Fantasy basketball picks and betting tips for Monday’s NBA slate

We’ve got a lighter schedule for a Monday with only five games on tap. Even so, there are some intriguing games and storylines.

The last remaining undefeated team in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers, look to go to 12-0 with a game against the Bulls in Chicago. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off horrible injury news for star big man Chet Holmgren, host a quietly surging LA Clippers squad, and Victor Wembanyama is in action as the San Antonio Spurs host a Sacramento Kings team that just won an overtime marathon Sunday.

As always, we’ll dig deeper into the matchups and identify some fantasy streamers and betting angles.

Odds by ESPN BET

Fantasy streamers for Monday

Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans (available in 74.8% of ESPN leagues)

Alvarado has started the last six games for the Pelicans with Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum out injured. Alvarado has played well in his six starts, but has increased his production over the past three games, averaging 22.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.7 RPG, 4.7 3PG and 2.0 SPG in 34.7 MPG.

Brandon Boston Jr., New Orleans Pelicans (88.0% available)

Boston is another player that has stepped into a larger role in the Pelicans’ backcourt. He has started the last three games and averaged 20.0 PPG (53.5 FG%, 100.0 FT%, 40.0 3P%), 4.0 APG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 3PG, 1.3 SPG and 0.7 BPG in 37.7 MPG.

Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards (91.5% available)

George has started four the past five games for the Wizards with Kyle Kuzma (groin) sidelined and has played well. The rookie has averaged 13.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.8 3PG, 1.4 SPG and 1.0 BPG in 33.0 MPG over his past five games.

Dre’s best bets for Monday

LA Clippers (+6.5) over Oklahoma City Thunder (-105).

The Thunder won’t be the same team without Holmgren for the next several months. Oklahoma City has outscored opponents by 16.9 PPG while Holmgren is on the court (best on OKC) and has been 9.3 points better per 100 possessions (second-best behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s +10.7).

The Thunder are a deep team and will likely remain formidable, but are also very small with Holmgren joining Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Clippers have won four straight games, are getting excellent interior play from Ivica Zubac, and James Harden should be able to threaten the paint all game, putting the Thunder in disadvantageous positions. Oklahoma City may still win at home, but I look for the Clippers to at least make it competitive if they don’t win outright.

Cam Thomas over 23.5 points (-125)

Thomas has scored at least 24 points in six of his 10 games this season. He is fresh off a back-to-back this weekend in which he dropped a combined 53 points on the road against two excellent defenses in the Cavaliers and Celtics. His defensive opposition will be much lighter on Monday, against a Pelicans squad that has allowed 27.1 PPG to opposing shooting guards, tied for the worst mark in the NBA.

Bilal Coulibaly over 14.5 total points (-105)

Coulibaly has stepped up as an impact scorer for the Wizards with Kuzma sidelined. He has scored at least 17 points in five of his past seven games, with at least 20 in four of those contests (including 20 in his last outing on Sunday).

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues

Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET

Line: Cavaliers -8.5 (-105) | Bulls +8.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers -340 | Bulls +270
Total: 237.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 9.2, straight up 77%, 231.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Cavaliers: None reported
Bulls: Zach LaVine, (GTD – Thigh); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Wrist)

Cavaliers projections:

• Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 37.9 FPTS (23.5 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.7 3PM)

• Darius Garland, PG: 35.9 FPTS (19.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.7 3PM)

• Evan Mobley, PF/C: 30.3 FPTS (16.8 pts, 8.0 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.8 blk)

• Jarrett Allen, C: 30.0 FPTS (14.7 pts, 10.7 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.3 blk)

• Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 24.2 FPTS (11.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.8 ast)

• Ty Jerome, PG: 16.1 FPTS (7.4 pts, 1.6 reb, 3.4 ast)

• Isaac Okoro, SG/SF: 14.7 FPTS (6.9 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

Bulls projections:

• Nikola Vucevic, C: 35.5 FPTS (19.4 pts, 9.5 reb, 3.2 ast)

• Coby White, PG/SG: 35.0 FPTS (20.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.9 3PM)

• Zach LaVine, SG/SF: 30.4 FPTS (19.6 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Josh Giddey, SG/SF: 26.3 FPTS (12.9 pts, 5.2 reb, 4.8 ast)

• Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 24.2 FPTS (12.6 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.8 ast)

• Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 19.8 FPTS (10.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.2 ast)

• Patrick Williams, PF: 18.4 FPTS (9.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.9 ast)

Washington Wizards at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET

Line: Wizards +13.5 (-115) | Rockets -13.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizards +550 | Rockets -900
Total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 13.1, straight up 85%, 230.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Wizards: Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee); Carlton Carrington, (GTD – Leg); Kyle Kuzma, (GTD – Groin); Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD – Thumb)
Rockets: Steven Adams, (GTD – Knee)

Wizards projections:

• Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 32.1 FPTS (18.7 pts, 2.0 reb, 4.1 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 26.5 FPTS (14.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.6 ast)

• Kyshawn George, SG: 26.0 FPTS (13.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 25.6 FPTS (15.7 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.0 ast)

• Carlton Carrington, PG: 24.8 FPTS (10.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.3 ast)

• Bilal Coulibaly, SF: 24.1 FPTS (12.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.1 ast)

• Alexandre Sarr, PF/C: 21.2 FPTS (10.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.8 blk)

Rockets projections:

• Fred VanVleet, PG: 36.6 FPTS (15.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Jalen Green, SG: 34.5 FPTS (21.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.8 3PM)

• Alperen Sengun, C: 34.4 FPTS (17.7 pts, 9.1 reb, 3.7 ast)

• Tari Eason, SF: 23.7 FPTS (11.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Amen Thompson, SF/PF: 21.1 FPTS (10.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 20.3 FPTS (10.4 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.3 ast)

• Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 19.6 FPTS (12.0 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 3PM)

Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. ET

Line: Nets -1.5 (-115) | Pelicans +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets -125 | Pelicans +105
Total: 210.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Nets by 4.8, straight up 65%, 218.1 total points.

