Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Monday
Many fantasy leagues will be decided this week, adding to the gravity of Monday’s games. Two of the six games have spreads of at least 15 points — the Boston Celtics (-16.5) against the Charlotte Hornets and the Portland Trail Blazers visiting the Orlando Magic (-15.5). Such lines can make these contests less than ideal targets for streaming and DFS lineups given the obvious blowout implications. This doesn’t mean we should avoid the stars from the Celtics and Magic, but rather we might want to find value on the margins in other matchups.
The Brooklyn Nets are also heavy underdogs in Indianapolis against the Pacers in a contest with the slate’s highest total (227.5 at ESPN BET). Indiana ranks second in the league in pace and more trips down the court is always invited for fantasy purposes, as is the Nets’ leaky defense. DFS lineups and scoring props centered around human bucket Cam Thomas could prove prudent, while the Pacers bring some value in the likes of two-way wing Aaron Nesmith (8.4% rostered in ESPN men’s basketball leagues). Given Brooklyn’s tired legs after a tilt with the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, don’t be surprised if this game goes over.
The Atlanta Hawks visit the Chicago Bulls in a game that doesn’t really mean much in the sense of playoff seeding or contention consequences, but we do find multiple streaming options emerge from this contest in the section below. The Memphis Grizzlies are uniquely depleted as they visit the Detroit Pistons, but this game also claims some fantasy appeal given the widely available nature of several high-minute players for the Grizzlies. The likes of GG Jackson (11.1%), Santi Aldama (13.3%), and even Scotty Pippen Jr.” title=”Scotty Pippen Jr. posters”>Scotty Pippen Jr. (4.0%) could help those in deeper fantasy leagues with daily transactions.
The marquee game of the night is the nightcap, with the Phoenix Suns in the Big Easy to play the New Orleans Pelicans. The Suns have a unique shooting specialist in Grayson Allen (42.0%), while the Pelicans have a duo of young wings that top the stream team in Herbert Jones (42.5%) and Trey Murphy III (43.1%).
Keep those remotes or apps ready, as Monday night presents a great blend of basketball.
Herbert Jones, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (Rostered in 42.5% of ESPN leagues)
Jones ranks 12th in steal percentage and 30th in block percentage and is an entirely unique force likely bound for an All-Defensive team this season. Jones has an efficient shooting profile to go along with his elite defensive rates and the absence of Brandon Ingram only amplifies Jones’ impact ahead of the Pelicans tilt with the Suns.
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG, Orlando Magic (24.1%)
Speaking of special defensive results, Suggs ranks fifth in steal percentage and brings an atypically high block rate to the floor as well. His increased offensive impact gives him a more complete profile in his third pro season. While the Magic are heavy favorites, Suggs is likely to play big minutes atop a thin backcourt depth chart.
Alex Caruso, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls (1.8%)
Coby White ascended to fantasy stardom earlier this season and Ayo Dosonmu has been awesome of late. but Caruso has been the steady two-way contributor throughout the season with special steal rates. Caruso’s increased playmaking has led him to put up more dynamic stat lines as he goes up against the Hawks tonight.
De’Andre Hunter” title=”De’Andre Hunter posters”>De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks (19%)
Hunter’s peripheral results can prove volatile, but his ability to score as a spacer and cutter have been fairly stable of late. If he can work the glass against Chicago, Hunter has a chance at a strong fantasy performance Monday night.
GG Jackson, PF, Memphis Grizzlies (11.1%)
Between Jackson, Pippen Jr., and Aldama, the Grizzlies decimated rotation offers a number of high-minute plug-and-play candidates. Aldama, who was recently upgraded to questionable, might be the most bankable option but Jackson enters without any injury designation.
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.
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
BPI Projection: Celtics in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaden Springer, (GTD – Knee); Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Hand); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Hamstring); JD Davison, (OUT – Ankle)
Hornets: Aleksej Pokusevski, (GTD – Illness); Cody Martin, (OUT – Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT – Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT – Back); Seth Curry, (OUT – Ankle)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 48.6 FPTS (27.6 pts, 7.2 reb, 4.9 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 40.5 FPTS (24.1 pts, 4.6 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 37.0 FPTS (16.5 pts, 4.8 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 31.3 FPTS (13.5 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 30.1 FPTS (16.9 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.2 blk)
Al Horford, PF/C: 19.0 FPTS (7.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.6 ast)
Sam Hauser, SF: 15.9 FPTS (7.4 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Hornets projections:
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 37.6 FPTS (21.3 pts, 7.1 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 30.8 FPTS (17.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Tre Mann, PG: 28.3 FPTS (13.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.2 ast)
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG: 24.6 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.3 ast)
Nick Richards, C: 22.1 FPTS (9.8 pts, 8.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Grant Williams, PF: 19.8 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.2 ast)
Aleksej Pokusevski, PF/C: 15.3 FPTS (7.1 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.6 ast)
Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Pistons in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: John Konchar, (GTD – Heel); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Illness); Desmond Bane, (OUT – Back); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT – Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT – Personal); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Finger); Derrick Rose, (OUT – Groin); Ja Morant, (OUT – Shoulder); Ziaire Williams, (OUT – Hip)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD – Knee); Marcus Sasser, (GTD – Illness); Taj Gibson, (GTD – Hamstring); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT – Toe); Ausar Thompson, (OUT – Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (OUT – Knee); Stanley Umude, (OUT – Ankle)
Grizzlies projections:
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 34.5 FPTS (22.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.9 3PM, 1.6 blk)
Santi Aldama, PF/C: 24.2 FPTS (10.7 pts, 6.0 reb, 2.3 ast)
GG Jackson, PF: 24.1 FPTS (13.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jake LaRavia, PF: 23.7 FPTS (12.9 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.9 ast)
Scotty Pippen Jr.” title=”Scotty Pippen Jr. posters”>Scotty Pippen Jr., PG: 18.9 FPTS (8.2 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.9 ast)
Luke Kennard, SG: 18.1 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Lamar Stevens, PF: 14.7 FPTS (7.8 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.6 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 36.9 FPTS (21.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 6.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Zavier Simpson, PG: 28.9 FPTS (12.1 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.9 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 26.7 FPTS (11.6 pts, 10.7 reb, 2.2 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 24.0 FPTS (13.8 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.3 ast)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 20.6 FPTS (10.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.8 ast)
