Fantasy Basketball Streaming Targets: Top Thursday Matchups and Waiver Wire Advice
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Thursday.
After a day in which we had limited streamers on Wednesday, we have all three of our top targets in action today. Fantasy sports are about finding the best players and the best production; the best players are easier to identify.
When we have great targets to go after, it makes it easier to find streamers because we get players going against some of the worst defensive teams in the league who play at the fastest paces. It's a bit like Christmas Day for those into streamers (we're an odd group).
Let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Thursday. We'll focus on the guys who get on the court and are widely available in fantasy leagues. Most stats are from NBA.com.
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Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
Washington plays at the sixth-fastest pace and has the third-worst defensive rating. With about a month-and-a-half left in the season, the Wizards are one of six teams in position to finish with the worst record in the league. Those are the teams chasing the best odds in the lottery (Sacramento, New Orleans, Utah, Indiana, and Brooklyn join the Wiz).
The Hawks are 12-10 since the day that Trae Young was traded (January 7). Young wasn't playing at the time, so it's not like there was a major lineup shift, but it's encouraging that the team has been above water since their star ended up in Washington, and it makes Atlanta likely to make the play-in tournament.
Guard
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is questionable for this game, and if he is out, that would open a few more minutes here, particularly for Kispert. Neither Kispert nor Vincent has done much since being acquired by Atlanta, but if Alexander-Walker is out (along with a forward or two), then Kispert would have a little streaming value.
Forward
Both Jalen Johnson and Risacher are questionable for this game, and the absence of one or both would help Kispert and Kuminga greatly. Kuminga made his debut with the Hawks Tuesday against these same Wizards and finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Kuminga is a good pickup today and might be a worthy guy to hang onto the rest of the way. Risacher isn't a great option even if he plays.
Center
Landale and Gueye are both reserve guys who don't put up many stats. There will be a few more minutes for Gueye if Johnson is out, but he's still not likely to be a good fantasy performer today.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz
Utah plays at the second-fastest pace and has the worst defensive rating in the league. I mentioned above that they are one of the six teams in position to finish among the best lottery odds, and the Jazz need to stay within the top eight picks to keep their first rounder away from OKC. There is sure to be a lot of losing in Utah the rest of the way.
The Pelicans are just one game better than the Jazz, fitting nicely into that bottom group. Unlike Utah, New Orleans owes their first-round pick to the Hawks no matter where it ends up, so they have reason to keep playing their best without worry of draft position. It's a less stressful but also more depressing situation.
Guard
Murray played his first game in over a year on Tuesday after suffering a torn Achilles last season. He was on a 25-minute limit, something that is likely to remain for the immediate future (or maybe the rest of the season). Murray is undoubtedly talented, but it's hard to know what to expect right away. He's an upside play if you need a guard or have a roster spot to use.
The rookie Fears has shown flashes of what made him a top-10 pick this year but also with expected growing pains for a guy who turned 19 in October. While his future is bright, Fears is a bit limited as a fantasy player right now.
Forward
Bey is the best from this group, averaging 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds with nearly one steal and two 3-pointers per game. He's owned in about 50% of leagues, but if you can get him, Bey is a strong streamer. Jones is a lesser player across the board and not really someone we're looking at in fantasy outside of deep leagues.
Matkovic has scored in double figures in three of his past five dating back before the All-Star break, but he's a low-level fantasy player, a full step below Bey and Jones.
Center
Yves Missi hasn't played since early February and remains out here. Jordan has played two games since the break, combining for 12 points, 23 rebounds, and six blocks in 54 minutes. Jordan is a decent low-level streamer if you're looking for boards and blocks.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Chicago Bulls
Chicago plays at the fifth-fastest pace and has the sixth-worst defensive rating. The Bulls have lost all 10 of their games in February, and this will be their last chance to win this month. Win or lose, it's going to be a long final six weeks.
The Blazers are currently ninth in the West, but they're not in much danger of falling out of the play-in unless they bottom out hard the rest of the way. The 11th-place team is five games back, and while that's not insurmountable, the Grizzlies and Mavericks aren't exactly setting the world on fire to catch Portland.
Guard
Camara is owned in close to half of leagues but still has enough availability to check on. He's averaging the most minutes of any active Blazer and produces 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, one steal, and 2.6 3-pointers per game.
Henderson has intrigue because he was the third overall pick in 2023, but he has played just seven games this season, not making his debut until February. He has scored more than 10 points in all seven while averaging 5.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds.
Forward
I remain surprised that Grant stays available in so many leagues given his 29.2 minutes and 18.6 points per game, but he doesn't add much else outside of 2.3 3-pointers per game. Murray missed a month-and-a-half before returning after the All-Star break, and though he isn't a great fantasy player, he did score 16 points in 29 minutes in the most recent game.
Center
Williams is questionable with a foot injury after missing Tuesday's game against Minnesota. Even if he's on the court, Williams isn't much of a fantasy player, relegated to a backup role.
