A theme of the spring season is growth, the emergence of a budding new wave. This extends to the NBA, as this is a phase when we see teams increasingly rely on younger players to carry the load. This is particularly true on teams that aren't in contention, such as the Detroit Pistons empowering Jaden Ivey (47.7% rostered in ESPN leagues) in these final games of the season. A macro view of Thursday's five-game slate includes a focus on these promising prospects.
After a slow start to his second professional season, Ivey has ascended as a key scorer and playmaker in Motown. This role figures to continue against the Chicago Bulls, vaulting Ivey into the streaming tier and DFS value that demands attention.
We witness this trend take shape on the Utah Jazz, as rookie Keyonte George (9.8%) looks to finish strong amid the absences of several veterans on the roster ahead of tonight's tip against the visiting Houston Rockets. Fellow rookie Scoot Henderson (54.3%) is flashing elite creation skills ahead of an important offseason for the Portland Trail Blazers. Henderson just established a new franchise rookie record with 15 assists. Look for him to play major minutes as the pick-and-roll maestro against the Golden State Warriors this evening. The stream team includes another high-scoring backcourt Trail Blazer below.
We can use betting intel as an indicator for some of Thursday's matchups. For instance, the 62-win Boston Celtics are home underdogs to the New York Knicks. This outlier line signals the Celtics plan to sit several starters as they prepare for the playoffs. It would be wise to proactively roster Payton Pritchard (6.5%), as he's likely to run the show for Boston tonight and makes for a fun target in redraft, daily fantasy and assist and shooting prop markets.
The game of the night features the New Orleans Pelicans visiting the Sacramento Kings in a rare contest between two teams with sincere motivation to win. The Pelicans remain without Brandon Ingram, while the Kings won't have Kevin Huerter or Malik Monk. Such absences have trickle-down ramifications in each rotation that we will discuss in the streaming section below.
Thursday's Stream Team
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans (Rostered in 43.1% of ESPN leagues)
The return of Dyson Daniels hasn't curbed Murphy's opportunity rates in part because of Ingram's continued absence. Fresh off a big 31-point showing and matched with a Kings team that lacks strong defensive presence on the wing, Murphy and teammate Herbert Jones (37.6%) are positioned for success on Thursday.
Amen Thompson, SG, Houston Rockets (30.6%)
A revival outing against the Magic saw Thompson flirt with a double-double while showing off his elite defensive rates. The Rockets have ruled out several frontcourt players tonight, so small-ball looks could benefit this rookie once again.
Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics (6.5%)
The aforementioned guard has flashed real success in plug-and-play stints already this season. With deep shooting range and real craft distributing the ball to the team's bevy of shooters, Pritchard has double-double potential ahead of a matchup with the Knicks.
Dalano Banton, PG, Portland Trail Blazers (15.6%)
Thriving as a scorer alongside Henderson, Banton is vying to stick with the Trail Blazers as a rotation contributor next fall. His ability to score on an island and some impressive passing and rebounding results reveal impact fantasy value for tonight's matchup with the Warriors.
Projections and injury reports
Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics. * Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.
Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Bulls in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Ankle); Andre Drummond, (GTD - Ankle); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD - Quadriceps); Julian Phillips, (OUT - Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT - Toe); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle)
Bulls projections:
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF: 42.9 FPTS (28.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.3 ast)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 35.4 FPTS (17.6 pts, 9.9 reb, 3.3 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 34.5 FPTS (19.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 25.5 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 22.2 FPTS (10.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.3 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 14.7 FPTS (7.4 pts, 5.7 reb, 0.5 ast)
Torrey Craig, SF/PF: 9.7 FPTS (4.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 0.7 ast)
Pistons projections:
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 25.8 FPTS (16.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.8 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 23.0 FPTS (11.2 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.6 ast)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 19.8 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.0 ast)
Evan Fournier, SG/SF: 17.5 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.5 ast)
James Wiseman, C: 16.8 FPTS (8.8 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.0 ast)
Troy Brown Jr., SF: 14.2 FPTS (6.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 ast)
Malachi Flynn, PG: 13.4 FPTS (6.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.1 ast)
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Duane Washington Jr., (GTD - Knee); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder)
Celtics: Al Horford, (GTD - Toe); Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Hand); Jayson Tatum, (GTD - Knee); Jrue Holiday, (GTD - Knee); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Hamstring); Xavier Tillman, (GTD - Knee)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG: 47.0 FPTS (30.8 pts, 3.4 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 33.0 FPTS (18.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 29.2 FPTS (11.4 pts, 8.4 reb, 4.5 ast)
OG Anunoby, SF: 24.8 FPTS (14.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C: 23.7 FPTS (8.5 pts, 7.5 reb, 2.7 ast)
