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What you need to know for Monday's games
By Jim McCormick
A nine-game Sunday schedule in the Association included some busy box scores from big names, including 40-point showings from the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Beyond the expected stars performing like, well, stars, we also netted some full fantasy lines from a bevy of underappreciated name. Santi Aldama of the Memphis Grizzlies posted 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a near upset of the Boston Celtics. Playing the best basketball of his career amid a wave of frontcourt injuries, Aldama is a free agent in well over 90% of ESPN leagues.
The Sacramento Kings' duo of Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox outshined the Mavericks' Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on Sunday. However, the fantasy take from that contest was the continued hot hand of the Tim Hardaway Jr. (30.5% rostered). Only Stephen Curry and Doncic have more 3-pointers taken and made than THJ.
The Utah Jazz and their relentless young core took the Phoenix Suns to double overtime in a game that included Talen Horton-Tucker (6.5%) shining off the bench, while rookie Keyonte George (8.6%) started at the point. George has 11 assists in two of his past four games.
Shifting to Monday's eight-game schedule, the macro angle for this slate could be deemed "mismatched Monday," as just three games have spreads smaller than 7.5 points. Regardless of the big spreads, we can still find value amid the 16 rosters and rotations in action.
The best fantasy climate might be in Louisiana, with the New Orleans Pelicans hosting the Sacramento Kings in a contest that features a small spread (Kings -1.5) and healthy total (237.5). Malik Monk (32.8%) has emerged as a key streaming candidate, while three relevant streamers from the Pelicans' rotation are highlighted in the "Stream Team" below.
The Miami Heat remain in the Midwest to face the Chicago Bulls in a rematch of what was a close win for Chicago Saturday. The Heat have several wings that are shining in Tyler Herro's absence, as we discuss below.
The highest total of the day is found in the capital, with the Washington Wizards hosting the Milwaukee Bucks (244.5). This should drive interest in props, DFS, and streamers for this game. The Wizards don't win often, but at least Deni Avdija (33.4%) is ascending as a playmaker while rookie Bilal Coulibaly (6.3%) has become a defensive maven in only the first month of his career.
Monday's Stream Team
This segment nominates three key streaming options ahead of that day's action. A streamer, by our standards, is a player available in at least half of ESPN men's basketball leagues.
Herbert Jones, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (34.7%): Jones plays like an actual defensive dynamo. With Trey Murphy III still on the mend, Jones is the key point-of-attack and paint defender for New Orleans is seventh in steal percentage and 14th in block percentage. With the tempo up tonight, he's in a great spot to deliver.
Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (14.7%): Daniels has taken over the playmaking duties for the Pelicans while CJ McCollum is sidelined. While his results aren't always compelling when it comes to scoring, Daniles' solid assist, rebounding, and steal rates drive value ahead of a nice matchup with the Kings. The third streaming candidate from New Orleans' rotation would be Jordan Hawkins (7.3%), who like Hardaway Jr., loves to space the floor from deep.
Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Washington Wizards (33.4%): As previously mentioned, Avdija is starting to shine as both a scorer and facilitator from the perimeter and the block. The diminished Milwaukee Bucks defense could afford him a nice line Monday night, especially as the team continues to run sets through him.
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF, Miami Heat (8.3%): As Zach Lowe mentioned in his recent weekly article, Robinson is doing more off the bounce and as a creator than ever before in his career. He's adding assists and interior scoring to his profile as one of the league's true sharpshooters. Robinson's teammate, Jaime Jaquez Jr. also merits some attention in deeper leagues.
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.
