-
André Snellings
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.
Jump ahead
Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Monday’s games
The NBA starts December with nine games on the docket. According to the odds on DraftKings, the highest scoring game projects to be the Chicago Bulls at the Orlando Magic, with a line of 240.5 points. The Bulls got off to a great early season start, but have lost nine of their ;ast 12 games to fall to 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Magic, on the other hand, have won eight of their last 10, and have ascended to sixth in the East.
There are two games today between two teams with winning records. The first pits the Atlanta Hawks, on the second half of a back-to-back, against the Detroit Pistons. The Hawks won a grueling double-overtime affair against the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday. The Pistons, meanwhile, had Sunday off after holding off the Miami Heat’s furious comeback attempt to win a close matchup on Saturday.
The other matchup between two winning teams sees the Phoenix Suns travel to California to face the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns have lost two straight, both to elite teams out West in the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers, currently the second seed in the West, enter the game on a seven game winning streak after beating the Pelicans yesterday.
These and other storylines will be on display tonight. As always, we will dig deeper into matchups to identify fantasy streamers and betting angles of interest to help get your month started off right.
Monday’s fantasy stream team
Anthony Black, PG/SG, Orlando Magic (rostered in 18.4% of ESPN leagues): Black has become a major part of the Magic’s rotation, whether starting or coming off the bench. He has scored in double figures in seven straight games, five of them as a sixth man, and in that stretch has averaged 17.6 PPG, 2.1 SPG and 1.4 3PG. He should have a major role again on Monday against the Bulls.
T.J. McConnell, PG, Indiana Pacers (41.9%): McConnell’s season debut was delayed due to a hamstring injury, but he returned in the middle of last month and has played himself back into form. In his past six games, he has averaged an efficient 13.0 PPG, 6.2 APG and 4.0 RPG in only 20.2 MPG off the bench.
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF, Denver Nuggets (34.1%): Johnson started off the season in a shooting slump, but of late has found his form. Johnson has scored in double figures in four straight games, with 20.3 PPG on 60.9% FG and 61.5% 3P% in that stretch.
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz (22.7%): Nurkic has been a walking double-double threat since moving into the starting lineup for the Jazz, but he has been a surprisingly strong passer as well and is now a triple-double threat. Nurkic has recorded nine assists in back-to-back games. On Monday, he faces the Rockets for the second time in two days. The Rockets won in a blowout on Sunday, but Nurkic was still able to drop 14 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists in only 19 minutes.
Snellings’ bets for Monday
Jalen Duren Over 29.5 total points and rebounds (-123)
Duren hasn’t hit this mark in his past four games, but before that had notched at least 32 points+rebounds in eight of his first nine games. One of those games came against these same Hawks, in Atlanta, less than two weeks ago when Duren had 24 points and 8 rebounds in only 29 minutes.
Duren enters this game rested, having sat out the second half of a back-to-back on Saturday for maintenance on a minor leg issue. The Hawks frontline, which doesn’t have the size to deter him even when fresh, is on the second half of a back-to-back after battling Joel Embiid and the 76ers yesterday.
Kon Knueppel Over 15.5 points (-118)
Knueppel had a couple of down scoring efforts last week, totaling 18 points over two games, but bounced back on Saturday with 20 points against the Raptors. That gave him five 20-point efforts in his past seven games, and six in his past nine.
Going back to Nov. 2, Knueppel has averaged 20.9 PPG in his past 14 efforts, and on Monday faces a very friendly Washington Wizards defense that ranks in the bottom 10 in the NBA in points allowed to both shooting guards and small forwards.
Coby White Over 21.5 points (-121)
White has been working himself back into form after missing much of the season thus far with a calf injury. He sat out on Saturday, the second half of a back-to-back, for injury maintenance. But when he’s been on the court this season, he’s been scoring.
In five games played, he is averaging 24.2 PPG with at least 24 points in four of the five. The first two of those games were off the bench, but he has started the last three and on Monday will face a Magic squad that is tied for 21st in the NBA in points allowed to opposing shooting guards.
Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 vs. Phoenix Suns (-115)
The Suns enter Monday having played top-4 seeds in the Western Confernece in three of their past four games. They went 0-3 against those teams, losing by an average of 13.3 PPG. The Lakers are also a top-4 seed in the West, currently in the two spot. They have won seven straight games, the second longest active winning streak in the league behind only the Thunder (12 straight). Six of those seven wins were by double figures. According to ESPN BPI, the Lakers should actually be favored to win this game by almost six points, enough to cover this spread.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play Daily Fantasy NBA at DraftKings
$8100+ salaries
Cade Cunningham, PG, Pistons ($10,500): Cunningham has a high floor and no ceiling. In his last 13 games, he has scored no fewer than 46.8 fantasy points but has gone as high as 96.
Jalen Johnson, PF, Hawks ($10,000): On a heater right now, Johnson has topped 70 fantasy points in consecutive games. The last time he faced Monday’s opponents, the Pistons, he dropped 25 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists for 56 fantasy points.
James Harden, PG, Clippers ($9,800): Harden continues to produce consistently elite numbers even with Kawhi Leonard back. In their last three games together, Harden has scored between 51.8 and 56.5 FP each night.
