Fantasy basketball tips and projections for New Year’s Day
More Teams. More Games.
Andre Snellings has Khris Middleton and Isaac Okoro as his best bet and top fantasy streamer respectively for Monday’s NBA action. (1:14)
On the final NBA slate of 2023, Sunday saw several fun fantasy outcomes unfold. The Sacramento Kings, for instance, enjoyed a big boost from bench microwave Malik Monk in a drubbing of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Monk produced 27 points in just 21 minutes. Available in free agency in 60% of ESPN men’s basketball leagues, Monk isn’t just providing scoring pop for the Kings and fantasy managers, as he’s also delivering more than five dimes per game.
Speaking of sudden scorers, the Portland Trail Blazers might get ascendant guard Shaedon Sharpe back in the mix on Monday evening, as he’s been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns.
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Shifting our focus to this New Year’s Day slate, we find eight teams in action in what bodes to be a fun night of hoops. After all, the day includes the single highest total of this entire NBA season, as the Indiana Pacers visit the Milwaukee Bucks with a total of 260.5 points. No, really.
Bruce Brown is listed as doubtful for Indiana, vaulting Aaron Nesmith into an important role, as we discuss more in the section below. Finding paths to this game for DFS stacks and streaming options could prove rewarding. The only question is what happens to the game ball afterwards.
Another fantasy friendly tilt features the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Utah Jazz. The game claims a total of 245.5 points and we are likely to see the anticipated return of Kyrie Irving to the floor for Dallas, as he’s been upgraded to questionable for this one. We should watch closely to see how Dante Exum performs now that Irving is back in the mix.
Be aware of today’s matinee in Madison Square Garden featuring the new-look New York Knicks in the wake of this past weekend’s massive trade. Is Donte DiVincenzo the new Immanuel Quickley for the Knicks? Which is to say, can he build off of Saturday’s career-high 38 points against the league’s top defense today?
Speaking of Quickley, he makes his debut for the Toronto Raptors against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. As I advised once this deal went down, you should quickly add Quickley in all formats.
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG, Raptors (41.2%): The days of dreaming about Quickley getting more time with the Knicks have concluded, and now we might actually see this dynamic scoring guard flourish in a full-time role. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are still depleted defensively by a wave of injuries, setting up “IQ” as a smart play.
Aaron Nesmith, SG/SF, Pacers (5.9%): Found at ninth among small forwards over the past two weeks on the Player Rater – which is a helpful index of relative statistical value – Nesmith has been a prolific shooter this season. Hitting on nearly half of his shots from deep and working with a world class point guard, this elite efficiency can sustain into tonight’s matchup with the Bucks.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF, Heat (29.8%): Miami lists Jimmy Butler as out against the Clippers tonight due to a lingering foot issue, while Caleb Martin is doubtful. With two starting wings off the floor, this rising rookie should see plenty of exposure in a matchup that should empower him to score and defend for at least 30 minutes of run this evening.
Collin Sexton, PG/SG, Jazz (55.5%): Not so far removed from being an ascendant scoring guard for the Cavaliers, Sexton’s time with the Jazz has been somewhat quiet. This has changed in recent weeks, with the Alabama product back to scoring in bunches and starting regularly for Utah, a welcome sign ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Mavericks.
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.