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
BPI Projection: Celtics by 8.5 in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Celtics: None reported
Hornets: Cody Martin, (OUT - Knee); Frank Ntilikina, (OUT - Lower Leg); James Bouknight, (OUT - Knee); Nick Richards, (OUT - Concussion); Terry Rozier, (OUT - Groin)
Celtics projections:
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 48.3 FPTS (27.0 pts, 8.0 reb, 4.5 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 38.0 FPTS (22.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG: 34.6 FPTS (15.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 5.1 ast)
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C: 30.0 FPTS (17.6 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.0 ast)
Derrick White, PG/SG: 27.5 FPTS (13.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Al Horford, PF/C: 16.5 FPTS (5.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.8 ast)
Sam Hauser, SF: 15.8 FPTS (7.1 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.0 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Hornets projections:
LaMelo Ball, PG/SG: 42.5 FPTS (24.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 7.3 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Gordon Hayward, SF: 30.0 FPTS (16.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.6 ast)
P.J. Washington, PF: 26.0 FPTS (15.4 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.0 ast)
Mark Williams, C: 25.7 FPTS (12.4 pts, 9.4 reb, 0.9 ast)
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 23.2 FPTS (12.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.7 ast)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 17.5 FPTS (10.1 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.2 ast)
Theo Maledon, PG: 15.7 FPTS (8.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.7 ast)
Denver Nuggets at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 5.3 in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee); Jamal Murray, (OUT - Hamstring)
Pistons: Isaiah Livers, (GTD - Ankle); Jalen Duren, (GTD - Ankle); Joe Harris, (GTD - Shoulder); Killian Hayes, (GTD - Shoulder); Monte Morris, (GTD - Quadriceps); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Calf)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 58.2 FPTS (28.3 pts, 12.5 reb, 7.3 ast)
Aaron Gordon, PF: 33.5 FPTS (15.7 pts, 7.2 reb, 3.8 ast)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 32.6 FPTS (16.9 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Reggie Jackson, PG: 23.8 FPTS (11.9 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.1 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 21.3 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.2 ast)
Christian Braun, SG: 15.4 FPTS (7.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.5 ast)
Jay Huff, C: 12.1 FPTS (4.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 0.9 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 37.3 FPTS (21.6 pts, 4.0 reb, 7.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 24.4 FPTS (12.5 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.6 ast)
Killian Hayes, PG: 22.6 FPTS (9.6 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.8 ast)
Alec Burks, SG: 21.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF: 18.6 FPTS (9.9 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.4 ast)
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C: 18.3 FPTS (10.4 pts, 5.1 reb, 0.9 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 18.3 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.3 ast)
Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
BPI Projection: Bucks by 6.7 in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Jae Crowder, (OUT - Groin); Chris Livingston, (OUT - Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (OUT - Ankle)
Wizards: Johnny Davis, (GTD - Elbow); Delon Wright, (OUT - Knee)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 51.4 FPTS (32.6 pts, 11.2 reb, 5.1 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 47.3 FPTS (28.3 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.3 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 28.3 FPTS (15.3 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Khris Middleton, SF: 26.2 FPTS (12.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 4.2 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 23.5 FPTS (11.7 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.9 blk)
Malik Beasley, SG: 21.3 FPTS (10.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Pat Connaughton, SG/SF: 16.0 FPTS (6.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Wizards projections:
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 36.8 FPTS (23.0 pts, 6.2 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 27.6 FPTS (12.0 pts, 6.0 reb, 3.7 ast)
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 26.5 FPTS (15.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Tyus Jones, PG: 22.5 FPTS (9.7 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.7 ast)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 20.8 FPTS (9.6 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.1 blk)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 18.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 15.8 FPTS (9.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.2 ast)
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. United Center, Chicago
BPI Projection: Heat by 1 in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Heat: Tyler Herro, (OUT - Ankle); R.J. Hampton, (OUT - Knee)
Bulls: Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Alex Caruso, (GTD - Toe); Dalen Terry, (GTD - Kneecap)
Heat projections:
Bam Adebayo, C: 40.2 FPTS (21.8 pts, 10.5 reb, 3.9 ast)
Jimmy Butler, SF/PF: 38.4 FPTS (22.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.0 ast)
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF: 27.8 FPTS (15.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Kyle Lowry, PG: 19.5 FPTS (5.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.7 ast)
Haywood Highsmith, SF: 17.1 FPTS (7.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.5 ast)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 16.9 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.2 ast)
Josh Richardson, SG/SF: 16.2 FPTS (6.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.6 ast)
Bulls projections:
Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 39.9 FPTS (23.9 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Nikola Vucevic, C: 37.3 FPTS (17.8 pts, 10.6 reb, 3.1 ast)
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF: 35.2 FPTS (21.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.2 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 26.4 FPTS (12.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 17.4 FPTS (6.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.1 ast)