James Wiseman, C: 17.6 FPTS (8.2 pts, 6.7 reb, 0.9 ast)
Troy Brown Jr., SF: 17.3 FPTS (9.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
BPI Projection: Pacers in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Nets: Ben Simmons, (OUT – Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT – Lower Leg); Keita Bates-Diop, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT – Shoulder)
Nets projections:
Cam Thomas, SG: 38.5 FPTS (26.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 35.9 FPTS (20.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Nic Claxton, PF/C: 30.8 FPTS (14.5 pts, 10.6 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.8 blk)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 30.6 FPTS (16.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 18.8 FPTS (7.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.3 ast)
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 18.4 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.6 ast)
Dennis Smith Jr., PG: 13.7 FPTS (3.7 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.8 ast)
Pacers projections:
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 42.7 FPTS (19.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 8.1 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Pascal Siakam, PF/C: 40.9 FPTS (22.9 pts, 7.7 reb, 4.0 ast)
Myles Turner, C: 26.6 FPTS (14.9 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.3 blk)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 22.3 FPTS (10.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.6 ast)
T.J. McConnell, PG: 21.4 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.1 ast)
Aaron Nesmith, SF: 20.3 FPTS (11.0 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Jalen Smith, PF/C: 14.9 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.9 ast)
Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando
BPI Projection: Magic in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Jerami Grant, (GTD – Hamstring); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Knee); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT – Elbow); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Ankle); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT – Knee); Toumani Camara, (OUT – Ribs)
Magic: None reported
Blazers projections:
Deandre Ayton, C: 35.5 FPTS (18.6 pts, 11.7 reb, 1.6 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 30.5 FPTS (18.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.3 ast)
Dalano Banton, PG: 24.4 FPTS (13.8 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.5 ast)
Kris Murray, PF: 21.5 FPTS (11.3 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.7 ast)
Jabari Walker, PF: 20.8 FPTS (10.1 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Rayan Rupert, SG: 19.5 FPTS (11.3 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.9 ast)
Duop Reath, C: 18.0 FPTS (9.2 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.0 ast)
Magic projections:
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 39.2 FPTS (22.5 pts, 6.4 reb, 5.6 ast)
Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF: 32.9 FPTS (17.0 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.3 ast)
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 25.3 FPTS (12.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 22.5 FPTS (9.3 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.5 ast)
Cole Anthony, PG: 19.1 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.2 ast)
Moritz Wagner, PF/C: 19.1 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF: 16.4 FPTS (7.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.5 blk)
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. United Center, Chicago
BPI Projection: Bulls in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Jalen Johnson, (GTD – Ankle); Kobe Bufkin, (GTD – Toe); AJ Griffin, (OUT – Ankle); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT – Elbow); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT – Toe); Trae Young, (OUT – Finger); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee)
Bulls: Julian Phillips, (GTD – Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT – Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT – Foot)
Hawks projections:
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 49.4 FPTS (24.8 pts, 5.2 reb, 7.1 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 37.7 FPTS (21.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.8 ast, 3.5 3PM)
De’Andre Hunter” title=”De’Andre Hunter posters”>De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 30.9 FPTS (20.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Clint Capela, C: 28.7 FPTS (14.0 pts, 10.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.3 blk)
Bruno Fernando, C: 19.2 FPTS (9.7 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Vit Krejci, PG: 17.0 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.7 ast)
Garrison Mathews, SG/SF: 11.7 FPTS (5.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.9 ast)
Bulls projections:
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF: 43.7 FPTS (25.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.8 ast)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 37.7 FPTS (18.1 pts, 9.8 reb, 3.0 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 37.6 FPTS (18.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 5.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 31.1 FPTS (15.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.6 ast)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 28.1 FPTS (10.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Andre Drummond, C: 19.2 FPTS (9.1 pts, 7.4 reb, 0.7 ast)
Torrey Craig, SF/PF: 14.0 FPTS (6.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
BPI Projection: Pelicans in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Suns: Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee)
Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, (OUT – Oblique); Brandon Ingram, (OUT – Knee)
Suns projections:
Devin Booker, PG/SG/PF: 45.8 FPTS (26.6 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 44.6 FPTS (27.9 pts, 6.2 reb, 5.4 ast)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 33.3 FPTS (17.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.2 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 24.6 FPTS (10.2 pts, 8.7 reb, 3.2 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 23.4 FPTS (10.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Drew Eubanks, PF: 15.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.2 ast)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 14.3 FPTS (6.7 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.9 ast)
Pelicans projections:
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 41.6 FPTS (22.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.8 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Zion Williamson, PF: 41.4 FPTS (24.4 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.0 ast)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 30.4 FPTS (13.8 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.9 ast)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 29.6 FPTS (13.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.8 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 21.8 FPTS (10.0 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.3 ast)
Naji Marshall, SF: 19.2 FPTS (9.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.9 ast)
Larry Nance Jr., PF/C: 18.3 FPTS (6.4 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.5 ast)