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
3:00 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York
BPI Projection: Knicks by 0.4 in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (GTD – Achilles)
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 43.6 FPTS (25.7 pts, 5.3 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 39.2 FPTS (20.9 pts, 9.3 reb, 3.3 ast)
Rudy Gobert, C: 30.2 FPTS (13.7 pts, 11.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.8 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 25.6 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 23.0 FPTS (12.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.3 ast)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 19.0 FPTS (9.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 18.8 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.6 ast)
Knicks projections:
Julius Randle, PF: 45.8 FPTS (27.0 pts, 9.3 reb, 5.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG: 43.2 FPTS (25.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 2.7 3PM)
RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 24.6 FPTS (16.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 21.9 FPTS (13.1 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.2 ast)
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C: 21.2 FPTS (9.5 pts, 7.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 21.2 FPTS (8.1 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.4 ast)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 16.8 FPTS (7.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
BPI Projection: Raptors by 3.6 in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle); Darius Garland, (OUT – Jaw); Evan Mobley, (OUT – Knee); Ricky Rubio, (OUT – Personal)
Raptors: Malachi Flynn, (OUT – Ankle); Garrett Temple, (GTD – Ankle); Christian Koloko, (OUT – Illness)
Cavaliers projections:
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 51.1 FPTS (30.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.5 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Jarrett Allen, C: 31.6 FPTS (14.0 pts, 9.0 reb, 3.0 ast)
Max Strus, SG/SF: 28.2 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 22.1 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.0 ast)
Craig Porter, SG: 20.7 FPTS (10.3 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.9 ast)
Dean Wade, PF: 19.2 FPTS (7.3 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 19.1 FPTS (9.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.9 ast)
Raptors projections:
Scottie Barnes, SF/PF: 43.6 FPTS (21.7 pts, 8.9 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.1 3PM, 1.6 blk)
Pascal Siakam, PF/C: 41.8 FPTS (23.6 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.2 ast)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 31.5 FPTS (14.6 pts, 2.5 reb, 6.4 ast)
O.G. Anunoby, SF: 25.6 FPTS (13.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jakob Poeltl, C: 21.5 FPTS (9.1 pts, 6.9 reb, 2.1 ast)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 21.3 FPTS (12.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C: 14.2 FPTS (5.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 ast)
Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets
8:00 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston
BPI Projection: Rockets by 9.3 in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Toe); Monte Morris, (OUT – Quadriceps)
Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Tari Eason, (GTD – Lower Leg); Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Oblique); Victor Oladipo, (OUT – Knee)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 44.0 FPTS (26.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Bojan Bogdanovic, SF/PF: 33.5 FPTS (20.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Jalen Duren, C: 32.6 FPTS (14.8 pts, 11.7 reb, 2.6 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 25.5 FPTS (14.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.0 ast)
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C: 17.8 FPTS (10.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 0.9 ast)
Alec Burks, SG: 15.0 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.1 ast)
Killian Hayes, PG: 14.5 FPTS (5.3 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.9 ast)
Rockets projections:
Alperen Sengun, C: 47.0 FPTS (24.6 pts, 10.3 reb, 5.3 ast)
Fred VanVleet, PG: 41.0 FPTS (18.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 7.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Jalen Green, SG: 33.7 FPTS (20.4 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Tari Eason, SF: 30.4 FPTS (13.7 pts, 8.6 reb, 1.4 ast)
Aaron Holiday, PG: 17.7 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.5 ast)
Jae’Sean Tate, SF/PF: 17.2 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Amen Thompson, SG: 15.3 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 ast)
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
8:00 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
BPI Projection: Bucks by 6.4 in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Bruce Brown, (GTD – Knee)
Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Illness); Thanasis Antetokounmpo, (OUT – Personal); Jae Crowder, (OUT – Groin)
Pacers projections:
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 50.2 FPTS (24.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 9.2 ast, 3.4 3PM)
Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 27.8 FPTS (12.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Myles Turner, C: 26.4 FPTS (14.8 pts, 7.4 reb, 0.8 ast, 2.2 blk)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 21.9 FPTS (13.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.7 ast)
Aaron Nesmith, SF: 21.8 FPTS (11.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.7 ast)
Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG: 20.2 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 3.6 ast)
Obi Toppin, PF: 20.0 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 52.2 FPTS (30.9 pts, 11.2 reb, 5.5 ast, 1.5 blk)
Damian Lillard, PG: 46.5 FPTS (26.8 pts, 4.6 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Khris Middleton, SF: 31.7 FPTS (16.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.1 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 24.8 FPTS (12.1 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 3.0 blk)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 24.5 FPTS (10.9 pts, 7.5 reb, 1.0 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 19.1 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Pat Connaughton, SG/SF: 13.8 FPTS (5.0 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.5 ast)
Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets
