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
There are eight games on Monday's NBA slate, but the matchup I'm most excited about has the New York Knicks traveling to Detroit to take on the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
The Knicks are trying to snap a three-game losing streak while adjusting top playing without Josh Hart, and the Pistons continue to win through depth, defense and the steady dominance of Cade Cunningham. It's a potential playoff preview layered with real questions about depth, adjustments and sustainability on both sides. Even without full lineups, the stakes, intensity and contrasting styles make this matchup a must-watch.
Let's break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight's slate.
Monday's fantasy stream team
Anfernee Simons, SG/PG, Boston Celtics (rostered in 51.3% of ESPN leagues): Simons has struggled this season coming off the bench for the Celtics after spending last year as a starter for the Trail Blazers, but his play has trended upward recently. He has scored at least 21 fantasy points in four consecutive games. Chicago ranks second in pace this season and has struggled defensively against shooting guards, which bodes well for Simons.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, PF, Toronto Raptors (11.7% rostered): Mamukelashvili has emerged as a key part of the Raptors' rotation with Jakob Poeltl sidelined due to a back injury. He has averaged 34.6 fantasy points per game over his last six outings. Mamukelashvili's ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories makes him an appealing streaming option, and the matchup is favorable, as the Hawks have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards this season.
Moody's favorite bets for Monday
Dyson Daniels OVER 12.5 assists and rebounds (-112)
Trae Young has been ruled out of Monday's matchup against the Raptors, which significantly boosts Daniels' outlook. With Young sidelined, Daniels handles the ball far more often and has cleared this line in four of his last five games in that role. During those contests, he has averaged 11.5 potential assists and 10.3 rebound chances per game. Daniels also cleared this number against Toronto on Saturday, and he's well-positioned to do so again as the Raptors have struggled defensively against shooting guards in both categories.
James Harden OVER 12.5 assists and rebounds (-121)
Ivica Zubac is back in the lineup, which is a boost for Harden, who frequently looks to him in pick-and-roll situations. Harden has cleared this line in 63% of the 27 games Zubac has played this season. The narrow spread also suggests a competitive matchup against the Warriors, supporting Harden's minutes and usage. Harden also has surpassed this number in 72% of games with Zubac when playing at least 32 minutes.
Jalen Brunson OVER 36.5 points and assists (-110)
The spread suggests a competitive matchup between the Knicks and Pistons, which should keep the ball in Brunson's hands for much of the night. While Detroit ranks second in defensive rating this season, Brunson has played well recently having cleared this line in three of his last five games. The Pistons do a great job of limiting points and assists from opposing point guards, but they also allow a high volume of free-throw attempts, setting up Brunson to attack the paint as New York looks to snap its three-game losing streak. He has surpassed this number in eight of his last 10 games against Detroit.
Cade Cunningham UNDER 44.5 points, rebounds and assists (-123)
Despite averaging 35.9 MPG with a 33.6% usage rate, Cunningham has gone under this line in 20 of 32 games this season. He averages 42.5 PRAs and has also stayed under this number in both games Jalen Duren missed. While Cunningham hasn't faced the Knicks yet this season, he has gone under this line in six of his last 10 matchups against New York. The Knicks rank middle of the pack in defensive rating overall but have done a very good job defending point guards and protecting the paint, where a large portion of Cunningham's scoring comes from.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play Daily Fantasy NBA at DraftKings
$8100+ salaries
Jaylen Brown, SG, Celtics ($9,800)
Brown has been phenomenal lately, averaging 51.5 fantasy points per game over his last seven contests while posting a 36.8% usage rate. Boston's matchup against Chicago features one of the highest totals on the slate, and the Bulls have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards this season. Brown offers a very high floor with legitimate ceiling-game upside.
Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets ($9,500)
Murray will operate as Denver's No. 1 offensive playmaker with Nikola Jokic sidelined due to a left knee hyperextension. He has scored at least 56 fantasy points in each of his last two games. While Murray's ceiling could be slightly impacted by the recent returns of Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, that duo is unlikely to play in the second leg of Denver's back-to-back tonight against a 76ers team that is middle of the road defensively.
Kevin Durant, SG/SF, Houston Rockets ($8,900)
Durant should see a massive usage rate against the Suns, with Alperen Sengun already ruled out due to an ankle injury. He has scored at least 44 fantasy points in five consecutive games, including 56.8 points against Dallas on January 3. Durant is well-positioned for another strong performance against his former team.
$6100-$8000 salaries
Chet Holmgren, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder ($7,800)
Holmgren has been dominant of late, averaging 44.9 fantasy points per game over his last five contests. While the Thunder are huge favorites against the Hornets, Holmgren is too good to pass on against a Hornets team that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards this season.
