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 four games on Monday's slate, but due to winter weather in Charlotte, North Carolina, the NBA moved the start time of the Charlotte Hornets-New Orleans Pelicans matchup to 2:00 PM ET. As a result, that game will not be included in DraftKings contests, meaning players from both teams will not accrue fantasy points and should be removed from lineups. With that in mind, the matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers at Intuit Dome stands out as the most intriguing game on the slate.
The 76ers enter Monday's matchup with steady momentum, having won three straight games while settling into a rhythm behind Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Maxey continues to run the offense, and Embiid's return to form has given Philadelphia one of the league's most dangerous inside-out combinations. Even without Paul George, the Sixers should remain competitive, showing better balance and focus on both ends of the floor.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have rewritten their season after opening with a 6-21 record. Since then, they've gone 17-4 and become one of the league's hottest teams over the past six weeks. Led by Kawhi Leonard, LA has tightened up defensively and found its offensive flow again. Still, there are questions with James Harden's availability uncertain and the team playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Philadelphia's steady play now meets a real test. Maxey's growing comfort in late-game situations will be worth watching, while Leonard's ability to take over could swing the result. With the Sixers beginning a key West Coast trip near the trade deadline and the Clippers trying to keep their momentum alive, Monday's game offers a clear look at where both teams really stand.
As always, let's dig deeper into these and the other storylines on display to identify fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this Monday slate.
Monday's fantasy stream team
Ty Jerome, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (rostered in 38.1% of ESPN leagues)
Jerome finished with 34 fantasy points in just 20 minutes in his season debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves last Saturday. With Ja Morant sidelined by a left elbow UCL sprain, Jerome, who started in Saturday's game, should continue to see meaningful minutes. While he is expected to split time with Cam Spencer, he remains firmly on the streaming radar for managers in need of backcourt help in deeper formats.
Tari Eason, SF/PF, Houston Rockets (37.7%)
Eason has scored at least 28 fantasy points in each of his last three games and continues to produce when given consistent minutes. With Kevin Durant ruled out for Monday's game due to an ankle injury, Eason should be in a strong position to find success against the Indiana Pacers. In the five games this season in which he has logged at least 30 minutes, he's averaged 15.8 PPG and 8.6 RPG. At $6,200, he also profiles as a strong value play in DFS lineups.
Moody's favorite bets for Monday
Kelly Oubre Jr. OVER 18.5 points and rebounds (-120)
With Paul George sidelined, Oubre has stepped into the 76ers' clear No. 3 scoring role behind Maxey and Embiid. He has cleared this line in seven of eight games this season when Maxey and Embiid are active and George is out. In those contests, Oubre has averaged 11.8 field goal attempts and 12.3 rebound chances in 36.3 minutes. He scores in a variety of ways, from catch-and-shoot to transition buckets, which sets up well against a middle-of-the-pack defense like the Clippers.
Reed Sheppard OVER 21.5 points, rebounds and assists (+107)
Sheppard should see an expanded role in the Rockets' rotation with Durant out. He has cleared this line in seven of the 12 games this season in which he has played at least 28 minutes, showing strong production when given extended run. In the last game Durant missed, Sheppard posted 31 points, nine rebounds, and five assists against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 26. He now faces a Pacers defense that ranks among the top five in points allowed to point guards, making this a strong spot for Sheppard to surpass this line.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
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$8,100+ salaries
Tyrese Maxey, PG, Philadelphia 76ers ($9,400)
The 76ers will continue to lean heavily on Maxey and Embiid with Paul George suspended for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug program. Maxey's fantasy production has fluctuated recently, but he's still averaging 51.1 fantasy points per game this season with a 30.0% usage rate. He also posted 39 points and six assists against the Clippers on Nov. 17, and should find success again against a middle-of-the-pack defense that ranks 17th in defensive rating over the past 15 games.
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets ($9,200)
With Kevin Durant ruled out of Monday's game due to an ankle injury, Sengun should serve as the focal point of the Rockets' offense. He has scored at least 42 fantasy points in five of his past seven games, showing his consistency and ceiling. As one of the league's top centers, he should also find success against the Pacers, who rank No. 21 in defensive rating this season.
Amen Thompson, PG, Houston Rockets ($8,200)
Thompson has been productive in January, averaging 18.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG in 35.9 MPG. That momentum should continue against the Pacers, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to point guards. With Durant out, Thompson should also see increased usage in this matchup.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Naz Reid, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves ($6,300)
Reid has thrived in his role as the Timberwolves' sixth man, providing consistent scoring and energy off the bench. He has scored at least 32 fantasy points in four straight games, including two outings of at least 45 points, highlighted by 47.2 fantasy points against the Grizzlies last Saturday. Reid's ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories makes him an excellent DFS option.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF, Philadelphia Eagles ($5,700)
Oubre finished with 40.5 fantasy points against the Pelicans last Saturday with Paul George sidelined due to suspension. In 17 games this season without George, Oubre has averaged 17.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.5 APG and 1.4 SPG. He should remain busy against the Clippers, positioning him as a strong DFS option and a quality streamer (48.0% rostered) if available in your league.
Dominick Barlow, PF, Philadelphia 76ers ($3,800)
Barlow has moved into the starting lineup as the 76ers continue to navigate Paul George's suspension. In 12 games this season without George, he has averaged 9.8 PPG and 5.9 RPG, modest production that still leaves room for upside at his price point. At $3,800, Barlow offers solid DFS value and could exceed expectations against the Clippers.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
New Orleans Pelicans at Charlotte Hornets
3 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +6.5 (-110) | Hornets -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Pelicans +210 | Hornets -258
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 5.9, straight up 66%, 234.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles)
Hornets: Josh Green, (GTD - Thumb); KJ Simpson, (GTD - Hip); Mason Plumlee, (OUT - Groin)
Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -6.5 (-102) | Pacers +6.5 (-118)
Money line: Rockets -245 | Pacers +200
Total: 219.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 7.8, straight up 71%, 226.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Kevin Durant, (OUT - Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee); Steven Adams, (OFS - Ankle)
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves -7.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +7.5 (-110)
Money line: Timberwolves -285 | Grizzlies +230
Total: 229.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 3.4, straight up 60%, 233.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Back); Julius Randle, (GTD - Thumb); Terrence Shannon Jr., (OUT - Foot)
Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., (GTD - Quadriceps); John Konchar, (OUT - Neck); Santi Aldama, (OUT - Knee); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Toe); (OUT - Calf); Ja Morant, (OUT - Elbow); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle)
Philadelphia 76ers at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers +1.5 (-105) | Clippers -1.5 (-115)
Money line: 76ers +110 | Clippers -130
Total: 220.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 3.1, straight up 59%, 226.4 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Ankle); Paul George, (OUT - Suspension)
Clippers: Derrick Jones Jr., (GTD - Knee); James Harden, (GTD - Personal); TyTy Washington Jr., (GTD - Hamstring); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip)