Fantasy streamers and betting tips for Thursday's NBA slate

Thursday's four NBA games are highlighted by some of fantasy basketball's best taking the court for the first time this season: Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs travel to Dallas to face Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, while Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Let's delve deeper to discover some intriguing fantasy streamers and the best odds for the list.

Odds according to ESPN BET

Four bets to be made on Thursday

Kyrie Irving over 22.5 points (-125)

Irving averaged 35 MPG last season and even though the Mavericks added Klay Thompson, Irving should still get plenty of minutes according to our projections. Last season he managed to break that line in 61% of his games and averaged 19 field goal attempts per game. Irving also cleared in two of three games against the Spurs last season. By spreading the floor, Thompson gives Irving more room to work. Additionally, the Spurs had trouble defending point guards last season and that could continue to be an issue.

Aaron Gordon over 5.5 rebounds (-130)

Gordon averaged 6.1 RPG with 30.6 MPG over his last four seasons with the Nuggets. Our forecasts show similar numbers for this year. Last season, Gordon hit that line in 59% of games and went over it in two of three meetings against the Thunder. OKC also led the league in rebounds allowed to forwards. Gordon has committed to Denver as the frontcourt starter and his recent contract extension makes this a good choice.

Donte DiVincenzo over 17.5 points, rebounds and assists (-125)

The Timberwolves' offense was as sharp as a butter knife at a steakhouse on Tuesday night, which isn't surprising given new additions like Julius Randle and DiVincenzo who are still adjusting to the rotation. Spacing was a big issue against the Lakers, but I'm confident Chris Finch and his team will make the right adjustments. DiVincenzo scored from that line in 66% of his games last season with the Knicks. He is one of the early favorites for Sixth Man of the Year and played 32 minutes against the Lakers, showing he will play a key role in this rotation.

Jamal Murray under 30.5 points, rebounds and assists (-115)

Despite his extensive contract extension, Murray enters this season under some pressure. He hasn't been named an All-Star yet and last year's playoff performance left a lot to be desired. His problems continued, with a poor showing by the Canadian team at the Olympics and a lukewarm preseason. Last season, he failed to clear that line in any of the four games against the Thunder. Murray will not only face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but also off-season newcomer Alex Caruso. The Thunder's defense against point guards was solid last season and I expect that trend to continue. It could be a tough evening for Murray.

Top players to incorporate into your fantasy lineup

Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs (available in 65.4% of ESPN leagues)

Johnson is expected to feature again for the Spurs this season after there were many rumors of a move during the offseason. He lost some weight in the offseason to prepare for a complementary role in San Antonio's offense centered around Wembanyama. He averaged 15.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG with 29.6 MPG last season, and Johnson is expected to see similar usage this year. This makes him a good streaming option against the Mavericks in a game that has one of the highest scores on the slate.

Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks (63.9%)

The Mavericks exercised Lively's second-year option on Wednesday, showing their confidence in him. As a rookie, he started in 42 of 55 regular season games and averaged 9.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 1.4 BPG. His outstanding performance in the playoffs, particularly against the Thunder, highlighted his potential. This season, Lively will split minutes with Daniel Gafford, but he remains a worthy streamer in this favorable matchup against a Spurs team that struggled with centers last season.

Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings (60.6%)

Monk revived his career with the Kings. He was a standout off the bench last season, leading the league in points and assists (15.4 PPG and 4.6 APG at 26 MPG). Our predictions show that he can maintain this performance this season. Monk was the runner-up for the Sixth Man Award last year and will have major streaming appeal this season.

Predictions and injury reports

Basketball Power Index from ESPN Analytics. Infringement aggregation from Rotowire.com. Odds according to ESPN BET

Italicized plates are available in at least 50 percent of ESPN leagues.

Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards
7pm ET

Line: Celtics -14.5 (-105) | Wizard 14.5 (-115)
Money line: Celtics -1400 | Wizard 700
In total: 233.5 (-110E, -110U)
BPI forecast: Wizards by 11.9, 83% direct increase, 216.3 total points.

Injury report:
Celtics: Sam Hauser, (GTD – Back); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Foot)
Wizard: Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT – Thumb); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – knee)

Celtics predictions:

• Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 50.9 FPTS (30.2 Pts, 8.9 Reb, 5.8 Ast, 3.1 3PM)

• Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 42.9 FPTS (27.1 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.0 3pm)

• Derrick White, PG/SG: 32.7 FPTS (16.2 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 4.0 Ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 30.2 FPTS (13.2 Points, 6.3 Reb, 4.5 Ast)

• Al Horford, PF/C: 21.3 FPTS (7.9 Points, 7.2 Reb, 2.0 Ast)

• Sam Hauser, SF: 17.8 FPTS (8.6 Points, 3.5 Reb, 1.0 Ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Payton Pritchard, PG: 9.7 FPTS (4.5 pts, 1.1 reb, 1.7 ast)

Wizards projections:

• Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 52.9 FPTS (23.1 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 12.9 Ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 52.0 FPTS (26.4 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 10.5 Ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 27.5 FPTS (15.1 Points, 3.3 Reb, 4.2 Ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Jonas Valanciunas, C: 22.9 FPTS (11.4 Points, 6.6 Reb, 3.1 Ast)

• Bilal Coulibaly, SF: 20.6 FPTS (10.0 Points, 3.8 Reb, 2.7 Ast)

• Alex Sarr, PF/C: 18.8 FPTS (7.8 Points, 3.2 Reb, 3.3 Ast)

• Marvin Bagley III, PF/C: 15.4 FPTS (7.3 Points, 4.0 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks
7:30 p.m. ET on TNT

Line: Spores 8.5 (-110) | Mavericks -8.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs 315 | Mavericks -400
In total: 229.5 (-110E, -110U)
BPI forecast: Spurs by 9.8, 79% direct increase, 216.8 total points.

Injury report:
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (OUT – Foot)
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (OUT – Wrist)

Spurs predictions:

• Victor Wembanyama, C: 39.7 FPTS (20.1 Pts, 10.4 Reb, 4.1 Ast, 1.8 3PM, 3.7 Blk)

• Jeremy Sochan, PF: 23.6 FPTS (11.6 Points, 5.7 Reb, 2.4 Ast)

• Tre Jones, PG: 22.5 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Chris Paul, PG: 21.9 FPTS (6.8 Points, 3.0 Reb, 4.2 Ast)

• Keldon Johnson, SF: 21.8 FPTS (12.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.1 ast)

• Harrison Barnes, PF: 16.9 FPTS (9.0 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.5 ast)

• Zach Collins, PF/C: 14.7 FPTS (7.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.1 ast)

Mavericks predictions:

• Luka Doncic, PG: 57.3 FPTS (29.3 Pts, 9.9 Reb, 7.9 Ast, 3.7 3PM)

• Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 42.2 FPTS (23.0 Pts, 4.6 Reb, 6.0 Ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 27.4 FPTS (16.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.4 ast, 3.0 3pm)

• PJ Washington, PF: 26.5 FPTS (13.4 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.1 3pm)

• Dereck Lively II, C: 16.5 FPTS (7.4 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 1.1 Ast, 1.2 Blk)

• Naji Marshall, SF: 16.3 FPTS (7.6 Points, 3.3 Reb, 1.7 Ast)

• Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG: 13.8 FPTS (6.2 Points, 1.4 Reb, 2.4 Ast)

Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets
10 p.m. ET on TNT

Line: Thunder 1.5 (-105) | Nuggets -1.5 (-115)
Money line: Thunder 110 | Nuggets -130
In total: 227.5 (-110E, -110U)
BPI forecast: Thunder by 2.5, direct increase of 58%, 224.5 total points.

Injury report:
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Kenrich Williams, (OUT – Knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Hand)
Nuggets: None reported

Thunder forecasts:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: 48.7 FPTS (29.2 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.4 ast)

• Jalen Williams, PF: 34.7 FPTS (20.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.1 ast)

• Chet Holmgren, C: 29.2 FPTS (17.3 pts, 7.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.4 blk)

• Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 22.8 FPTS (9.1 Points, 2.9 Reb, 3.4 Ast)

• Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 19.3 FPTS (10.0 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 1.5 Ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Cason Wallace, SG: 13.9 FPTS (6.5 Points, 1.8 Reb, 1.2 Ast)

• Isaiah Joe, SG: 12.7 FPTS (6.9 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.1 ast)

Nuggets projections:

• Nikola Jokic, C: 57.3 FPTS (28.1 Points, 12.0 Reb, 8.3 Ast)

• Jamal Murray, PG: 43.7 FPTS (27.2 pts, 4.4 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.3 3pm)

• Aaron Gordon, PF: 31.9 FPTS (17.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 3.8 ast)

• Michael Porter Jr., SF: 31.2 FPTS (18.8 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.7 3pm)

• Russell Westbrook, PG: 26.9 FPTS (13.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.3 ast)

• Christian Braun, SG: 17.4 FPTS (9.7 points, 3.6 Reb, 1.2 Ast)

• Dario Saric, PF: 13.2 FPTS (7.0 points, 2.9 reb, 1.3 ast)

Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET

Line: Timberwolves -1.5 (-105) | Kings 1.5 (-115)
Money line: Timberwolves -120 | Even kings
In total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI forecast: Timberwolves by 0, straight 50%, 224.0 total points.

Injury report:
Timberwolves: None reported
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT – Shoulder); Orlando Robinson, (OUT – Knee)

Timberwolves Predictions:

• Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 45.2 FPTS (26.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.1 3pm)

• Julius Randle, PF: 38.9 FPTS (23.0 Points, 7.7 Reb, 5.2 Ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 25.3 FPTS (12.2 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.8 3pm)

• Rudy Gobert, C: 24.2 FPTS (12.2 Pts, 9.1 Reb, 1.5 Ast, 1.2 BLK)

• Mike Conley, PG: 18.7 FPTS (6.4 Points, 2.1 Reb, 3.9 Ast)

• Naz Reid, PF/C: 18.1 FPTS (9.8 Points, 3.4 Reb, 1.3 Ast)

• Rob Dillingham, PG: 14.7 FPTS (7.9 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.1 ast)

Kings projections:

• Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 66.6 FPTS (18.7 Points, 12.2 Reb, 19.6 Ast)

• De'Aaron Fox, PG: 57.8 FPTS (26.2 pts, 4.1 reb, 11.1 ast, 2.7 3pm)

• DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 46.8 FPTS (26.8 Points, 3.6 Reb, 8.3 Ast)

• Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 28.6 FPTS (15.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.4 3pm)

• Malik Monk, SG/SF: 27.8 FPTS (10.2 points, 1.8 reb, 7.6 ast)

• Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 15.0 FPTS (7.1 points, 1.6 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

• Keon Ellis, SG: 14.0 FPTS (4.9 Points, 2.1 Reb, 2.1 Ast)