Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (1/29)! 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 |
| L. Doncic | D. Sabonis | J. Embiid | SAC/PHI |
| N. Alexander-Walker | K. Porzingis | New Orleans | BKN/GS |
| J. Harden | J. Tatum | S. Adams | WAS/MEM |
| G. Vincent | H. Barnes | B. Adebayo | IND/DAL |
| S. Curry | J. Butler | R. Holmes | BOS/NO |
*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
Luka Doncic’s been playing at a high level for the Dallas Mavericks. He gets a plus matchup against the Indiana Pacers, who’ve been struggling with injuries. Doncic isn’t going to come cheap, but he’s an elite option at the top of this slate. If you need to save a bit more salary, Nickeil Alexander-Walker should continue to find minutes as the New Orleans Pelicans are without a full rotation. He’s played 30+ minutes in three consecutive games, easily exceeding value in each game. That should be the case again tonight. Stephen Curry is another interesting option here. The Brooklyn Nets are a significantly worse defense with Kyrie Irving on the floor, and they struggle with Curry’s skillset. He scored 62.75 DK points against them in only 29.2 minutes earlier this season, and he’s a solid high-priced option tonight. You can also consider Devonte’ Graham, Jalen Brunson, and Tyler Herro here.
GPP
The Brooklyn Nets are still without Kevin Durant. Kyrie Irving will play tonight, though, which will take away from James Harden. Both Brooklyn guards come with tremendous upside, especially in such an important matchup. I wouldn’t play them together, but either of the duo can be used in tournaments tonight. Ja Morant is another high-priced option I’d consider. Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones are expected to return, which will take away from Morant’s current role. If they two are out again, Morant can slide into the cash conversation. Gabe Vincent continues to play well in the absence of Kyle Lowry, and the latter is out again tonight. Vincent isn’t the safest option on the slate, but he’s scored 30+ DK points in three of his last five games, and he’s still only $5k. Fred VanVleet, Marcus Smart, and Gary Trent Jr. can all be used at guard as well. Depending on the status of Seth Curry, the Philadelphia 76ers guards make solid options.
Forward
Cash
I’m likely looking to spend up a bit at forward tonight. Domantas Sabonis has been elite with Myles Turner out of the lineup. Malcolm Brogdon is also out tonight while others are questionable. Regardless, the offense will run through Sabonis, and he’s an elite option for under $10k. Kristaps Porzingis is another higher-priced player in that game that can be considered in all leagues. He isn’t locked into massive minutes, but he’s seeing plenty of a role. Porzingis also gets a solid matchup against Indiana. Of the two, I prefer Sabonis by a relatively wide margin. Jimmy Butler is also taking on a larger role in the offense with Kyle Lowry out. He’s a triple-double threat, and he gets a solid matchup against the Toronto Raptors. He recently posted 50+ DK points against them, and we could see something similar tonight. You can also consider Desmond Bane, Tobias Harris, Dorian Finney-Smith, Herbert Jones, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are all solid options to consider at forward tonight.
GPP
Jayson Tatum gets a solid matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, and he’s flashed in recent games. The Pelicans don’t have anyone that will be able to slow him down defensively, and he’s a high upside option. Jaylen Brown is another great higher priced play for the Boston Celtics tonight. Harrison Barnes isn’t the most consistent player in the NBA, but he boasts tremendous upside for his price tag. He gets an interesting matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Barnes is a boom or bust option for the Sacramento Kings tonight. Josh Hart isn’t going to come cheap, but he makes a solid GPP option tonight. He’s a versatile player, and New Orleans will be without Brandon Ingram. Hart does possess the capability to take over the Pelicans’ offense. You can also use Al Horford, Kyle Kuzma, and Scottie Barnes in GPPs on this slate.
Center
Cash
You’re likely looking to start center with Joel Embiid tonight. He’s on an absolute tear as he’s making his case for the MVP. He boasts an elite usage rating, and he gets a matchup against the Sacramento Kings. They don’t have anyone that will slow him down if this game stays close. The New Orleans Pelicans situation is one to keep an eye on. If Jonas Valanciunas is playing, he can be considered here. If he’s out, Willy Hernangomez will make an elite option once again. He’ll be a lock in cash games if Valanciunas is out. Richaun Holmes is starting to play bigger minutes once again, making him too cheap. Although I don’t love the matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, Holmes shouldn’t be priced under $5k. He’s a great salary relief option on this slate.
GPP
I considered adding Bam Adebayo to the cash game pool, but I slightly prefer him in GPPs. He’s a big part of the Miami Heat offense, and he’s seeing a larger role with Kyle Lowry out. Adebayo gets a plus matchup against a smaller Toronto Raptors lineup, and he boasts tremendous upside in this game. Steven Adams can also be used here. He gets a great matchup against the Washington Wizards. With that being said, Adams has an extremely small role in the Memphis Grizzlies offense. He’s best suited for GPPs because of that. Kevon Looney, Pascal Siakam, and Robert Williams can also be considered here.
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