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Fantasy basketball tips for Monday

Malik Monk has been scoring in bunches for the Sacramento Kings and is one of the top options on the slate for Monday night. Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

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What you need to know for Monday's games

    By Jim McCormick

    Only this early-November Monday, life is good for hoop heads. The week opens with 80% of the NBA in action, kicking off weekly fantasy formats with real momentum. Mind you, this loaded schedule is influenced by the league being off for elections on Tuesday.

    Sifting through a massive schedule requires a willingness to dive into the details. We begin with the injury report ahead of tonight's tip. Notable expected absences include Wendell Carter Jr. (hand) of the Orlando Magic, which vaults a former Michigan standout into the streaming endorsements below.

    The major injury news is the absence of two All-Star guards, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder (knee) and the Sacramento Kings' De'Aaron Fox (ankle) have both been ruled out. For the Thunder, Luguentz Dort was brilliant this past Friday night, while the Kings will turn to a microwave scorer that we feature in the streaming section.

    We should also note star guard Jamal Murray (hamstring) of the reigning champion Denver Nuggets is unlikely to play against the New Orleans Pelicans. Reggie Jackson, anyone?

    Another way to mine for meaningful information is leveraging betting data; the second-highest point total of this dozen-game day is found in Oklahoma City as the Thunder host the Atlanta Hawks in a contest with a total hovering 236 points. After all, Friday's matchup with the Golden State Warriors in OKC resulted in 280 points in regulation.In addition to Dort, surging statistical star Jalen Johnson (more on him later) is a great get.

    My favorite game of the day for DFS, streaming, and prop angles might just be this ABA-centric showdown in Indianapolis between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers. The contest claims the highest total of the night (238.5) and beyond the star power of Victor Wembanyama and Tyrese Haliburton, several streaming candidates, such as Jeremy Sochan, Tre Jones, Bruce Brown, and Jalen Smith prove relevant.


    Monday's Stream Team

    Jalen Johnson, SF, Hawks (rostered in 35.3% of ESPN leagues): Save for assists, this guy is doing it all for fantasy purposes; efficient from the floor, active on both the glass and on defense, and with a few highlight dunks per week. As mentioned above, the pace and point ingredients for this matchup with the Thunder are also inviting. Teammate De'Andre Hunter is worth a look in deeper leagues.

    Zach Collins, PF/C, Spurs (32.1%): A versatile skill set and gobs of playing time combine to make for fantasy fun when it comes to Collins. Atypically strong passing production, especially with Devin Vassell ailing, only adds to the value.

    Malik Monk, SG/SF, Kings (20.6%): A disciple of the Jamal Crawford school of scoring in bunches, Monk takes his heat check approach to the floor against the Rockets. Monk, who brings real two-way flair to the court, should be busy in this one.

    Moritz Wagner, PF/C, Magic (4.1%): With Carter's absence in the post for Orlando, Wagner should flirt with 20 minutes of run and has been particularly productive in recent games in this capacity. It doesn't hurt that one of the team's top players, his younger brother, loves to feed him in pick-and-roll moments.

    Projections and Injury Reports

    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.


    Golden State Warriors at Detroit Pistons
    7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit


    BPI Projection: Warriors by 6.8 in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Warriors: Draymond Green, (GTD - Ankle)
    Pistons: Alec Burks, (GTD - Forearm); Jaden Ivey, (GTD - Illness); Joe Harris, (OUT - Shoulder); Monte Morris, (OUT - Quadriceps); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Ankle); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Calf)

    Warriors projections:

    Pistons projections:


    San Antonio Spurs at Indiana Pacers
    7 p.m. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis


    BPI Projection: Pacers by 10.2 in the highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Spurs: Keldon Johnson, (GTD - Wrist); Devin Vassell, (OUT - Groin)
    Pacers: None reported

    Spurs projections:

    Pacers projections:


    Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic
    7 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando


    BPI Projection: Magic by 2.5 in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (GTD - Foot); Luka Doncic, (GTD - Quadriceps); Maxi Kleber, (GTD - Toe)
    Magic: Jonathan Isaac, (GTD - Hamstring); Gary Harris, (OUT - Groin); Markelle Fultz, (OUT - Knee); Wendell Carter Jr., (OUT - Finger)

    Mavericks projections:

    Magic projections:


    Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers
    7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia


    BPI Projection: 76ers by 10.9 in the 9th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Wizards: Corey Kispert, (GTD - Ankle); Daniel Gafford, (GTD - Ankle); Deni Avdija, (GTD - Ankle)
    76ers: None reported

    Wizards projections:

    • Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 33.1 FPTS (19.1 pts, 6.0 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.1 3PM)

    • Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 25.5 FPTS (15.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.2 3PM)

    • Tyus Jones, PG: 22.1 FPTS (8.2 pts, 2.4 reb, 4.2 ast)

    • Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 20.6 FPTS (9.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.4 ast)

    • Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 17.1 FPTS (8.0 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.3 blk)

    • Delon Wright, PG/SG: 15.9 FPTS (5.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.1 ast)

    • Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 15.1 FPTS (7.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.3 ast)

    76ers projections:


    Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets
    7:30 p.m. Barclays Center, New York


    BPI Projection: Bucks by 1.1 in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Bucks: None reported
    Nets: Lonnie Walker IV, (GTD - Knee); Nic Claxton, (OUT - Ankle); Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Calf)

    Bucks projections:

    Nets projections:


    Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat
    7:30 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami


    BPI Projection: Heat by 2 in the 12th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Lakers: Jaxson Hayes, (OUT - Ankle); Rui Hachimura, (OUT - Concussion); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Heel); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Knee)
    Heat: Duncan Robinson, (GTD - Wrist); Jimmy Butler, (GTD - Knee); Nikola Jovic, (GTD - Illness); R.J. Hampton, (GTD - Illness); Caleb Martin, (OUT - Knee)

    Lakers projections:

    Heat projections:


    LA Clippers at New York Knicks
    7:30 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York


    BPI Projection: Clippers by 3.1 in the 10th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Clippers: Terance Mann, (OUT - Ankle); Brandon Boston Jr., (OUT - Quadriceps)
    Knicks: RJ Barrett, (GTD - Knee)

    Clippers projections:

    • Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 42.8 FPTS (23.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.9 ast, 2.8 3PM)

    • James Harden, PG/SG: 42.0 FPTS (19.3 pts, 5.8 reb, 7.7 ast, 2.5 3PM)

    • Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 36.5 FPTS (19.7 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

    • Russell Westbrook, PG: 32.5 FPTS (14.8 pts, 6.3 reb, 5.4 ast)

    • Bones Hyland, PG/SG: 21.9 FPTS (13.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.4 3PM)

    • Ivica Zubac, C: 19.2 FPTS (9.9 pts, 7.4 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.3 blk)

    • Norman Powell, SG/SF: 17.2 FPTS (9.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.6 ast)

    Knicks projections:


    Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls
    8 p.m. United Center, Chicago


    BPI Projection: Bulls by 2 in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Jazz: None reported
    Bulls: Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Alex Caruso, (GTD - Elbow); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD - Illness); Patrick Williams, (GTD - Finger)

    Jazz projections:

    Bulls projections:


    Sacramento Kings at Houston Rockets
    8 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston


    BPI Projection: Rockets by 0.2 in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Kings: De'Aaron Fox, (OUT - Ankle); Trey Lyles, (OUT - Calf)
    Rockets: Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg); Amen Thompson, (OUT - Ankle); Victor Oladipo, (OUT - Knee)

    Kings projections:

    Rockets projections:


    Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves
    8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis


    BPI Projection: Celtics by 1.1 in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Eye); Oshae Brissett, (GTD - Thumb); Derrick White, (OUT - Personal); Neemias Queta, (OUT - Foot)
    Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles)

    Celtics projections:

    Timberwolves projections:


    Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder
    8 p.m. Paycom Center, Oklahoma City


    BPI Projection: Hawks by 1.3 in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Hawks: Wesley Matthews, (OUT - Calf); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT - Thumb)
    Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD - Knee); Kenrich Williams, (OUT - Back)

    Hawks projections:

    Thunder projections:


    New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets
    9 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver


    BPI Projection: Nuggets by 7.6 in the 11th highest-scoring game of the slate.

    Injury Report:
    Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, (OUT - Ankle); Naji Marshall, (OUT - Knee); Trey Murphy III, (OUT - Knee); CJ McCollum, (OUT - Chest)
    Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee); Jamal Murray, (OUT - Hamstring)

    Pelicans projections:

    Nuggets projections: