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What you need to know for Monday's games
A weekend defined by LeBron James' legacy and the dominance of the Boston Celtics gives way to Monday's six-game slate. Now, no player is going to top 40,000 points this evening and we likely won't see a 50-point blowout. However, there are still some compelling matchups and fantasy considerations on deck.
The marquee matchup Monday night features James and his Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in a game with a lofty total of 238.5 points and the Lakers currently 1.5-point favorites at ESPN BET.
The Thunder run a tight and fairly top-heavy rotation, so there aren't any clear streaming candidates from Oklahoma City's young roster save for maybe shares of Luguentz Dort (12.8% rostered in ESPN leagues) in deeper leagues. The Lakers, however, do present some value with Rui Hachimura's (12.7%) as a glue guy as a cutter and clean-up man.
The other high-end contest of the slate features the LA Clippers visiting the Milwaukee Bucks in a meeting of cross-conference contenders. The Clippers just pulled out a low-scoring win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday and will surely need more offensive pop to take down the Bucks. Norman Powell (10.4%) has been on a heater lately and should be pivotal spacing the floor for Los Angeles.
The Memphis Grizzlies' season has been defined by injuries, and Monday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets follows this theme, especially with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. listed as doubtful. Given the Grizzlies' depleted roster, we find multiple Memphis players in the streaming section.
My favorite game of the day from a fantasy perspective might just be the Washington Wizards visiting the Utah Jazz. Odd, right? Well, the Jazz won't have their elite rim protector in the lineup given Walker Kessler's current injury, while the Wizards rank last in the league in defensive rating. This spells lots of offense and several streaming candidates to consider below.
Monday's Stream Team
This segment nominates three key streaming options. A streamer, by our standards, is a player available in at least half of ESPN men's basketball leagues.
Keyonte George, PG/SG, Utah Jazz (15.1 % rostered)
George might be developing into a league-winning fantasy force. The rookie guard's momentum is building as he continues to compile strong games at the helm of the Utah offense. The Wizards, meanwhile, have no solution for his speed off the bounce.
Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Washington Wizards (42.9%)
A nice blend of scoring, rebounding, and passing production vaults Avdija into relevance Monday night as a strong play against a short-handed Utah frontcourt. It's tough to find a consistent perimeter stopper on the Jazz roster, so Avdija should shine. Fantasy managers should consider playing Marvin Bagley III.
Santi Aldama, PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies (5.7%):
The likely absence of Jaren Jackson Jr. might lead to a big role for Aldama against a smaller Brooklyn frontcourt. With double-double appeal and a workload around or above 30 minutes, Aldama is a interesting fantasy pick for Monday night. His teammate Vince Williams Jr. also merits attention against the Nets.
Jabari Walker, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (2.7%)
Walker has looked comfortable seeing more minutes as Portland continues to lean on their young talent. Capable of delivering a double-double against a Minnesota team that struggles on the glass at times, Walker makes the Stream Team thanks to his surges in production and playing time.
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.
Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. Barclays Center, New York
BPI Projection: Nets in the sixth highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., (GTD - Quadriceps); Derrick Rose, (OUT - Back); Ziaire Williams, (OUT - Back); Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Achilles); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Back); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Ankle); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Ja Morant, (OUT - Shoulder)
Nets: Ben Simmons, (GTD - Leg); Cam Thomas, (OUT - Ankle); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Grizzlies projections:
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 28.2 FPTS (18.7 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.6 ast)
Vince Williams Jr., SG/SF: 27.1 FPTS (10.8 pts, 6.3 reb, 4.1 ast)
Santi Aldama, PF/C: 22.9 FPTS (10.3 pts, 5.9 reb, 2.3 ast)
Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 21.3 FPTS (10.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.1 ast)
GG Jackson, PF: 19.4 FPTS (11.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.0 ast)
Luke Kennard, SG: 18.4 FPTS (8.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Lamar Stevens, PF: 15.6 FPTS (7.0 pts, 5.3 reb, 0.9 ast)
Nets projections:
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 34.7 FPTS (20.6 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Dennis Schroder, PG: 26.4 FPTS (12.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.7 ast)
Nic Claxton, PF/C: 25.5 FPTS (10.9 pts, 9.4 reb, 1.9 ast, 3.0 blk)
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 23.3 FPTS (11.3 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Dennis Smith Jr., PG: 19.1 FPTS (7.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.7 ast)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 17.9 FPTS (8.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Lonnie Walker IV, SG/SF: 16.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.5 ast)
LA Clippers at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
BPI Projection: Bucks in the third highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)
Bucks: Chris Livingston, (GTD - Groin); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Achilles); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD - Back); Khris Middleton, (OUT - Ankle)
Clippers projections:
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 43.6 FPTS (24.1 pts, 6.0 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 37.5 FPTS (20.1 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 36.4 FPTS (16.4 pts, 5.1 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 27.0 FPTS (12.1 pts, 9.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 18.1 FPTS (10.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.3 ast)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 17.6 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.5 ast)
Daniel Theis, PF/C: 13.6 FPTS (6.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 0.9 ast)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 49.5 FPTS (29.3 pts, 10.1 reb, 5.7 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 42.8 FPTS (24.8 pts, 4.6 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Brook Lopez, C: 23.6 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.2 blk)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 21.3 FPTS (10.3 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.3 ast)