$6100-$8000 salaries
Ivica Zubac, C, Clippers ($8,000): In his last 10 games, Zubac has a high floor of 34.5 FP and an elite ceiling of 62 FP. He’s coming off a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double and 43.2 FP in his last outing.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Hawks ($6,700): Alexander-Walker has an elite ceiling at a reasonable budget. He has notched at least 40 fantasy points in three of his last four and four of his last six games, peaking with two 59.5 fantasy point effort … most recently yesterday against the 76ers.
Kyshawn George, SF, Wizards ($6,300): George is a high variance player, which can serve you well in big tournaments. In his last six games, while he has scored fewer than 17 fantasy points twice, he has gone over 43 fantasy points in each of the other four. George popped for 44.8 FP in his only other meeting with the Bucks this season.
$3500-$6000 salaries
Noah Clowney, PF, Nets ($5,500): Clowney is returning from a minor hip issue that forced him to leave a game early and miss the follow-up, but in the four games leading up to the injury he notched between 30 and 43 FP in each game.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers ($5,000): Huff has started the last two games for the Pacers and produced two strong games, scoring 30.5 fantasy points against the Wizards and 37 fantasy points against the Bulls. He is a consistent double-double threat with 2.3 blocks per game.
T.J. McConnell, PG, Pacers ($4,800): McConnell has averaged more than 30 FP/G in his last four games; he seems to have played himself back into form after his injury.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +10.5 (-115) | Pistons -10.5 (-105)
Money line: Hawks +340 | Pistons -440
Total: 233.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 3.7, straight up 61%, 237.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Jacob Toppin, (GTD – Shoulder); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Illness); N’Faly Dante, (OUT – Knee); Trae Young, (OUT – Knee)
Pistons: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Knee); Duncan Robinson, (GTD – Ankle); Jalen Duren, (GTD – Lower Leg); Bobi Klintman, (OUT – Ankle); Marcus Sasser, (OUT – Hip)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -6.5 (-112) | Pacers +6.5 (-108)
Money line: Cavaliers -250 | Pacers +205
Total: 233.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 6.9, straight up 70%, 235.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Lonzo Ball, (GTD – Knee); Max Strus, (GTD – Foot); Sam Merrill, (GTD – Hand); Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Finger); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT – Calf)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles); Johnny Furphy, (OUT – Ankle); Kam Jones, (OUT – Back); Quenton Jackson, (OUT – Hamstring); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT – Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks -9.5 (-112) | Wizards +9.5 (-108)
Money line: Bucks -410 | Wizards +320
Total: 232.5 (-105 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 6.4, straight up 68%, 237.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Taurean Prince, (OUT – Neck); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Thigh)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Thigh); Sharife Cooper, (OUT – Calf); Corey Kispert, (OUT – Thumb); Tre Johnson, (OUT – Hip)
Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets -4.5 (-110) | Nets +4.5 (-110)
Money line: Hornets -192 | Nets +160
Total: 227.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 3.1, straight up 59%, 225.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD – Ankle); Pat Connaughton, (OUT – Calf); Grant Williams, (OUT – Knee); Josh Green, (OUT – Shoulder)
Nets: Michael Porter Jr., (GTD – Back); Noah Clowney, (GTD – Hip); Terance Mann, (GTD – Ribs); Cam Thomas, (OUT – Hamstring); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT – Knee)
LA Clippers at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers +6.5 (-118) | Heat -6.5 (-102)
Money line: Clippers +200 | Heat -245
Total: 235.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 5.8, straight up 67%, 235.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Bradley Beal, (OFS – Hip); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Hip); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT – Knee)
Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD – Groin); Keshad Johnson, (GTD – Illness); Terry Rozier, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +8.5 (-108) | Magic -8.5 (-112)
Money line: Bulls +285 | Magic -360
Total: 239.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 10.8, straight up 79%, 238.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Dalen Terry, (GTD – Calf); Isaac Okoro, (OUT – Back); Jalen Smith, (OUT – Hamstring); Noa Essengue, (OUT – Shoulder)
Magic: Moritz Wagner, (OUT – Knee); Paolo Banchero, (OUT – Groin); Colin Castleton, (OUT – Hand)
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET
Line: Mavericks +11.5 (-115) | Nuggets -11.5 (-105)
Money line: Mavericks +390 | Nuggets -520
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 10, straight up 77%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT – Knee); Dante Exum, (OFS – Knee); Anthony Davis, (GTD – Calf); Brandon Williams, (GTD – Groin); Daniel Gafford, (GTD – Ankle); P.J. Washington, (GTD – Ankle); Dereck Lively II, (OUT – Foot)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (OUT – Hamstring); Christian Braun, (OUT – Ankle); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Wrist); Julian Strawther, (OUT – Back)
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -12.5 (-105) | Jazz +12.5 (-115)
Money line: Rockets -650 | Jazz +470
Total: 232.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 14.7, straight up 87%, 236.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, (OUT – Knee); Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Tari Eason, (OUT – Oblique)
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS – Shoulder); Oscar Tshiebwe, (OUT – Illness); Georges Niang, (OUT – Foot)
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +4.5 (-105) | Lakers -4.5 (-115)
Money line: Suns +164 | Lakers -198
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 5.7, straight up 67%, 233.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Ryan Dunn, (GTD – Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Hip); Jalen Green, (OUT – Hamstring)
Lakers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD – Knee); LeBron James, (GTD – Foot); Marcus Smart, (GTD – Back)