Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Monday’s NBA slate

The NBA tips off action for this week with eight games, putting just over half the league on the court for Monday. As always, every game has storylines.

The Chicago Bulls got throttled by the Houston Rockets on Sunday and now have to turn around and travel to see the surprisingly solid Detroit Pistons. Those Rockets travel to Milwaukee to face a Bucks team that may be struggling, but is still led by a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who may just drop 50 or a triple-double in any given game.

The last time the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings faced off, Trae Young and De’Aaron Fox combined for 56 points and 15 assists. Of course, over his last two games, Fox has scored 109 points — by himself!!! This seems like a game where fireworks could happen.

There are plenty of other stories to watch on today’s schedule, but we should probably move on. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ chances at surpassing the 1994 Rockets and 1949 Capitols to become only the second team in NBA history to win their first 16 games of the season.

That’s tomorrow’s excitement. However, there’s a lot of exciting action on Monday’s slate. Let’s dig deeper into the matchups and identify some fantasy streamers and betting angles for you to consider.

Monday’s Stream Team

Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers (available in 62.9% of ESPN leagues)

McCain is in the midst of a scoring explosion that is seeing him soar to the top of the NBA Rookie of the Year race. McCain has taken advantage of the 76ers’ vacuum in perimeter scoring/creation with Tyrese Maxey out, and is showing he has the ability to thrive in that role on a nightly basis. Over his past four games (two of them starts), McCain has averaged 28.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 4.5 3PG and 2.3 RPG in 32.5 MPG with at least 23 points scored in all four games. He should be universally rostered right now, and should be expected to continue his scoring ways on Monday against the Miami Heat.

Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons (88.3% available)

Beasley has his shot working these days, and has stepped in as the starting shooting guard for the Pistons with Tim Hardaway Jr. (hand) out. Over Beasley’s past six games (three of them starts), he has averaged 21.7 PPG, 5.0 3PG, 4.2 RPG and 1.7 APG in 33.2 MPG. He aims for his sixth 20-point effort in seven games on Monday against the Bulls.

Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks (71.5% available)

Okongwu is in the midst of another surge, with back-to-back double-doubles and averages of 13.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.3 BPG and 1.3 SPG in 28.3 MPG coming off the bench over his past three outings. Okongwu has been outplaying starter Clint Capela for some time now, and seems destined to eventually take over the starting position. Still, even off the bench, he’s doing enough on a nightly basis to be worthy of a fantasy hoops roster spot on Monday against the Kings.

Snellings’ bets for the day

Odds by ESPN BET

Jared McCain over 20.5 points (-125)

It’s rare for a player to be listed in both the “streamers” and the “bets” sections of this article, but McCain has earned that. His line for Monday doesn’t seem to have caught up with how consistent and dominant his scoring has been of late. McCain hasn’t just averaged 28.3 PPG over his past four games. He has also shot 50.6% from the floor and 43.9% from downtown over this stretch. He has at least 23 points in all four games, and could be leaned upon even more heavily on Monday if Joel Embiid sits due to his illness. This kid is a “walking bucket” right now.

De’Aaron Fox over 33.5 points (-110)

Fox is zoning right now, and has easily elevated his scoring to video game levels with his star teammates out. He dropped 60 points on Friday in the first game that DeMar DeRozan (back) sat out, then followed that by dropping 49 points on Saturday with both DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis (back) sidelined. DeRozan and Sabonis are both out again on Monday and Fox is facing a Hawks team he already sliced up for 31 points in their previous meeting. That was in a game where DeRozan and Sabonis both played. Fox has taken a whopping 65 shots over the past two games. He should continue to get plenty of looks and post another big scoring number on Monday.

Cade Cunningham over 6.5 rebounds (-120)

I’ve actually been betting the over for Cunningham in both rebounds and assists (over 9.5, -110), as well as the combo (over 16.5 total rebounds and assists, even) for more than a week now. All three have been hitting on just about an every-game basis. Over his past eight games, Cunningham has averaged 10.4 APG and 8.8 RPG (19.2 R+A). He has gone over 6.5 rebounds in seven of those games, over 9.5 assists in six of those games (with nine assists in both of the other two), and over 16.5 combined in six of those games (with 16.0 combined in both of the other two). Cunningham is rock-solid consistent right now, and I look for more of the same against the Bulls on Monday.