9:00 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 16.1 in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Mark Williams, (GTD – Back); Terry Rozier, (GTD – Illness); Frank Ntilikina, (OUT – Lower Leg); LaMelo Ball, (OUT – Ankle); Gordon Hayward, (OUT – Calf)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD – Face); Reggie Jackson, (GTD – Calf); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee)
Hornets projections:
Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 41.9 FPTS (23.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 6.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 35.5 FPTS (20.5 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Nick Richards, C: 22.7 FPTS (10.2 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.3 blk)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 20.4 FPTS (11.8 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.3 ast)
P.J. Washington, PF: 20.1 FPTS (9.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.9 ast)
Cody Martin, SF: 14.5 FPTS (7.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Nick Smith Jr., PG: 12.6 FPTS (6.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.8 ast)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 58.7 FPTS (28.0 pts, 11.6 reb, 7.7 ast)
Jamal Murray, PG: 37.2 FPTS (18.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 32.3 FPTS (16.7 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 22.1 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.3 ast)
Reggie Jackson, PG: 19.2 FPTS (8.6 pts, 1.5 reb, 3.6 ast)
Christian Braun, SG: 15.5 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Peyton Watson, SF: 14.9 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast)
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns
9:00 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
BPI Projection: Suns by 9 in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Duop Reath, (GTD – Back); Shaedon Sharpe, (GTD – Thigh); Toumani Camara, (GTD – Knee); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Illness); Deandre Ayton, (OUT – Knee); Robert Williams III, (OUT – Knee)
Suns: Nassir Little, (GTD – Knee); Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee)
Blazers projections:
Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 36.8 FPTS (18.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Jerami Grant, PF: 35.9 FPTS (23.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 22.7 FPTS (12.9 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
Jabari Walker, PF: 20.5 FPTS (9.9 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.1 ast)
Skylar Mays, PG/SG: 20.3 FPTS (9.6 pts, 2.0 reb, 3.5 ast)
Toumani Camara, PF: 18.9 FPTS (10.1 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.4 ast)
Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF: 15.2 FPTS (4.3 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.0 ast)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 48.1 FPTS (29.4 pts, 6.0 reb, 6.2 ast)
Devin Booker, SG/SF: 47.4 FPTS (27.7 pts, 5.0 reb, 7.2 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 27.4 FPTS (12.2 pts, 9.1 reb, 3.0 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 25.0 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 22.7 FPTS (13.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.1 ast)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 21.1 FPTS (10.1 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 12.3 FPTS (3.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.0 ast)
Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz
9:00 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
BPI Projection: Jazz by 1.4 in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (GTD – Heel); Kyrie Irving, (GTD – Heel); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Quadriceps); Seth Curry, (GTD – Illness); Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Toe)
Jazz: None reported
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 59.2 FPTS (35.1 pts, 8.0 reb, 8.1 ast, 3.9 3PM)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 24.9 FPTS (14.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Dante Exum, PG: 23.8 FPTS (11.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.0 ast)
Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 20.8 FPTS (11.2 pts, 4.1 reb, 0.9 ast)
Jaden Hardy, SG: 19.2 FPTS (12.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 ast)
Dereck Lively II, C: 17.2 FPTS (9.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
Grant Williams, PF: 16.5 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.3 ast)
Jazz projections:
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF: 43.7 FPTS (24.3 pts, 8.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 27.3 FPTS (16.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.3 ast)
Jordan Clarkson, SG: 24.6 FPTS (14.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 4.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)
John Collins, PF: 23.0 FPTS (12.1 pts, 7.5 reb, 0.8 ast)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 22.2 FPTS (11.7 pts, 2.3 reb, 3.3 ast)
Walker Kessler, C: 19.5 FPTS (9.0 pts, 7.7 reb, 0.9 ast, 2.4 blk)
Keyonte George, SG: 16.4 FPTS (9.4 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 ast)
Miami Heat at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
BPI Projection: Clippers by 5.3 in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Heat: Caleb Martin, (GTD – Ankle); Haywood Highsmith, (GTD – Mouth); Josh Richardson, (GTD – Back); Kyle Lowry, (GTD – Head); Jimmy Butler, (OUT – Foot); Dru Smith, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Hip); Mason Plumlee, (GTD – Knee)
Heat projections:
Bam Adebayo, C: 41.1 FPTS (22.7 pts, 10.8 reb, 4.5 ast)
Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 40.5 FPTS (24.4 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.3 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 21.3 FPTS (11.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.9 ast)
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF: 20.5 FPTS (10.3 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF: 20.3 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.2 ast)
Kevin Love, PF/C: 17.5 FPTS (6.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Kyle Lowry, PG: 17.0 FPTS (6.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.1 ast)
Clippers projections:
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 42.0 FPTS (22.5 pts, 5.2 reb, 4.1 ast, 3.1 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 40.3 FPTS (18.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 7.1 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 26.8 FPTS (12.0 pts, 10.0 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.3 blk)
Russell Westbrook, PG: 25.1 FPTS (11.3 pts, 6.3 reb, 3.6 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (12.5 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.0 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 16.4 FPTS (7.2 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.3 ast)
Joshua Primo, SG: 16.2 FPTS (6.4 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.2 ast)