE Brooklyn nets are in Florida to face the Miami heat. With Ben Simmons facing the problems of the past again and scoring machine Cam Thomas sick, we name a key Nets name in the section below. The Heat, for its part, will not have Tyler Herrobringing two guards into relevance (again, below).
The last drink highlights the emerging Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the Warriors of the Golden State in a game that favors young visitors. Without Stephen Curry (knee) or Green Draymond (suspension), the Warriors are testing their youth and rotation depth on a big stage.
Thursday’s Stream Team
This segment features three key streaming options ahead of this day’s action. A streamer, according to our criteria, is a player available in at least half of the countries. ESPN Men’s Fantasy Basketball Leagues.
Cameron JohnsonSF/PF, Nets (59.7% registered in ESPN leagues): The Nets paid dearly to retain this gifted spacer, and the results are finally visible. The team needs his two-way game (he has a surprisingly good steal rate), so it’s worth surpassing our 50% benchmark on what is a particularly shallow roster.
Dario SaricFP, Warriors (8.0%): A versatile forward capable of passing, rebounding and spacing, Saric will be busy passing from the top of the post and helping run the team’s offensive engine the way Green does. The floor may be low, but the ceiling is actually quite high.
Duncan RobinsonSG/SF, Heat (13.2%): The shooting specialist actually does a little more. As Zach Lowe recently noted, Robinson’s shooting regimen has evolved toward more balance within the arc. The results are more playmaking and overall production from the undrafted gem. You still get big shooting results, but with just a few more points in the box.
Jaime Jáquez Jr.., Heat (8.2%): The UCLA product is the rising name on this list; it is more used and used than the aging Kyle Lowry and has shown the ability to build diverse lines that include solid bounce and steal rates.
Brandin PodziemskiWarriors (2.3%): Golden State’s rotation doesn’t have many guard levels that exceed the “Splash Brothers,” so this young guard just shined in the Jordan Poole role last time. It’s a risky bet, but “Podz” is a prime target for those looking to score and get some juice.
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.
Brooklyn nets has Miami heat
7:30 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami
CPI projection: Heat by 1.4 in the 2nd highest scoring game on the list.
Injury Report:
Nets: Ben Simmons(OUT – Hip); Cam Thomas(OUT – Ankle)
Heat: RJ Hampton(OUT – Knee); Tyler Herro(OUT – Ankle)
Net projections:
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Mikal BridgesSG/SF: 37.7 FPTS (20.6 pts, 5.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.3 3 p.m.)
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Cameron JohnsonSF/PF: 27.5 FPTS (15.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.5 3pm)
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Spencer DinwiddiePG/SG: 24.9 FPTS (10.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.0 3 p.m.)
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Nicholas ClaxtonPF/C: 23.4 FPTS (10.0 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.0 blk)
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Royce O’NealeSF: 20.5 FPTS (6.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.8 3pm)
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Dorian Finney SmithSF/PF: 19.8 FPTS (9.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.3 3 p.m.)
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Lonnie WalkerSG/SF: 15.2 FPTS (7.6 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.9 ast)
Heat projections:
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Bam AdebayoC: 40.0 FPTS (21.9 pts, 10.8 reb, 4.1 ast)
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Jimmy ButlerSF/PF: 36.6 FPTS (20.9 pts, 5.8 reb, 4.1 ast)
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Duncan RobinsonSG/SF: 23.4 FPTS (13.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.7 3 p.m.)
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Kyle LowryPG: 22.3 FPTS (6.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.6 ast)
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Caleb MartinSG/SF: 19.4 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.1 ast)
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Kevin LovePF/C: 14.2 FPTS (5.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
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Haywood HighsmithSF: 13.4 FPTS (6.1 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Oklahoma City Thunder has Warriors of the Golden State
10:00 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
CPI projection: Thunder by 0.1 in the highest scoring game on the list.
Injury Report:
Thunder: none reported
Warriors: Stephen Curry(OUT – Knee); Green Draymond(OUT – Suspension)
Thunder projections:
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Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPG/SG: 53.4 FPTS (28.6 pts, 7.5 reb, 5.9 ast)
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Jalen WilliamsSG/SF/PF: 31.9 FPTS (17.2 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.5 ast)
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Chet HolmgrenPF/C: 25.7 FPTS (11.9 pts, 9.6 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.0 blk)
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Josh GiddeyPG/SG/PF: 24.9 FPTS (11.8 pts, 5.4 reb, 4.3 ast)
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Luguentz DortSG/SF: 23.6 FPTS (11.7 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
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Kenrich WilliamsSF: 19.4 FPTS (8.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
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Cason WallacePG/SG: 15.2 FPTS (7.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
Warrior Projections:
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Klay ThompsonSG/SF: 32.5 FPTS (20.7 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.4 ast, 3.1 3 p.m.)
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Chris PaulPG: 31.5 FPTS (12.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 6.5 ast)
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Andrew WigginsSF/PF: 23.6 FPTS (16.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.6 ast)
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Dario SaricPF: 23.1 FPTS (10.9 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.3 ast)
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Kevin LooneyPF/C: 22.4 FPTS (8.1 pts, 9.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
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Jonathan KumingaPF: 19.8 FPTS (14.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.2 ast)
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Moses MoodySG: 15.5 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.3 ast)