Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Monday
This week of NBA action opens with a six-game Monday slate that features some sizable favorites. The presence of comfortable favorites, however, doesn’t preclude us from identifying actionable fantasy moves ahead of tip-off.
Before diving into tonight’s six-pack of games, let’s quickly reflect on a series of significant injury scenarios that have ripple effects in statistical terms. We know Karl-Anthony Towns will be out for the remainder of the regular season because of a knee injury, vaulting Naz Reid (49.2%) to must-add status now that the 3-and-D big man will take on major minutes.
With Rudy Gobert sitting out Sunday night, Reid played 42 minutes and went off for 25 points, five 3-pointers, and four blocks in a competitive loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Even with Gobert expected back for the team’s matchup with the LA Clippers Tuesday, Reid is positioned as a major offensive cog while mimicking “KAT’s” role.
An impact injury occurred Sunday night after Alperen Sengun suffered an apparent leg injury. More details will emerge Monday, but if the budding star is set to miss time, rookie wing Amen Thompson (19.8%) could see more run in small-ball lineups for the Rockets. Jock Landale (0.8%) would be the traditional replacement in Sengun.
Focusing back on Monday’s action, the Detroit Pistons are currently home favorites over the visiting Charlotte Hornets. The 10-win Pistons are 4.5-point favorites at ESPN BET but a with LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann and others out for Charlotte this evening, it makes sense. This means more work for Vasilije Micic (4.6%), fresh off his first NBA double-double over the weekend.
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It seems the Cleveland Cavaliers could be short-handed against the visiting — and favored — Phoenix Suns Monday night. Isaac Okoro (10.8%) has surprisingly emerged as a viable play for Cleveland and fantasy managers, while Caris LeVert (50.5%) also merits attention given Donovan Mitchell‘s potential absence.
The Toronto Raptors are also positioned as massive underdogs in Denver, playing without Scottie Barnes or Jakob Poeltl. I’d still want to roster Immanuel Quickley in DFS lineups and for prop angles, while Gary Trent Jr. earns an endorsement below.
The continued absence of Stephen Curry influences some selections in our stream team, while the return of Victor Wembanyama adds some spice to the Spurs matchup against Golden State. The nightcap of Monday’s slate features the Portland Trail Blazers hosting the Boston Celtics, with Portland presenting major value from the backcourt with Dalano Banton (5.4%).
The injury reports around the league are active tonight, so keep an eye on official lineup cards as you curate your roster decisions for Monday.
Dalano Banton, PG, Portland Trail Blazers (Rostered in 5.4% of ESPN leagues)
Banton’s rapid ascent has been impressive. Portland has empowered him in the wake of Malcolm Brogdon‘s injury and Banton has displayed a deft scoring touch and atypically good rebounding rate driving his fantasy value. Boston’s backcourt is stocked with talent, but also enters Monday night with some injury concerns as Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are both listed as questionable. Banton remains a strong streaming candidate for fantasy managers.
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF, Detroit Pistons (45.4%)
Don’t let Thompson’s 11-minute showing over the weekend discourage you. He was dealing with an illness is off the injury report for Monday night’s matchup against the reeling Hornets. Thompson has regularly played big minutes and has awesome potential to deliver a big line against poor Charlotte defense.
Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls (24.9%)
Not many players in free agency can match Dosunmu’s blend of passing and defensive production. He is a rare combo guard with size that can find his own shot and create for others. He has a matchup with the Mavericks on Monday night that claims the highest point total on the slate (232.5 at ESPN BET).
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets (4.6%)
The Hornets will be without two lead guards this evening while facing a porous Detroit Pistons defense. Micic is a savvy pick-and-roll operator with the ability to find his own shot and is a strong play for streaming value and assist props.
Gary Trent Jr. PG/SG, Toronto Raptors (17.3%)
The depleted Raptors will need some added offense facing the reigning champs on the road. Trent Jr., brings confidence from well beyond the arc and has sported one of the better steal rates over the past two seasons.
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.
Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Pistons in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD – Groin); Bryce McGowens, (OUT – Knee); LaMelo Ball, (OUT – Ankle); Cody Martin, (OUT – Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT – Back); Seth Curry, (OUT – Ankle)
Pistons: Quentin Grimes, (GTD – Knee)
Hornets projections:
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 40.8 FPTS (21.9 pts, 7.7 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 32.1 FPTS (18.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG: 26.2 FPTS (13.4 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.0 ast)
Grant Williams, PF: 23.4 FPTS (11.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Nick Richards, C: 22.4 FPTS (9.9 pts, 8.9 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.4 blk)
Tre Mann, PG: 22.1 FPTS (9.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.2 ast)
Davis Bertans, PF: 13.0 FPTS (6.0 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.0 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 41.2 FPTS (24.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 7.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF: 34.0 FPTS (16.4 pts, 8.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 30.3 FPTS (12.9 pts, 11.9 reb, 2.6 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 29.6 FPTS (18.2 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.7 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 24.4 FPTS (12.0 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.9 ast)
Simone Fontecchio, SF: 17.0 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.6 ast)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 12.1 FPTS (5.9 pts, 1.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
BPI Projection: Suns in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Suns: Devin Booker, (GTD – Ankle); Eric Gordon, (OUT – Knee); Josh Okogie, (OUT – Abdomen); Nassir Little, (OUT – Knee); Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee)
Cavaliers: Darius Garland, (GTD – Wrist); Dean Wade, (GTD – Personal); Donovan Mitchell, (GTD – Knee); Max Strus, (GTD – Knee); Tristan Thompson, (OUT – Suspension); Evan Mobley, (OUT – Ankle); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 49.5 FPTS (30.8 pts, 7.0 reb, 6.0 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 34.9 FPTS (19.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.9 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 29.4 FPTS (12.5 pts, 10.1 reb, 3.8 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 27.9 FPTS (12.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Royce O’Neale, SF: 26.7 FPTS (10.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Thaddeus Young, PF: 17.0 FPTS (6.3 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.1 ast)
Drew Eubanks, PF: 16.6 FPTS (8.2 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Cavaliers projections:
Jarrett Allen, C: 41.1 FPTS (19.6 pts, 12.2 reb, 2.9 ast)
Darius Garland, PG: 37.8 FPTS (21.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 6.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 36.3 FPTS (18.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 5.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 24.6 FPTS (14.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Georges Niang, PF: 21.9 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Sam Merrill, SG: 15.8 FPTS (7.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Dean Wade, PF: 13.1 FPTS (4.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Dallas Mavericks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. United Center, Chicago
BPI Projection: Mavericks in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: None reported
Bulls: Torrey Craig, (GTD – Ankle); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT – Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT – Foot)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 61.1 FPTS (34.5 pts, 9.4 reb, 9.3 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 45.7 FPTS (26.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.5 ast, 3.0 3PM)
P.J. Washington, PF: 25.8 FPTS (14.0 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 19.8 FPTS (8.8 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.4 blk)
Josh Green, SG/SF: 16.7 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Dereck Lively II, C: 16.2 FPTS (7.0 pts, 5.0 reb, 0.9 ast)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 14.8 FPTS (8.4 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Bulls projections:
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF: 44.1 FPTS (27.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.0 ast)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 41.4 FPTS (20.3 pts, 11.3 reb, 3.1 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 40.5 FPTS (21.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 30.9 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.0 ast)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 22.5 FPTS (6.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.6 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 17.9 FPTS (8.3 pts, 7.8 reb, 0.5 ast)
Torrey Craig, SF/PF: 14.4 FPTS (5.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.0 ast)
Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Warriors in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Draymond Green, (GTD – Back); Moses Moody, (GTD – Knee); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Ankle)
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (GTD – Hip); Cedi Osman, (OUT – Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee)
Warriors projections:
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 32.1 FPTS (19.1 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.5 ast)
Chris Paul, PG: 29.0 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.8 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 28.6 FPTS (10.4 pts, 7.7 reb, 5.9 ast)
Brandin Podziemski, SG: 28.6 FPTS (11.2 pts, 6.6 reb, 4.2 ast)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 25.1 FPTS (14.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 21.5 FPTS (12.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.2 ast)
Moses Moody, SG: 18.9 FPTS (11.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 38.9 FPTS (19.6 pts, 8.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 3.3 blk)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 32.4 FPTS (17.7 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 25.4 FPTS (12.3 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.7 ast)
Tre Jones, PG: 22.9 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.9 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 22.7 FPTS (10.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.3 ast)
Malaki Branham, SG: 20.7 FPTS (11.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.2 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 20.6 FPTS (10.5 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
Toronto Raptors at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver
BPI Projection: Nuggets in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (GTD – Knee); Chris Boucher, (GTD – Knee); D.J. Carton, (GTD – Ankle); RJ Barrett, (GTD – Illness); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Hand)
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee)
Raptors projections:
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 43.2 FPTS (23.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.8 3PM)
RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 37.0 FPTS (22.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C: 28.8 FPTS (11.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.1 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 26.5 FPTS (15.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Gradey Dick, SG: 21.9 FPTS (12.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Chris Boucher, PF/C: 17.3 FPTS (8.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 0.7 ast)
Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 15.4 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 0.9 ast)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 59.0 FPTS (27.7 pts, 13.0 reb, 7.9 ast)
Jamal Murray, PG: 41.3 FPTS (22.2 pts, 4.4 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 32.2 FPTS (16.9 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Aaron Gordon, PF: 29.7 FPTS (14.3 pts, 6.4 reb, 3.2 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 22.3 FPTS (11.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Reggie Jackson, PG: 17.7 FPTS (7.3 pts, 1.7 reb, 3.4 ast)
Christian Braun, SG: 15.8 FPTS (7.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.4 ast)
Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
10:30 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
BPI Projection: Celtics in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Derrick White, (GTD – Hand); Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Pelvis); Jayson Tatum, (GTD – Ankle); Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Knee); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Hamstring); Svi Mykhailiuk, (OUT – Personal)
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Hamstring); Jabari Walker, (OUT – Hip); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT – Elbow); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT – Knee)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 48.8 FPTS (29.8 pts, 8.0 reb, 5.2 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 41.7 FPTS (25.6 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 32.6 FPTS (14.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.4 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 30.3 FPTS (14.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Xavier Tillman, PF/C: 15.9 FPTS (7.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.5 ast)
Sam Hauser, SF: 14.4 FPTS (6.8 pts, 2.5 reb, 0.9 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Payton Pritchard, PG: 13.4 FPTS (5.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Blazers projections:
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 40.8 FPTS (23.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.8 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Deandre Ayton, C: 28.1 FPTS (12.8 pts, 9.4 reb, 1.7 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 21.9 FPTS (12.0 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.6 ast)
Kris Murray, PF: 21.1 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.6 ast)
Dalano Banton, PG: 20.8 FPTS (11.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Toumani Camara, PF: 20.5 FPTS (9.4 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Duop Reath, C: 19.0 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.0 ast)