Injury Report:
Nets: Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot); Trendon Watford, (OUT – Hamstring); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OUT – Hamstring)
Pelicans: Trey Murphy III, (GTD – Hamstring); CJ McCollum, (OUT – Thigh); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Shoulder); Jordan Hawkins, (OUT – Back); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Hand); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Hamstring)

Nets projections:

• Cam Thomas, SG: 37.1 FPTS (25.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Dennis Schroder, PG: 36.6 FPTS (18.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.4 ast, 2.5 3PM)

• Cameron Johnson, SF/PF: 26.8 FPTS (15.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Nic Claxton, C: 22.4 FPTS (9.8 pts, 8.3 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.4 blk)

• Ben Simmons, PG/PF: 19.2 FPTS (5.6 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF: 18.7 FPTS (8.5 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Ziaire Williams, SF: 16.9 FPTS (8.0 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.6 ast)

Pelicans projections:

• Brandon Ingram, SF: 36.2 FPTS (21.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Jose Alvarado, PG: 26.2 FPTS (12.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 23.2 FPTS (10.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.3 3PM)

• Brandon Boston Jr., SG: 20.0 FPTS (9.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.6 ast)

• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF/C: 16.2 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.2 ast)

• Javonte Green, SF: 16.2 FPTS (7.7 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.2 ast)

• Yves Missi, C: 14.8 FPTS (6.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.4 ast)

LA Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Line: Clippers +6.5 (-110) | Thunder -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Clippers +220 | Thunder -275
Total: 218.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 5.4, straight up 67%, 222.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Clippers: Mo Bamba, (OUT – Knee); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT – Knee); P.J. Tucker, (OUT – Not Injury Related)
Thunder: Chet Holmgren, (OUT – Hip); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee); Kenrich Williams, (GTD – Knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Hand); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Hamstring)

Clippers projections:

• James Harden, PG/SG: 40.6 FPTS (18.6 pts, 7.3 reb, 7.4 ast, 2.6 3PM)

• Ivica Zubac, C: 33.0 FPTS (15.8 pts, 12.0 reb, 3.0 ast)

• Norman Powell, SG/SF: 31.9 FPTS (20.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.6 ast, 3.0 3PM)

• Kevin Porter Jr., SG: 16.7 FPTS (8.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Kris Dunn, PG: 16.4 FPTS (6.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 16.3 FPTS (8.7 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.1 ast)

• Terance Mann, SG/SF: 15.9 FPTS (7.8 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.8 ast)

Thunder projections:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: 47.8 FPTS (27.2 pts, 5.9 reb, 6.2 ast)

• Jalen Williams, PF: 37.3 FPTS (19.3 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.7 ast)

• Aaron Wiggins, SG: 19.5 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.9 ast)

• Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 18.9 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.7 ast)

• Isaiah Joe, SG: 17.3 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• Alex Caruso, PG/SG: 16.9 FPTS (5.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.7 ast)

• Cason Wallace, SG: 14.1 FPTS (5.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.3 ast)

Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET

Line: Kings -1.5 (-105) | Spurs +1.5 (-115)
Money line: Kings -115 | Spurs -105
Total: 221.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Kings by 2, straight up 57%, 228.0 total points.

Injury Report:
Kings: Devin Carter, (OUT – Shoulder); Malik Monk, (GTD – Ankle); Orlando Robinson, (GTD – Knee)
Spurs: Malaki Branham, (GTD – Ankle); Tre Jones, (OUT – Ankle); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT – Thumb)

Kings projections:

• Domantas Sabonis, PF/C: 42.6 FPTS (19.3 pts, 13.1 reb, 6.5 ast)

• De’Aaron Fox, PG: 42.3 FPTS (25.1 pts, 5.2 reb, 5.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)

• DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF: 38.9 FPTS (24.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.5 ast)

• Keegan Murray, SF/PF: 28.7 FPTS (13.7 pts, 8.7 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Malik Monk, SG/SF: 20.6 FPTS (11.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.5 ast)

• Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 18.2 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.2 ast)

• Keon Ellis, SG: 12.5 FPTS (5.7 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.1 ast)

Spurs projections:

• Victor Wembanyama, C: 38.7 FPTS (21.6 pts, 11.4 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.2 3PM, 4.0 blk)

• Chris Paul, PG: 26.0 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.5 ast)

• Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 22.5 FPTS (13.0 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.8 ast)

• Keldon Johnson, SF: 20.5 FPTS (10.8 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.6 ast)

• Julian Champagnie, SF: 19.5 FPTS (9.5 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Stephon Castle, PG: 18.8 FPTS (10.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.3 ast)

• Harrison Barnes, PF: 16.8 FPTS (8.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.8 ast)