NBA matchups on Monday: Fantasy basketball selections, DFS insights, and wagering advice

ESPN’s daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet serves as your go-to resource prior to 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 detailed injury reports for each game.

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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report

Key information for Monday’s games

The NBA is in the second-to-last week of the regular season, featuring eight games scheduled for Monday. Among these, three matchups involve teams competing for playoff spots, highlighted by the top seeds in both the Eastern and Western Conferences facing each other.

The Detroit Pistons are set to visit Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder, but they will be without Cade Cunningham, who is recovering from a collapsed lung. The Thunder are playing the second game of a back-to-back after a hard-fought victory against the New York Knicks yesterday, yet they remain significant favorites for Monday’s contest. DraftKings has established the spread at Thunder -12.5 points.

The Boston Celtics will travel to Atlanta to challenge the Hawks in a rematch of their encounter on Friday. The Hawks entered Friday having won 14 of their last 15 games and initially took a 16-point lead, but the Celtics rallied to secure the win, even in the absence of Jaylen Brown. Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White were all marked as questionable on Sunday, with Brown and White not participating while Tatum played. Given that this is a back-to-back, monitor the availability of all three players for tonight’s game.

The Philadelphia 76ers had their starting lineup complete for the first time in months during Saturday’s significant win over the Charlotte Hornets. Tyrese Maxey returned from injury, joining newly returned Joel Embiid and Paul George to form the Big Three that the 76ers have envisioned for the past two seasons but have rarely seen at full strength. The trio combined for 81 points on Saturday and will aim to continue that momentum on Monday against a Miami Heat team that has lost seven of their last eight games, dropping to ninth in the Eastern Conference.

These and numerous other narratives will unfold on Monday night, so let’s delve deeper into the action to pinpoint fantasy streamers and intriguing betting angles.

Monday’s fantasy stream team

Tre Jones, PG, Chicago Bulls (rostered in 43.1% of ESPN leagues): Jones has been averaging 17.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 4.3 RPG over his last 12 games. He is starting for the Bulls and producing numbers suitable for a fantasy starter.

Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Utah Jazz (35.1% rostered): Filipowski is coming off consecutive games with over 25 points and remains a consistent double-double threat as the starting center for the Jazz.

Will Riley, SG, Washington Wizards (8.3%): Riley has scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games and is among the more effective players on the Wizards, whether starting or coming off the bench. In his last eight games, he has averaged 16.5 PPG and 1.9 3PG in 31.3 MPG.

Daniss Jenkins, PG, Pistons (38.8%): Jenkins has stepped up effectively with Cunningham out, demonstrating his ability to deliver substantial numbers consistently. He will face a challenging matchup on Monday against the Thunder and their strong defense, but the Pistons will rely on him to remain competitive in Oklahoma City.

Dré’s top bets for Monday

76ers ML (-125) over Heat: The 76ers performed well on Saturday with their complete starting lineup and will aim to maintain that momentum on Monday. Conversely, the Heat have lost seven of their last eight games, including a 17-point defeat to the lottery-bound Indiana Pacers yesterday. Each of the Heat’s last three losses has been by double digits.

Payton Pritchard OVER 17.5 points (-112): It is uncertain how many of their starters the Celtics will have available tonight, with Tatum listed as doubtful and both Brown and White marked as questionable. This uncertainty complicates predictions regarding the team’s overall performance, but one consistent factor this season has been Pritchard’s ability to excel when other stars are unavailable. Pritchard scored a total of 64 points in two games this weekend with Brown out, including 36 against the same Hawks on Friday night.

Jalen Green to score 20+ points (-165): Green is a prolific scorer, especially against weaker defenses. He has recorded at least 20 points in four consecutive games, including a 31-point performance in just 22 minutes against the Jazz on Saturday.

Rudy Gobert OVER 12.5 rebounds (-102): Gobert has secured at least 12 rebounds in six straight games. On Monday, he will face a Dallas Mavericks front line that he grabbed 17 rebounds against the last time they met last month.

Top Daily Fantasy values of the day

By Eric Moody

$8,100+ salaries

Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs ($11,500): Wembanyama has achieved at least 50 fantasy points in five consecutive games, including three with 59 or more. He is expected to continue accumulating stats on both ends against a Bulls team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 30 games. The only concern is the potential for a blowout, as the Spurs are heavy favorites against Chicago.

Evan Mobley, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers ($8,400): Mobley has been a double-double machine this season and has excelled in March, averaging 40.7 fantasy points and 30.8 minutes per game. The Jazz have struggled defensively, ranking 26th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, and they also rank in the top eight in fantasy points allowed per game to both power forwards and centers this season.

$6,100-$8,000 salaries

Stephon Castle, SG, Spurs ($7,400): Castle has been impressive for the Spurs over the last seven games, averaging 42.3 fantasy points during that period. He is well-positioned to continue that success against a Bulls team that ranks 16th in defensive rating and leads the league in pace over the last 15 games. Chicago has also allowed the most fantasy points per game to shooting guards during that timeframe, which is favorable for Castle on Monday night.

Paul George, SF/PF, 76ers ($7,700): George missed 25 consecutive games due to a suspension but has scored at least 54 fantasy points in each of his last two games, contributing across nearly every statistical category. It was also encouraging to see him log at least 26 minutes in both contests. The Heat rank 21st in defensive rating and third in pace over the last 15 games, which should create another advantageous situation for George to remain productive.

$3,500-$6,000 salaries

Oso Ighodaro, C, Phoenix Suns ($5,400): Ighodaro has taken on a larger role due to recent injuries within the Suns, averaging 29.3 fantasy points and 31.3 minutes per game over his last six outings. The Memphis Grizzlies have struggled defensively and have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 15 games, placing Ighodaro in another favorable position.

Ryan Dunn, PF, Suns ($4,700): Dunn has been on an upward trend and, importantly, contributing on both ends of the court. He has scored at least 25 fantasy points in three consecutive games. The Grizzlies rank 27th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, which positions Dunn as a solid value for those looking to save salary at power forward.

Projections and injury reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
7 p.m. ET on Peacock

Line: 76ers -2.5 (100) | Heat +2.5 (-120)
Money line: 76ers -125 | Heat +105
Total: 246.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 1, straight up 53%, 245.6 total points.

Injury Report:

76ers: Johni Broome, (OUT – Knee)

Heat: Norman Powell, (GTD – Illness); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)

Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET

Line: Celtics +1.5 (-110) | Hawks -1.5 (-110)
Money line: Celtics +102 | Hawks -122
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 1.7, straight up 55%, 222.2 total points.

Injury Report:

Celtics: Derrick White, (GTD – Knee); Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Achilles); Nikola Vucevic, (OUT – Finger)

Hawks: None reported

Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET

Line: Suns -12.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +12.5 (-110)
Money line: Suns -700 | Grizzlies +500
Total: 229.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 4.5, straight up 64%, 232.7 total points.

Injury Report:

Suns: Amir Coffey, (OUT – Ankle); Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot)

Grizzlies: Javon Small, (GTD – Back); Olivier-Maxence Prosper, (GTD – Wrist); Taj Gibson, (GTD – Foot); Walter Clayton Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OFS – Calf); Ja Morant, (OFS – Elbow); Jaylen Wells, (OFS – Toe); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger); Santi Aldama, (OFS – Knee)

Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET on Peacock

Line: Bulls +18.5 (-110) | Spurs -18.5 (-110)
Money line: Bulls +1000 | Spurs -1800
Total: 243.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 13.8, straight up 86%, 239.4 total points.

Injury Report:

Bulls: Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Ankle); Nick Richards, (GTD – Elbow); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Wrist); Mac McClung, (OUT – Hamstring); Jaden Ivey, (OFS – Knee); Jalen Smith, (OFS – Calf); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)

Spurs: David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)

Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET

Line: Timberwolves -7.5 (-105) | Mavericks +7.5 (-115)
Money line: Timberwolves -270 | Mavericks +220
Total: 236.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 5.8, straight up 68%, 238.6 total points.

Injury Report:

Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD – Knee); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD – Calf); Rocco Zikarsky, (OUT – Undisclosed); Jaden McDaniels, (OUT – Knee)

Mavericks: Caleb Martin, (GTD – Heel); Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Shoulder); Marvin Bagley III, (GTD – Shoulder); Naji Marshall, (GTD – Illness); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)

Cleveland Cavaliers at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET

Line: Cavaliers -17.5 (-108) | Jazz +17.5 (-112)
Money line: Cavaliers -1650 | Jazz +950
Total: 242.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 15.8, straight up 89%, 247.8 total points.

Injury Report:

Cavaliers: Max Strus, (OUT – Foot); Dean Wade, (OUT – Ankle); Jaylon Tyson, (OUT – Toe)

Jazz: Isaiah Collier, (OUT – Hamstring); Keyonte George, (OUT – Hamstring); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Hip); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OFS – Knee); Jusuf Nurkic, (OFS – Nose); Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder)

Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder
9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock

Line: Pistons +12.5 (-110) | Thunder -12.5 (-110)
Money line: Pistons +525 | Thunder -750
Total: 218.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 5.2, straight up 66%, 224.9 total points.