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

We have a slightly looser schedule for a Monday with only five games remaining. Still, there are some intriguing games and storylines.

The last undefeated team in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers, want to get to 12-0 with a game against the Bulls in Chicago. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh from the terrible injury news of star Chet Holmgren, host a slowly emerging LA Clippers team and Victor Wembanyama is in action, while the San Antonio Spurs host a Sacramento Kings team that just lost one on Sunday Marathon won in overtime.

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

Odds according to ESPN BET

Fantasy streamer for Monday

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

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

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

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

Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards (91.5% available)

George has started four of the last five games for the Wizards while Kyle Kuzma was out (groin) 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 with 33.0 MPG in his last five games.

Dre’s best bets for Monday

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

Without Holmgren, the Thunder will not be the same team in the next few months. Oklahoma City has outscored its 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-Alexanders +10.7).

The Thunder are a strong team and will likely remain formidable, but they are also very small with Holmgren joining Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams on the sideline. Meanwhile, the Clippers have won four games in a row, get excellent inside play from Ivica Zubac, and James Harden should be able to threaten the team throughout the game, putting the Thunder in disadvantageous positions. Oklahoma City may still win at home, but I hope the Clippers at least stay 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’s coming off a back-to-back game this weekend in which he dropped a total of 53 points on the road against two great defenses, the Cavaliers and the Celtics. His defensive opponent will be much weaker on Monday against a Pelicans team 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 established himself as an impact scorer for the Wizards with Kuzma sidelined. He has scored at least 17 points in five of his last seven games, including at least 20 in four of those contests (including 20 in his last outing on Sunday).

Predictions and injury reports

Basketball Power Index from ESPN Analytics. Infringement aggregation from Rotowire.com. Odds according to ESPN BET

Players in italics are available in most ESPN leagues

Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls
8pm ET

Line: Cavaliers -8.5 (-105) | Bulls +8.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers -340 | Bulls +270
In total: 237.5 (-105 E, -115 U)
BPI forecast: Cavaliers by 9.2, 77% direct increase, 231.7 total points.

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

Cavaliers predictions:

• 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 points, 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 points, 2.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

Bulls predictions:

• Nikola Vucevic, C: 35.5 FPTS (19.4 Points, 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 Points, 5.2 Reb, 4.8 Ast)

• Ayo Dosunmu, SG: 24.2 FPTS (12.6 Points, 4.1 Reb, 3.8 Ast)

• Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 19.8 FPTS (10.1 points, 2.6 Reb, 3.2 Ast)

• Patrick Williams, PF: 18.4 FPTS (9.6 Points, 4.3 Reb, 1.9 Ast)

Washington Wizards at Houston Rockets
8pm ET

Line: Wizard +13.5 (-115) | Missiles -13.5 (-105)
Money line: Wizard +550 | Missiles -900
In total: 228.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI forecast: Rises 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 Points, 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 Points, 4.7 Reb, 3.0 Ast)

• Carlton Carrington, PG: 24.8 FPTS (10.7 Points, 4.8 Reb, 4.3 Ast)

• Bilal Coulibaly, SF: 24.1 FPTS (12.7 points, 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)

Missile predictions:

• 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 points, 9.1 Reb, 3.7 Ast)

• Tari Eason, SF: 23.7 FPTS (11.8 Points, 4.8 Reb, 1.3 Ast)

• Amen Thompson, SF/PF: 21.1 FPTS (10.6 Points, 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
8pm ET

Line: Nets -1.5 (-115) | Pelicans +1.5 (-105)
Money line: Nets -125 | Pelicans +105
In total: 210.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI forecast: Nets by 4.8, direct increase of 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 – Rear); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Hand); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Thigh)

Network forecasts:

• 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 Points, 4.4 Reb, 1.3 Ast, 1.8 3PM)

• Ziaire Williams, SF: 16.9 FPTS (8.0 Points, 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 points, 4.8 reb, 1.4 ast)

LA Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder
8:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Line: Clippers +6.5 (-110) | Thunder -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Clippers +220 | Thunder -275
In total: 218.5 (-110E, -110U)
BPI forecast: Thunder by 5.4, direct increase of 67%, 222.2 total points.

Injury report:
Clippers: Mo Bamba, (OUT – knee); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT – Knee); PJ Tucker, (missing – not due to injury)
Thunder: Chet Holmgren, (OUT – Hip); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee); Kenrich Williams, (GTD – knee); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Hand); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Thigh)

Clippers predictions:

• 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 points, 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 Points, 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 points, 3.6 Reb, 1.8 Ast)

Thunder forecasts:

• 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 points, 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 Points, 2.8 Reb, 2.7 Ast)

• Cason Wallace, SG: 14.1 FPTS (5.6 Points, 3.0 Reb, 1.3 Ast)

Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs
8pm ET

Line: Kings -1.5 (-105) | Spores +1.5 (-115)
Money line: Kings -115 | Spores -105
In total: 221.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI forecast: Kings by 2, direct increase of 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 points, 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 points, 2.7 Reb, 2.5 Ast)

• Kevin Huerter, SG/SF: 18.2 FPTS (7.6 points, 3.6 Reb, 2.2 Ast)

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

Spurs predictions:

• 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 Points, 3.7 Reb, 5.5 Ast)

• Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 22.5 FPTS (13.0 Points, 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 Points, 4.9 Reb, 1.6 Ast, 2.0 3PM)

• Stephon Castle, PG: 18.8 FPTS (10.5 Points, 3.0 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

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