Torrey Craig, SF/PF: 16.7 FPTS (6.1 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 15.8 FPTS (6.5 pts, 5.4 reb, 0.6 ast)
New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 2.1 in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Evan Fournier, (GTD - Ankle); Quentin Grimes, (GTD - Wrist)
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Jordan McLaughlin, (OUT - Knee)
Knicks projections:
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG: 39.4 FPTS (24.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Julius Randle, PF: 38.8 FPTS (21.0 pts, 9.0 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 28.9 FPTS (17.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 26.9 FPTS (13.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.4 ast)
Mitchell Robinson, C: 21.4 FPTS (7.8 pts, 9.2 reb, 0.7 ast)
Josh Hart, SG/SF: 19.7 FPTS (7.5 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.2 ast)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: 16.2 FPTS (8.0 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.5 ast)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 43.2 FPTS (25.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 35.8 FPTS (19.8 pts, 8.4 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Rudy Gobert, C: 25.9 FPTS (12.1 pts, 11.5 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.7 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 22.5 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.7 reb, 4.1 ast)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 19.3 FPTS (10.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 16.9 FPTS (6.5 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.3 ast)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 14.8 FPTS (7.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 2.5 in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Kings: Kevin Huerter, (GTD - Finger); Trey Lyles, (GTD - Calf); Alex Len, (OUT - Ankle)
Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, (GTD - Ankle); CJ McCollum, (OUT - Chest); Trey Murphy III, (OUT - Knee); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT - Ribs)
Kings projections:
De'Aaron Fox, PG: 47.3 FPTS (27.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 43.3 FPTS (18.8 pts, 11.8 reb, 6.7 ast)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 28.6 FPTS (14.0 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 25.6 FPTS (11.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Malik Monk, SG/SF: 23.4 FPTS (12.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 4.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Harrison Barnes, SF/PF: 21.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.1 ast)
Davion Mitchell, PG: 17.4 FPTS (7.8 pts, 1.7 reb, 2.6 ast)
Pelicans projections:
Brandon Ingram, SF/PF: 45.2 FPTS (28.0 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.8 ast)
Zion Williamson, PF: 33.8 FPTS (22.8 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.2 ast)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 28.4 FPTS (13.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.3 ast)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 28.2 FPTS (14.0 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.4 blk)
Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 27.5 FPTS (11.9 pts, 5.4 reb, 4.0 ast)
Naji Marshall, SF: 16.8 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.7 ast)
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF/C: 10.0 FPTS (4.6 pts, 2.6 reb, 0.5 ast)
LA Clippers at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Clippers by 8.9 in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Mason Plumlee, (OUT - Knee); Brandon Boston Jr., (OUT - Quadriceps)
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (GTD - Groin)
Clippers projections:
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 46.8 FPTS (24.7 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 41.6 FPTS (22.9 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 35.0 FPTS (15.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 5.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Russell Westbrook, PG: 31.1 FPTS (13.7 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.6 ast)
Ivica Zubac, C: 23.2 FPTS (10.9 pts, 8.9 reb, 0.8 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 17.0 FPTS (10.6 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 16.7 FPTS (6.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.9 ast)
Spurs projections:
Keldon Johnson, SF: 35.1 FPTS (17.6 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 27.8 FPTS (16.3 pts, 9.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 26.3 FPTS (13.4 pts, 6.0 reb, 3.3 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 24.3 FPTS (11.4 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.8 ast)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 18.4 FPTS (9.8 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.9 ast)
Tre Jones, PG: 18.4 FPTS (7.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.0 ast)
Malaki Branham, SG: 16.5 FPTS (9.5 pts, 1.6 reb, 2.2 ast)
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
BPI Projection: Warriors by 8 in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Amen Thompson, (GTD - Ankle); Victor Oladipo, (GTD - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Leg)
Warriors: Gary Payton II, (OUT - Foot); Draymond Green, (OUT - Suspension)
Rockets projections:
Alperen Sengun, C: 40.6 FPTS (19.5 pts, 9.4 reb, 5.4 ast)
Fred VanVleet, PG: 39.2 FPTS (18.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 7.0 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jalen Green, SG: 32.2 FPTS (20.7 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 24.9 FPTS (12.0 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.4 ast)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 22.7 FPTS (11.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.8 ast)
Jae'Sean Tate, SF/PF: 16.5 FPTS (7.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.6 ast)
Jeff Green, PF: 14.8 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 0.9 ast)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 45.3 FPTS (28.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.7 ast, 5.0 3PM)
Chris Paul, PG: 28.5 FPTS (11.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 5.7 ast)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 23.2 FPTS (13.4 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.8 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Kevon Looney, PF/C: 22.4 FPTS (7.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 1.8 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 21.7 FPTS (14.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.1 ast)
Dario Saric, PF: 21.6 FPTS (9.6 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.9 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 18.0 FPTS (12.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.1 ast)