Bennedict Mathurin over 27.5 total points and rebounds (-115)

Outside of a blip against the Heat on Friday (8 points, 4 rebounds in 29 minutes), Mathurin has been consistently stellar as a scorer and rebounder for weeks now. Over his past nine games, he has averaged 21.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG (30.5 P+R) with four double-doubles. He has gone over this total in five of his past six games and has a strong chance to surpass that number again versus the Raptors on Monday.

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues

Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET

Line: Bulls 4.5 (-110) | Pistons -4.5 (-110)
Money line: Bulls 155 | Pistons -185
Total: 233.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 3.3, straight up 61%, 231.3 total points.

Injury Report:
Bulls: Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Wrist)
Pistons: Ausar Thompson, (GTD – Illness); Bobi Klintman, (GTD – Calf); Tim Hardaway Jr., (GTD – Head)

Bulls projections:

• Coby White, PG/SG: 35.4 FPTS (20.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Nikola Vucevic, C: 35.2 FPTS (19.2 pts, 10.1 reb, 3.0 ast)

• Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 33.3 FPTS (19.8 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.5 ast, 2.4 3PM)

• Josh Giddey, SG/SF: 27.0 FPTS (12.6 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Patrick Williams, PF: 23.1 FPTS (11.7 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 22.9 FPTS (11.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.7 ast)

• Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 17.5 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.7 ast)

Pistons projections:

• Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 49.2 FPTS (25.8 pts, 7.2 reb, 7.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Jaden Ivey, SG: 31.1 FPTS (18.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.3 ast)

• Tobias Harris, SF/PF: 26.5 FPTS (11.1 pts, 7.3 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.3 blk)

• Jalen Duren, C: 23.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 9.3 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.2 blk)

• Malik Beasley, SG: 21.5 FPTS (11.7 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 3.0 3PM)

• Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 13.9 FPTS (5.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.5 blk)

• Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 12.0 FPTS (5.4 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: 76ers 3.5 (-115) | Heat -3.5 (-105)
Money line: 76ers 130 | Heat -150
Total: 212.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 4.1, straight up 63%, 216.1 total points.

Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD – Illness); Tyrese Maxey, (OUT – Hamstring)
Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Jimmy Butler, (GTD – Ankle)

76ers projections:

• Joel Embiid, C: 40.7 FPTS (24.6 pts, 8.2 reb, 4.2 ast)

• Paul George, SF/PF: 32.8 FPTS (15.5 pts, 5.4 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 25.1 FPTS (13.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.0 ast)

• Jared McCain, SG: 24.8 FPTS (14.6 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Andre Drummond, C: 19.2 FPTS (9.3 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Kyle Lowry, PG: 18.8 FPTS (6.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.5 ast)

Heat projections:

• Bam Adebayo, C: 44.5 FPTS (23.4 pts, 9.1 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 41.8 FPTS (25.1 pts, 4.9 reb, 5.6 ast, 3.7 3PM)

• Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/PF: 32.5 FPTS (18.4 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.8 ast)

• Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 27.0 FPTS (15.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Nikola Jovic, PF: 18.6 FPTS (8.7 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Duncan Robinson, SF: 16.7 FPTS (8.8 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Jaime Jaquez Jr., SG/SF: 15.2 FPTS (7.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.9 ast)

Washington Wizards at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards 14.5 (-115) | Knicks -14.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizards 600 | Knicks -1000
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Wizards by 10.7, straight up 81%, 234.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Face)
Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., (GTD – Knee); Miles McBride, (GTD – Illness); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle); Precious Achiuwa, (OUT – Hamstring)

Wizards projections:

• Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 33.7 FPTS (19.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.7 3PM)

• Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 26.2 FPTS (16.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Carlton Carrington, PG: 25.5 FPTS (11.1 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Bilal Coulibaly, SF: 21.7 FPTS (10.9 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 20.6 FPTS (10.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.4 blk)

• Jonas Valanciunas, C: 20.5 FPTS (10.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.4 ast)

• Kyshawn George, SG: 20.4 FPTS (9.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.7 ast)

Knicks projections:

• Jalen Brunson, PG: 42.1 FPTS (26.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 41.6 FPTS (22.7 pts, 11.6 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Josh Hart, SG/SF: 35.1 FPTS (13.8 pts, 8.1 reb, 6.2 ast)

• OG Anunoby, SF/PF: 32.1 FPTS (17.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Mikal Bridges, SG/SF: 31.7 FPTS (16.8 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Miles McBride, PG: 18.9 FPTS (9.2 pts, 2.0 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Tyler Kolek, PG: 16.1 FPTS (7.7 pts, 2.5 reb, 2.2 ast)

Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Pacers -4.5 (-105) | Raptors 4.5 (-115)
Money line: Pacers -180 | Raptors 150
Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 6.8, straight up 71%, 236.6 total points.

Injury Report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OUT – Achilles); James Wiseman, (OUT – Achilles); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Oblique); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Ankle); Andrew Nembhard, (OUT – Knee)
Raptors: D.J. Carton, (GTD – Foot); Bruno Fernando, (OUT – Ankle); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT – Elbow); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Orbital); Bruce Brown, (OUT – Knee); Ja’Kobe Walter, (OUT – Shoulder); Kelly Olynyk, (OUT – Back)

Pacers projections:

• Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG: 40.8 FPTS (19.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 8.0 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Pascal Siakam, PF: 40.7 FPTS (24.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 4.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF: 32.5 FPTS (21.7 pts, 6.9 reb, 2.1 ast)

• Myles Turner, C: 29.1 FPTS (18.6 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.9 3PM, 1.7 blk)

• T.J. McConnell, PG: 20.2 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.6 ast)

• Jarace Walker, PF: 14.3 FPTS (6.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Obi Toppin, PF: 14.2 FPTS (8.1 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.3 ast)

Raptors projections:

• RJ Barrett, SG/SF: 39.8 FPTS (23.0 pts, 6.6 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Jakob Poeltl, C: 31.3 FPTS (15.0 pts, 10.9 reb, 2.9 ast)

• Gradey Dick, SG/SF: 25.6 FPTS (15.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 23.7 FPTS (11.9 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Davion Mitchell, PG: 21.9 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 5.1 ast)

• Chris Boucher, PF/C: 16.8 FPTS (10.0 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Jonathan Mogbo, PF: 14.5 FPTS (6.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.1 ast)

Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Line: Rockets 3.5 (-105) | Bucks -3.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets 135 | Bucks -155
Total: 224.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 4.6, straight up 65%, 225.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Rockets: Steven Adams, (GTD – Knee)
Bucks: Damian Lillard, (GTD – Concussion); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Kneecap); Khris Middleton, (OUT – Ankle); Ryan Rollins, (OUT – Shoulder)

Rockets projections:

• Fred VanVleet, PG: 37.8 FPTS (15.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Alperen Sengun, C: 37.4 FPTS (17.4 pts, 11.3 reb, 4.3 ast)

• Jalen Green, SG: 33.9 FPTS (21.2 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Tari Eason, SF: 22.4 FPTS (9.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Amen Thompson, SF/PF: 22.2 FPTS (11.1 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 21.7 FPTS (11.2 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 21.0 FPTS (11.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

Bucks projections:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 43.9 FPTS (26.7 pts, 10.7 reb, 6.3 ast, 1.6 blk)

• Damian Lillard, PG: 39.3 FPTS (23.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 5.8 ast, 3.0 3PM)

• Brook Lopez, C: 21.1 FPTS (12.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM, 2.7 blk)

• Taurean Prince, SF: 19.4 FPTS (7.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Gary Trent Jr., SG: 16.0 FPTS (9.0 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Delon Wright, PG/SG: 15.7 FPTS (6.6 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Bobby Portis, PF: 12.5 FPTS (6.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 0.9 ast)

Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns
9 p.m. ET

Line: Magic -3.5 (-110) | Suns 3.5 (-110)
Money line: Magic -155 | Suns 135
Total: 211.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 3, straight up 60%, 216.9 total points.