Miles McBride, PG: 17.7 FPTS (9.9 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.5 ast)
Mitchell Robinson, C: 12.1 FPTS (4.7 pts, 5.0 reb, 0.7 ast)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 42.6 FPTS (24.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 4.8 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 37.8 FPTS (22.9 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 29.7 FPTS (12.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 25.5 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.7 ast)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 23.7 FPTS (12.6 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.7 blk)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 14.8 FPTS (6.0 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.5 ast)
Sam Hauser, SF: 13.5 FPTS (5.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
BPI Projection: Rockets in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Jae'Sean Tate, (OUT - Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Jazz: Collin Sexton, (OUT - Illness); John Collins, (OUT - Back); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT - Back); Kris Dunn, (OUT - Foot); Walker Kessler, (OUT - Nose); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Shoulder)
Rockets projections:
Fred VanVleet, PG: 38.2 FPTS (17.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 7.0 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Jalen Green, SG: 36.9 FPTS (23.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 29.9 FPTS (16.7 pts, 7.5 reb, 2.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Amen Thompson, SG: 27.5 FPTS (13.4 pts, 7.3 reb, 2.5 ast)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 21.1 FPTS (12.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Jock Landale, C: 15.4 FPTS (7.5 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.4 ast)
Cam Whitmore, SF: 15.4 FPTS (9.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 0.7 ast)
Jazz projections:
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 28.4 FPTS (17.3 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 22.8 FPTS (13.7 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.2 ast)
Omer Yurtseven, C: 21.5 FPTS (12.4 pts, 7.5 reb, 1.2 ast)
Taylor Hendricks, PF: 21.3 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.2 ast)
Brice Sensabaugh, SF: 18.7 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.1 ast)
Luka Samanic, PF: 18.3 FPTS (13.2 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.0 ast)
Micah Potter, C: 10.0 FPTS (4.3 pts, 3.5 reb, 0.8 ast)
Golden State Warriors at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
BPI Projection: Warriors in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Dario Saric, (GTD - Knee); Draymond Green, (GTD - Knee)
Blazers: Anfernee Simons, (OUT - Knee); Jerami Grant, (OUT - Hamstring); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Ankle); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Toumani Camara, (OUT - Ribs)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 40.9 FPTS (24.6 pts, 4.1 reb, 5.1 ast, 4.3 3PM)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 25.3 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.4 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 23.1 FPTS (8.3 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.8 ast)
Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF: 23.1 FPTS (11.4 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.6 blk)
Brandin Podziemski, SG: 22.4 FPTS (9.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.2 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 21.6 FPTS (12.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.1 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 20.8 FPTS (12.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.9 ast)
Blazers projections:
Deandre Ayton, C: 38.2 FPTS (20.5 pts, 11.8 reb, 1.9 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 29.6 FPTS (18.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.6 ast)
Jabari Walker, PF: 25.0 FPTS (13.0 pts, 8.9 reb, 1.5 ast)
Dalano Banton, PG: 22.3 FPTS (12.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.7 ast)
Rayan Rupert, SG: 20.0 FPTS (13.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.2 ast)
Kris Murray, PF: 19.5 FPTS (10.6 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.4 ast)
Duop Reath, C: 12.2 FPTS (6.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.0 ast)
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
BPI Projection: Kings in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Naji Marshall, (GTD - Shoulder); Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Knee)
Kings: None reported
Pelicans projections:
Zion Williamson, PF: 39.6 FPTS (25.2 pts, 6.1 reb, 4.9 ast)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 37.8 FPTS (22.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.4 ast, 3.6 3PM)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 29.7 FPTS (15.8 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.0 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 26.0 FPTS (12.6 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.6 ast)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 22.6 FPTS (11.1 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.2 ast)
Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 18.3 FPTS (7.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.3 ast)
Larry Nance Jr., PF/C: 18.1 FPTS (6.3 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.2 ast)
Kings projections:
De'Aaron Fox, PG: 47.7 FPTS (29.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 41.2 FPTS (18.7 pts, 12.1 reb, 6.9 ast)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 28.2 FPTS (16.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Keon Ellis, SG: 20.3 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Trey Lyles, PF: 16.1 FPTS (8.1 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.2 ast)
Harrison Barnes, SF/PF: 16.1 FPTS (10.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 0.9 ast)
Davion Mitchell, PG: 13.8 FPTS (8.1 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.7 ast)