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André Snellings
Multiple Authors
ESPN’s fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night’s games. Here you’ll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Monday’s games
There are eight NBA games tonight in what should shape up as a competitive slate. Four of the matchups are between two teams vying for postseason status, and two of the other games are between two teams both headed to the lottery. When teams are relatively equally yoked, there is a higher likelihood for competitive matchups where the star players have to play all four quarters, with fantasy and prop-bet opportunities abound.
According to DraftKings odds, the game with the closest projected margin pits two of the hottest teams in the NBA against one another. The Orlando Magic take a seven-game winning streak into Atlanta to face the Hawks, winners of nine straight games.
In Houston, the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers face the fourth-seeded Rockets in a game with major Western Conference seeding implications.
The final game of the night pits the San Antonio Spurs, still within range of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed out West, against an LA Clippers team that has played well enough to recover from an awful start and move into serious playoff contention. But the Clippers are likely to be missing Kawhi Leonard (doubtful, ankle), which is why the Spurs are almost double-figure road favorites.
These and many other storylines will be on display tonight. As always, we’ll dig deeper into the action to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles of interest and DFS plays for this Monday slate.
Dré’s fantasy stream team for Monday
Tristan da Silva, SF, Orlando Magic (rostered in 27.8% of ESPN leagues): Da Silva has taken on a larger role for the Magic with both Franz Wagner (ankle) and Anthony Black (abdomen) sidelined. Da Silva has dropped 23 or more points in two of his last three games, and in that span is averaging 20.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 3PG and 3.3 stocks/game.
Marcus Smart, SG/PG, Los Angeles Lakers (4.2% rostered): Smart returned from a one-game injury layoff Saturday and posted 21 points, five 3-pointers and five steals in 35 minutes. He doesn’t often score to this extent, but he has multiple steals in three straight games and multiple 3-pointers in seven of his last nine games.
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Magic (30.4%): Carter has double-doubles in two of his last three games, averaging 15.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG in those outings.
Javon Small, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (8.9%): Small has alternated between starting and coming off the bench in his last four games, scoring in double digits in all four and averaging 18.3 PPG, 5.5 APG, 2.5 3PG and 1.5 SPG in those contests.
Dré’s favorite bets for Monday
Lakers +2.5 (-110) vs. Rockets
The Lakers are the second-hottest team in the Western Conference behind only the Thunder. They have won eight of their last nine games, including five in a row with impressive wins over the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks in that span. The Rockets are 4-4 in their last eight games, and despite them playing at home, I’m not sure they should be giving any points to the red-hot Lakers.
Jalen Johnson OVER 41.5 total points, assists and rebounds (-112)
Johnson has ramped up to some of his best play of the season of late. He has at least 42 combined points, assists and rebounds in three of his last four games. In that span he has averaged 26.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 9.0 APG, a 44.5 average PAR.
Victor Wembanyama OVER 4.5 steals plus blocks (-104)
Wembanyama is peaking at the perfect time and would make a good “over” bet in several categories, including points and 3-pointers, as well. But he has been particularly nasty on defense, with at least four blocks in 10 of his last 12 games. He has averaged 4.3 BPG and 1.3 SPG in that span for a combined 5.6 stocks.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Josh Giddey, SG, Chicago Bulls ($9,000): Giddey has averaged a triple-double in the six games he has played in March, resulting in four games over 60 fantasy points in that span.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Trey Murphy III, SF, New Orleans Pelicans ($7,600): Murphy has produced more than 38 fantasy points in five of his last six games and over 31 in all six. Murphy also has a good matchup against a friendly Dallas Mavericks defense.
$3,000-$6,000 salaries
Javon Small, PG, Grizzlies ($6,000): Small has a consistent role for the Grizzlies, stepping up as his teammates deal with injury. Small has notched 38 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games.
Scoot Henderson, PG, Portland Trail Blazers ($5,700): Henderson has shown he can step up when called upon by the Trail Blazers, and with a game against the lottery-bound Brooklyn Nets on the second half of a back-to-back, there is a solid chance the Trail Blazers might lean more on the youthful Henderson as his older teammates recover.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks
7 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Magic +2.5 (-102) | Hawks -2.5 (-118)
Money line: Magic +124 | Hawks -148
Total: 231.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 3.2, straight up 60%, 234.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jett Howard, (GTD – Illness); Anthony Black, (OUT – Abdomen); Jonathan Isaac, (OUT – Knee); Franz Wagner, (OUT – Ankle)
Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD – Knee)
Golden State Warriors at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Warriors -7.5 (-110) | Wizards +7.5 (-110)
Money line: Warriors -310 | Wizards +250
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 6.8, straight up 70%, 232.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, (GTD – Knee); Draymond Green, (GTD – Back); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Illness); Moses Moody, (GTD – Wrist); Al Horford, (OUT – Calf); Seth Curry, (OUT – Thigh); Stephen Curry, (OUT – Knee); Jimmy Butler III, (OFS – Knee)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (OUT – Hamstring); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder); Bub Carrington, (GTD – Hip); Kyshawn George, (OUT – Elbow); Anthony Davis, (OUT – Finger); D’Angelo Russell, (OUT – Not Injury Related); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder)
Portland Trail Blazers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Blazers -10.5 (-102) | Nets +10.5 (-118)
Money line: Blazers -440 | Nets +340
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 6.5, straight up 69%, 222.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Robert Williams III, (GTD – Knee); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard, (OFS – Achilles)
Nets: Ben Saraf, (GTD – Calf); Michael Porter Jr., (OUT – Ankle); Terance Mann, (OUT – Achilles); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OFS – Thumb); Egor Demin, (OFS – Foot)
Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +8.5 (-102) | Celtics -8.5 (-118)
Money line: Suns +330 | Celtics -425
Total: 213.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 5.1, straight up 65%, 215.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Dillon Brooks, (OUT – Hand); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot)
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic, (OUT – Finger)
Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Grizzlies +6.5 (-118) | Bulls -6.5 (-102)
Money line: Grizzlies +200 | Bulls -245
Total: 242.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 1.7, straight up 55%, 243.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: GG Jackson, (GTD – Foot); Ty Jerome, (GTD – Shoulder); Walter Clayton Jr., (GTD – Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT – Elbow); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (OFS – Finger); Santi Aldama, (OFS – Knee); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OFS – Toe); Zach Edey, (OFS – Ankle)
Bulls: Collin Sexton, (GTD – Lower Leg); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Knee); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Wrist); Jaden Ivey, (OUT – Knee); Noa Essengue, (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)
Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +8.5 (-108) | Pelicans -8.5 (-112)
Money line: Mavericks +280 | Pelicans -355
Total: 239.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 4.2, straight up 63%, 240.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Illness); Dereck Lively II, (OFS – Foot); Kyrie Irving, (OFS – Knee)
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (GTD – Illness); Bryce McGowens, (OUT – Toe)
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Lakers +2.5 (-110) | Rockets -2.5 (-110)
Money line: Lakers +120 | Rockets -142
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 1.8, straight up 56%, 223.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Back)
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (GTD – Back); Jae’Sean Tate, (OUT – Knee); Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS – Ankle)
San Antonio Spurs at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Spurs -8.5 (-115) | Clippers +8.5 (-105)
Money line: Spurs -380 | Clippers +300
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 1, straight up 53%, 225.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Dylan Harper, (OUT – Calf); Luke Kornet, (OUT – Knee); David Jones Garcia, (OFS – Ankle)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, (GTD – Ankle); Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (OFS – Foot)