Malik Beasley, SG: 20.5 FPTS (9.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Patrick Beverley, PG: 15.0 FPTS (6.0 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.5 ast)
Jae Crowder, SF/PF: 14.7 FPTS (5.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.4 ast)
Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
BPI Projection: Timberwolves in the fifth highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD - Hand); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Quadriceps); Matisse Thybulle, (GTD - Hip); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Thigh); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles)
Blazers projections:
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 37.2 FPTS (21.6 pts, 4.4 reb, 5.3 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jerami Grant, PF: 32.2 FPTS (20.2 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Deandre Ayton, C: 28.6 FPTS (13.3 pts, 9.7 reb, 1.7 ast)
Kris Murray, PF: 17.6 FPTS (9.4 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.1 ast)
Duop Reath, C: 17.0 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Jabari Walker, PF: 16.3 FPTS (7.8 pts, 5.8 reb, 0.8 ast)
Toumani Camara, PF: 16.1 FPTS (7.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.0 ast)
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 41.1 FPTS (25.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 37.5 FPTS (21.4 pts, 7.8 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Rudy Gobert, C: 31.5 FPTS (14.5 pts, 13.2 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.3 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 23.8 FPTS (9.0 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 20.9 FPTS (11.2 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.1 ast)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 20.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.4 ast)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 14.5 FPTS (4.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.3 ast)
Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
BPI Projection: Jazz in the second highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Patrick Baldwin Jr., (GTD - Back); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Hip)
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Quadriceps); Otto Porter Jr., (OUT - Not Injury Related); Walker Kessler, (OUT - Foot)
Wizards projections:
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 41.4 FPTS (22.9 pts, 6.9 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 34.0 FPTS (17.8 pts, 8.1 reb, 3.4 ast)
Tyus Jones, PG: 29.8 FPTS (12.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.5 ast)
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C: 28.2 FPTS (14.3 pts, 8.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 26.1 FPTS (14.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Corey Kispert, SG/SF: 20.9 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 17.3 FPTS (8.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.3 ast)
Jazz projections:
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 41.7 FPTS (21.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.3 ast)
John Collins, PF: 37.1 FPTS (19.4 pts, 10.8 reb, 1.8 ast)
Jordan Clarkson, SG: 35.7 FPTS (20.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 32.1 FPTS (16.9 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Taylor Hendricks, PF: 23.7 FPTS (12.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.3 ast)
Kris Dunn, PG: 20.7 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.8 ast)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 17.9 FPTS (8.6 pts, 1.9 reb, 3.1 ast)
Chicago Bulls at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
BPI Projection: Kings in the fourth highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Hamstring); Torrey Craig, (OUT - Knee); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Kings: De'Aaron Fox, (GTD - Knee); Sasha Vezenkov, (OUT - Ankle)
Bulls projections:
Nikola Vucevic, C: 41.0 FPTS (20.1 pts, 10.6 reb, 3.4 ast)
Coby White, PG/SG: 39.3 FPTS (20.2 pts, 4.6 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 31.5 FPTS (16.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.4 ast)
Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 22.4 FPTS (8.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.8 ast)
Andre Drummond, C: 21.5 FPTS (10.3 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.0 ast)
Jevon Carter, PG: 9.3 FPTS (4.3 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.9 ast)
Dalen Terry, PG: 8.8 FPTS (3.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.9 ast)
Kings projections:
De'Aaron Fox, PG: 44.9 FPTS (24.7 pts, 3.8 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 43.5 FPTS (19.2 pts, 11.5 reb, 7.0 ast)
Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 27.1 FPTS (14.1 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 23.8 FPTS (11.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Malik Monk, SG/SF: 23.2 FPTS (12.5 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Harrison Barnes, SF/PF: 17.7 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.0 ast)
Trey Lyles, PF: 14.9 FPTS (7.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.9 ast)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
BPI Projection: Thunder in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Jaylin Williams, (GTD - Knee)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Achilles); Cam Reddish, (GTD - Ankle); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Colin Castleton, (OUT - Wrist)
Thunder projections:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG: 52.6 FPTS (29.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 6.3 ast)
Jalen Williams, SG/SF/PF: 37.1 FPTS (18.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.6 ast)
Chet Holmgren, PF/C: 36.8 FPTS (16.6 pts, 9.1 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.4 blk)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 21.7 FPTS (8.3 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.2 ast)
Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 19.8 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Isaiah Joe, SG: 16.1 FPTS (7.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Cason Wallace, PG/SG: 15.4 FPTS (5.8 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.0 ast)
Lakers projections:
Anthony Davis, PF/C: 45.6 FPTS (25.5 pts, 11.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.0 blk)
LeBron James, SF/PF: 45.5 FPTS (25.6 pts, 6.6 reb, 7.0 ast, 2.3 3PM)
D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG: 38.7 FPTS (20.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Austin Reaves, SG/SF: 33.2 FPTS (16.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 5.3 ast)
Rui Hachimura, SF/PF: 22.7 FPTS (13.8 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.0 ast)
Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG: 19.2 FPTS (8.4 pts, 2.0 reb, 4.0 ast)
Taurean Prince, SF: 12.0 FPTS (6.1 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.0 ast)