NBA matchups on Monday: Fantasy basketball selections, DFS insights, and wagering advice
ESPN’s daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet serves as your pregame hub before finalizing your lineups for the evening’s matchups. Here, you will find our top recommendations for the night, including a list of players available for streaming and injury updates for each game.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Monday’s games
The NBA features a limited schedule on the first Monday following the All-Star Break, with only three games scheduled. However, one of these matchups is significant, as the Detroit Pistons aim to maintain their top record in the league against the San Antonio Spurs, who currently hold the second seed in the Western Conference. This game serves as a benchmark for both teams, indicating that we can expect strong performances from each side.
The second matchup of the evening sees the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Sacramento Kings. Both teams are likely headed for the lottery, but such games can often be exciting for fantasy and betting, as the teams are evenly matched and both face weak defenses.
The final game features the Houston Rockets hosting the Utah Jazz. There is potential for a blowout in this contest, so caution is advised! Nonetheless, this time of year often sees strong teams overlook lottery-bound squads, resulting in competitive encounters.
As always, we will delve deeper into the action to pinpoint some fantasy streamers, betting opportunities, and DFS options of interest for tonight’s games.
Dre’s fantasy stream team for Monday
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Jazz (rostered in 19.6% of ESPN leagues): Filipowski is expected to start at center for the Jazz with Jusuf Nurkic sidelined for a third consecutive game due to a nose injury. In his prior two starts, Filipowski averaged 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and a total of 5.0 blocks and steals per game.
GG Jackson, PF, Grizzlies (16.9% rostered): Jackson is a versatile 3-and-D forward who has emerged as a solid all-around contributor for the Grizzlies since the team began its rebuild and traded Jaren Jackson Jr. He has scored in double digits in eight of his last nine games, averaging 16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 three-pointers, and a combined 1.7 blocks and steals per game during that stretch.
Maxime Raynaud, C, Kings (30.1% rostered): Raynaud is firmly established as the starting center for the Kings with Domantas Sabonis out for the remainder of the season. He has started the last six games, averaging a double-double with 14.5 points and 10.2 rebounds in those contests.
Dre’s favorite bets for Monday
Victor Wembanyama OVER 1.5 3-pointers made (-130)
Wembanyama is currently on a streak of seven consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer, averaging 2.1 three-pointers during this period. The Pistons possess a robust interior defense, allowing the fewest points in the NBA to opposing centers, yet they permit the eighth-most three-pointers to those same players. While Jalen Duren excels in the paint, he is less adept on the perimeter, allowing opposing centers like Wemby to find opportunities from beyond the arc.
GG Jackson OVER 15.5 points (-108)
Jackson has increased his scoring recently, recording 21 points in the last game before the All-Star break and following that with 20 and 28 points in his first two games after the break. His 28-point performance against the Miami Heat came in just 26 minutes off the bench, where he plays at both forward positions. The Kings rank second in points allowed to opposing power forwards.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Cade Cunningham, PG, Pistons ($10,500): Cunningham is expected to play a crucial role in a significant matchup against the Spurs. He has generated between 56 and 79 fantasy points in his last four games.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Maxime Raynaud, C, Kings ($6,100): Raynaud has achieved between 38-50 fantasy points in three of his last four games and faces a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Ty Jerome, PG, Grizzlies ($6,000): Jerome has recorded between 35-45 fantasy points in five of his last six games and has a favorable matchup at home against the Kings.
GG Jackson, SF, Grizzlies ($5,500): Jackson has scored between 33-46 fantasy points in three consecutive games and plays a significant role in the current Grizzlies offense.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Spurs +1.5 (-115) | Pistons -1.5 (-105)
Money line: Spurs -102 | Pistons -118
Total: 231.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 2.4, straight up 57%, 229.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Lindy Waters III, (GTD – Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Pistons: Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Suspension)
Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Kings +3.5 (-112) | Grizzlies -3.5 (-108)
Money line: Kings +136 | Grizzlies -162
Total: 233.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 9.6, straight up 76%, 234.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Dylan Cardwell, (OUT – Ankle); De’Andre Hunter, (OFS – Eye); Domantas Sabonis, (OFS – Knee); Zach LaVine, (OFS – Finger)
Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson, (GTD – Knee); Cedric Coward, (OUT – Knee); Santi Aldama, (OUT – Knee); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Calf); Zach Edey, (OUT – Ankle); Ja Morant, (OUT – Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger)
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets
9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Jazz +13.5 (-112) | Rockets -13.5 (-108)
Money line: Jazz +575 | Rockets -850
Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 13.7, straight up 84%, 235.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Keyonte George, (GTD – Ankle); Lauri Markkanen, (GTD – Illness); Jusuf Nurkic, (OUT – Nose); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)
Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate, (OUT – Knee); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