Injury Report:
Magic: Wendell Carter Jr., (GTD – Foot); Paolo Banchero, (OUT – Oblique)
Suns: Bradley Beal, (OUT – Calf); Kevin Durant, (OUT – Calf); Collin Gillespie, (OUT – Ankle)

Magic projections:

• Franz Wagner, SF/PF: 39.6 FPTS (21.5 pts, 5.4 reb, 4.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)

• Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 28.8 FPTS (14.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Wendell Carter Jr., C: 19.5 FPTS (7.9 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.8 ast)

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG: 19.2 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Tristan da Silva, SF: 17.2 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Goga Bitadze, C: 16.7 FPTS (6.6 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Moritz Wagner, C: 16.2 FPTS (10.7 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.1 ast)

Suns projections:

• Devin Booker, PG/SG: 45.0 FPTS (28.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 6.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Tyus Jones, PG: 31.3 FPTS (13.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Jusuf Nurkic, C: 19.6 FPTS (9.8 pts, 8.3 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Royce O’Neale, SF: 19.2 FPTS (6.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Grayson Allen, PG/SG: 18.4 FPTS (10.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Ryan Dunn, SF: 16.7 FPTS (9.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.2 ast)

• Mason Plumlee, C: 15.5 FPTS (5.7 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.4 ast)

Atlanta Hawks at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. ET

Line: Hawks 4.5 (EVEN) | Kings -4.5 (-120)
Money line: Hawks 160 | Kings -190
Total: 235.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 2.6, straight up 59%, 239.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Hawks: De’Andre Hunter, (OUT – Knee); Kobe Bufkin, (GTD – Shoulder); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hamstring); Cody Zeller, (OUT – Personal); Seth Lundy, (OUT – Ankle)
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT – Shoulder); Domantas Sabonis, (GTD – Back); DeMar DeRozan, (OUT – Back); Malik Monk, (OUT – Ankle)

Hawks projections:

• Trae Young, PG: 46.2 FPTS (24.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 9.0 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Jalen Johnson, PF: 39.3 FPTS (19.1 pts, 9.3 reb, 5.6 ast)

• Dyson Daniels, PG/SG: 26.2 FPTS (12.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.2 ast)

• Clint Capela, C: 21.6 FPTS (11.1 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Onyeka Okongwu, C: 21.4 FPTS (9.9 pts, 6.6 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Zaccharie Risacher, PF/SF: 19.9 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.4 ast)

• Garrison Mathews, SG/SF: 13.2 FPTS (7.3 pts, 1.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.8 3PM)

Kings projections:

• De’Aaron Fox, PG: 46.4 FPTS (28.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 37.9 FPTS (19.0 pts, 9.6 reb, 6.2 ast)

• Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 28.0 FPTS (15.0 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Trey Lyles, PF: 23.1 FPTS (13.5 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.2 3PM)

• Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 23.1 FPTS (10.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Jordan McLaughlin, PG: 11.4 FPTS (5.0 pts, 2.0 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Alex Len, C: 11.0 FPTS (4.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.8 ast)

Golden State Warriors at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Line: Warriors -4.5 (-110) | Clippers 4.5 (-110)
Money line: Warriors -190 | Clippers 160
Total: 225.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 2.2, straight up 57%, 229.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Warriors: Kevon Looney, (GTD – Illness); Lindy Waters III, (GTD – Knee); Stephen Curry, (GTD – Knee); De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Knee)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (OUT – Knee); P.J. Tucker, (OUT – Not Injury Related)

Warriors projections:

• Stephen Curry, PG: 39.8 FPTS (20.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.6 ast, 3.2 3PM)

• Draymond Green, PF/C: 28.5 FPTS (11.3 pts, 6.6 reb, 5.2 ast)

• Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 28.3 FPTS (17.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.1 ast)

• Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 22.7 FPTS (12.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Brandin Podziemski, SG: 20.8 FPTS (9.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 20.7 FPTS (12.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.0 ast)

• Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 20.5 FPTS (8.7 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.7 ast)

Clippers projections:

• James Harden, PG/SG: 39.1 FPTS (18.3 pts, 7.0 reb, 7.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Norman Powell, SG/SF: 31.6 FPTS (19.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Ivica Zubac, C: 30.0 FPTS (15.7 pts, 10.8 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.4 blk)

• Kris Dunn, PG: 21.0 FPTS (8.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.3 ast)

• Kevin Porter Jr., SG: 19.7 FPTS (11.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.7 ast)

• Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 16.1 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 0.8 ast)

• Amir Coffey, SG: 13.4 FPTS (6.8 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.6 ast)

Source: espn.com