Fantasy Picks & Betting Tips for Thursday: Maximize Your Opportunities
The NBA presents an exciting matchup on Thursday, featuring a single game between the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns. Both teams aim to recover from recent defeats. However, injuries will significantly impact this contest.
Game Details
- Teams: LA Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns
- Date: Thursday night
- Location: Phoenix
- Time: 9 PM ET
- Broadcast: NBA TV
Injury Report
- Clippers:
- James Harden – OUT (Personal)
- Kawhi Leonard – OUT (Ankle)
- Jordan Miller – OUT (Hamstring)
- Kobe Sanders – OUT (Knee)
- Suns:
- Dillon Brooks – OUT (Groin)
- Jalen Green – GTD (Hamstring)
Fantasy Picks for Thursday
With the injuries affecting player availability, certain individuals stand out as potential fantasy streamers.
Top Fantasy Streamers
- Grayson Allen (SG/PG, Phoenix Suns) – Rostered in 46.9% of ESPN leagues
- Derrick Jones Jr. (SF, LA Clippers) – Rostered in 8.8%
- Kris Dunn (PG, LA Clippers) – Rostered in 4.7%
Allen has logged at least 30 minutes in three consecutive games, contributing over 26 fantasy points in each. He faces a Clippers team allowing the fifth-most points per game to shooting guards.
With Leonard unavailable, Jones Jr. is expected to play a pivotal role. He scored 31 fantasy points in his last game without Leonard.
Dunn’s productivity increases with both Harden and Leonard out. He is effective when given ample playing time, averaging 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per 40 minutes.
Betting Tips
Considering the matchup dynamics and recent performances, here are some betting insights:
- Devin Booker over 39.5 points, rebounds, and assists (-115)
Booker has exceeded this line in five of his first eight games this season. Despite a low-usage game last matchup against the Clippers, he remains a focal point, especially with the return of Jalen Green potentially impacting his playing time.
Odds and Projections
| Line | Money Line | Total | BPI Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clippers +3.5 (-115) | Suns -3.5 (-105) | Clippers +120 | Suns -140 | 224.5 (-110 O, -110 U) | Suns by 4.3, 63% chance of winning, total points projected at 223.3 |
As the Clippers and Suns prepare to clash, managers and bettors alike should focus on injuries, player performance, and matchup statistics to optimize their strategies for fantasy and betting on Thursday night.
