Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (1/11)! In this article, I’ll outline my favorite cash game and GPP options at each of the positions. I’ll utilize our Projections Portal when making decisions about what types of leagues specific players are best suited for. You can get all of my Core Plays along with our Cheat Sheets, projections, and Premium Discord channels with our Premium NBA Package.
| Guards | Forwards |
Centers | Game Stacks |
| S. Gilgeous-Alexander | J. Hart | N. Jokic | MIN/NO |
| M. Morris | J. Crowder | P. Siakam | TOR/PHX |
| S. Curry | J. Robinson-Earl | I. Zubac | GS/MEM |
| R. Jackson | A. Edwards | J. Valanciunas | OKC/WAS |
| F. VanVleet | B. Ingram | N. Vucevic | DET/CHI |
*If you don’t already play 3 max entry contests daily, try using the teams provided in the stacks above to maximize upside and correlation in your NBA lineups.
Guards
Cash
This is one of the weirder six-game slates in recent memory. Fred VanVleet is playing at an extremely high level, recording 50+ DK points in 8 of his last 10 games while flashing 75+ DK point upside. He gets a good matchup against the Phoenix Suns, who’ve struggled against scoring PGs throughout the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s been struggling in recent games, but he’s a bit too cheap for this slate. He gets a solid matchup against the Washington Wizards, who he posted over 40 DK points against earlier this season. Although he isn’t the safest player in the world, this slate has very few safe options. With Will Barton out, Monte Morris should take on a larger role in the Denver Nuggets rotation. He’s scored 22+ DK points in each of his last four games, and he comes with significantly more upside than that. Morris is still under $5k, and he’s a top option on this slate. You can also consider Patrick Beverley, Ja Morant, Bones Hyland, and Austin Rivers here, depending on how much salary you have left.
GPP
Stephen Curry sticks out as an interesting expensive option. He’s far too expensive to trust in cash games, but he gets an elite matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. They’ve struggled above the break this season, where Curry is an elite option. He’s averaging over 60 DK points per game against them this season. Reggie Jackson is another interesting option as his price tag’s dropped quite a bit. He hasn’t seen a consistent role in recent games for the Los Angeles Clippers, but he does come with plenty of upside. Jackson also gets a solid matchup against the Denver Nuggets tonight. The Phoenix Suns will need someone to go toe-to-toe with VanVleet tonight, and that will likely be Devin Booker. He should see an elite role in the offense as he tries to match VanVleet’s production, and pairing the two in GPPs is an elite strategy on this slate. Lonzo Ball, Devonte’ Graham, Facundo Campazzo, and Cameron Payne are all intriguing GPP options on this slate as well.
Forward
Cash
You can potentially start forward with both of the New Orleans Pelicans options. Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart are both great options on this slate. Ingram’s the focal point of the offense, and he gets a plus matchup against the Minnesota Wolves. Hart isn’t as big of an offensive option, although he comes with plenty of upside. Instead, he’s a versatile player that can add peripheral stats at an elite level. He’ll benefit from what could turn into an extremely fast-paced game environment. Jae Crowder is a player that is grossly underpriced on this slate. He returned in the Phoenix Suns last game, and he should see 30+ minutes with Cam Johnson out tonight. Crowder isn’t a massive part of the offense, but he’s far too cheap for getting 30+ minutes on this slate. Nicolas Batum and DeMar DeRozan are two more options that can be considered at forward.
GPP
I don’t love a ton of extra forward plays tonight. Anthony Edwards’ been playing at an extremely high level, and he’s surprisingly cheap. I do believe he can be considered in cash games, although I prefer him slightly in GPPs. He gets a solid game environment against the New Orleans Pelicans, and Edwards is one of the better options on this slate. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is an extremely cheap option that boasts some upside. He gets a great matchup against the Washington Wizards, although he isn’t a traditional center. Still, he can contribute in multiple categories, and he boasts 15+ point potential when his shot is falling. Saddiq Bey gets an interesting matchup against the Chicago Bulls, who’ve struggled against forwards at times throughout the season. He still boasts an elite role for the Detroit Pistons, making him a high-upside tournament option on this slate. You can also consider Josh Giddey, Trey Lyles, Kyle Anderson, and Jarred Vanderbilt here.
Center
Cash
The top of center is absolutely loaded tonight, and it might be optimal to spend up on two options here. Nikola Jokic might end up being the highest-owned player on the slate, and for good reason. He boasts an elite floor, and he dominated the Los Angeles Clippers in their only matchup this season. He’s an elite play. Pascal Siakam is another great option here. I don’t necessarily love the matchup, but he isn’t a traditional center that someone like Ayton can easily guard. He has such a large role in the Toronto Raptors offense that he’ll see more than enough opportunities to exceed value. I’d also be willing to consider Deandre Ayton and Ivica Zubac here, but they sit well below Jokic and Siakam at the moment for me.
GPP
Nikola Vucevic is an extremely versatile option in a massive role for the Chicago Bulls. He gets a great matchup against the Detroit Pistons, who don’t have the size to slow him down. Jonas Valanciunas and Karl-Anthony Towns will face off in a matchup against each other. Both teams struggle to defend centers, and each player comes with tremendous upside. Valanciunas is elite for his price tag, but I worry about foul troubles, which is why I don’t have him as a cash game option. Kevon Looney and Brandon Clarke are cheaper options that can be considered in tournaments tonight.
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