$3500-$6000 salaries
Matas Buzelis, PF, Chicago Bulls ($5,900)
Josh Giddey remains out due to a hamstring injury, and in the three games he has missed, Buzelis has averaged 37.4 fantasy points per game. Buzelis' ceiling could rise even further if Coby White, who is questionable with a calf injury, is ruled out. While Boston ranks 15th in defensive rating this season, Buzelis' appeal ultimately comes down to his increased usage rate with Giddey sidelined.
Ronald Holland II, SF/PF, Pistons ($4,100)
Holland is in a favorable spot against the Knicks with Duren and Tobias Harris ruled out. In the three games both players have missed this season, Holland has averaged 24.1 fantasy points per game. At this price point, he stands out as a tremendous value option in DFS lineups.
Clint Capela, C, Rockets ($4,000)
Capela is set to have a vital role in the Rockets rotation with Sengun already ruled out, but Steven Adams is also questionable, and if he's ruled out, Capela would play even more minutes. Capela averages 13.3 points and 16.4 rebounds per 40 minutes this season and is a nice value at the center position. He's also a strong streaming option, as he's rostered in just 3.4% of leagues.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Knicks -2.5 (-108) | Pistons +2.5 (-112)
Money line: Knicks -135 | Pistons +114
Total: 232.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 2.1, straight up 56%, 234.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Landry Shamet, (OUT - Shoulder); Josh Hart, (OUT - Ankle)
Pistons: Caris LeVert, (GTD - Knee); Wendell Moore Jr., (OUT - Hamstring); Jalen Duren, (OUT - Ankle); Tobias Harris, (OUT - Hip)
Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +11.5 (-118) | Celtics -11.5 (-102)
Money line: Bulls +410 | Celtics -550
Total: 237.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 11.3, straight up 79%, 234.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Coby White, (GTD - Calf); Jalen Smith, (OUT - Concussion); Trentyn Flowers, (OUT - Knee); Zach Collins, (OUT - Toe)
Celtics: Ron Harper Jr., (OUT - Back); Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles)
Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +2.5 (-102) | Raptors -2.5 (-118)
Money line: Hawks +120 | Raptors -142
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 0.7, straight up 52%, 236.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Luke Kennard, (GTD - Back); Trae Young, (OUT - Quadriceps); N'Faly Dante, (OFS - Knee)
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (OUT - Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Back)
Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET
Line: Suns +8.5 (-120) | Rockets -8.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Suns +245 | Rockets -305
Total: 222.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 9.3, straight up 74%, 227.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Grayson Allen, (GTD - Knee); Jalen Green, (OUT - Hamstring)
Rockets: Steven Adams, (GTD - Ankle); Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee)
Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets +15.5 (-110) | Thunder -15.5 (-110)
Money line: Hornets +700 | Thunder -1100
Total: 234.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 16.7, straight up 91%, 229.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Brandon Miller, (GTD - Knee); Kon Knueppel, (GTD - Hip); Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Wrist); Tidjane Salaun, (GTD - Ankle); Grant Williams, (OUT - Knee); Ryan Kalkbrenner, (OUT - Elbow); Mason Plumlee, (OUT - Groin)
Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein, (GTD - Calf); Jaylin Williams, (GTD - Heel); Brooks Barnhizer, (OUT - Ankle); Ousmane Dieng, (OUT - Calf); Nikola Topic, (OUT - Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee)
Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers
8:30 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Nuggets +11.5 (-110) | 76ers -11.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets +440 | 76ers -600
Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 5.5, straight up 65%, 241.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Knee); Jonas Valanciunas, (OUT - Calf); Nikola Jokic, (OUT - Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT - Foot)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT - Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT - Groin)
Golden State Warriors at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET on Peacock
Line: Warriors -1.5 (-108) | Clippers +1.5 (-112)
Money line: Warriors -118 | Clippers -102
Total: 225.5 (-108 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection:
Injury Report:
Warriors: Seth Curry, (OUT - Back)
Clippers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, (GTD - Illness); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Hamstring); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT - Knee); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip)
Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +6.5 (-118) | Blazers -6.5 (-102)
Money line: Jazz +190 | Blazers -230
Total: 241.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Blazers by 5.8, straight up 66%, 248.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Ace Bailey, (GTD - Hip); Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD - Toe); Georges Niang, (OUT - Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS - Shoulder)
Blazers: Robert Williams III, (GTD - Knee); Jerami Grant, (OUT - Achilles); Jrue Holiday, (OUT - Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Hamstring); Blake Wesley, (OUT - Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)