Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (10/28)! 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. Curry | L. Doncic | M. Harrell | MEM/GS |
| D. Melton | A. Wiggins | J. Embiid | ATL/WAS |
| B. Beal | J. Jackson | N. Vucevic | UTA/HOU |
| J. Brunson | R. Barrett | R. Gobert | SA/DAL |
| J. Poole | J. Tate | S. Adams | DET/PHI |
*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
At the top of point guard, you’re deciding between Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic. Luckily, Doncic has small forward eligibility, allowing me to focus on Curry at the top of guard. He’s coming off of a bad game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he posted 58+ DK points in his other 3 games. Curry also gets a great matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. If you need to save a bit of salary here in cash games, Derrick White and Mike Conley make interesting options. They’re similar plays at this point, although I slightly prefer Conley in cash games for $400 less.
Shooting guard starts with De’Anthony Melton in cash games, and there isn’t anyone particularly close to him on this slate. He’s coming off of a 16 DK point performance, where he played only 25 minutes after shooting 0-8 from the field. He should return to bigger minutes after scoring 27+ DK points in each of his first 3 games. Melton also comes with significantly more upside than his price tag suggests, and he gets a plus matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Jordan Poole is likely better suited for tournaments, but I don’t mind him in cash games on this slate. He’s posted 27+ DK points in 3 of his 4 games this season, and Poole has a massive role in the Golden State offense. This is by far the best game to attack this slate, and Poole is still a bit too cheap for his scoring ability in this type of matchup.
GPP
Jalen Brunson sticks out as a solid salary relief option in tournaments tonight. He’s coming off of a 35.5 DK point performance, and he should continue to see minutes in the mid- to high-20s. Brunson comes with plenty of upside in this matchup. Ja Morant and Trae Young are great options under Curry and Doncic. I slightly prefer Morant, who’s gotten off to a hot start this season. Lonzo Ball quietly comes with triple-double potential, and he gets a plus matchup against the New York Knicks tonight. Although he isn’t a massive scoring threat for the Chicago Bulls, Ball can contribute in the five categories, giving him plenty of upside in this matchup. If you need a salary relief option with upside, Damion Lee can be considered, as this game should feature plenty of scoring.
With Doug McDermott ruled out, Lonnie Walker and Devin Vassell become great options. I’d likely consider either in cash games, although they are both reliant on scoring. Still, they’ll both find minutes in the high-20s or low-30s, and they can each be used on this slate. Bradley Beal hasn’t truly flashed yet this season, as he hasn’t shot over 37% from the field in any of his 3 games. Still, he’s posted 39+ DK points in 2 of his 3 games, and he boasts elite upside when his shot is falling. Zach LaVine is another high upside option, who can score points (and fantasy points) in a hurry. I’m not worried about the matchup against the New York Knicks, and LaVine’s already flashed 50+ DK point upside.
Forward
Cash
Luka Doncic could become one of the chalkier options because of his PG or SF eligibility. Most importantly, that means he’s eligible for guard or forward (along with utility), as well. It allows you to use him in several spots, increasing his ownership. Although he won’t come cheap, Doncic’s scored 58+ DK points in each of his last 2 games, and he’s a great option. Andrew Wiggins hasn’t been the safest option early this season, but this is a matchup play. The Memphis Grizzlies have struggled against small forwards, and Wiggins comes with tremendous upside in this matchup. Desmond Bane continues to be underpriced, and he’s another outstanding cash game option tonight.
Power forward is one of the most interesting positions, as no one truly stands out as a must-start in cash games. Jaren Jackson Jr. isn’t the safest option in the NBA, but he’s a solid option here. I have him listed as a “Safe GPP” play because of that inherent risk with his game, but he can be considered at such a weak position. If Jerami Grant is out, Saddiq Bey can be considered in all leagues, even with a difficult matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. With Kristaps Porzingis officially ruled out, Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finey-Smith make solid options for far too cheap tonight.
GPP
There are several solid tournament options at small forward tonight, and it starts with RJ Barrett. He hasn’t looked great early this season, but Barrett is a bit too cheap for his talent level. He’s locked into solid minutes, and he can be used in GPPs against the Chicago Bulls. Kyle Kuzma’s locked into a big role for the Washington Wizards, and he’s looked good early this season. He’s a double-double threat, and Kuzma is still a bit too cheap on this slate. Evan Fournier’s another interesting option at small forward, especially on this small of a slate.
Jae’Sean Tate quietly comes with tremendous upside for the Houston Rockets. He’s playing big minutes for Houston, although he isn’t a safe option. Tate also gets a tough matchup against the Utah Jazz, adding to his risk. Keldon Johnson’s coming off of a terrible game, but he gets a solid matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. He should be locked into a bit role with Doug McDermott injured, and he’s in a great bounce-back spot tonight. Julius Randle and John Collins are two more interesting options in GPPs on this slate.
Center
Cash
Center is relatively easy in cash games on this slate. With Daniel Gafford ruled out, Montrezl Harrell will be locked into all cash game lineups. He’ll likely be the chalkiest player on the slate, and there isn’t any reason to avoid him at this point. Harrell’s averaging 1.13 DK points per minute this season, and he’ll likely see 30+ minutes tonight. The other option to continue in cash games is Joel Embiid. He hasn’t looked like his elite self early this season, but he gets a matchup against the Detroit Pistons, who struggle against opposing centers. Detroit doesn’t feature anyone that will be able to slow Embiid down, and he’s an elite option tonight.
GPP
Nikola Vucevic’s seen mixed results early in his Chicago Bulls career, and he makes an outstanding tournament option tonight. The New York Knicks have struggled at times against centers, and Vucevic should see a big role once again for Chicago. Rudy Gobert is an elite rebounder, and the Houston Rockets don’t feature anyone that will be able to slow him down in the paint. He’s averaging 18.7 points and 19 rebounds per game this season, and he’s a 20/20 threat in any given matchup. Steven Adams struggled with fouls last night, but he’s looked great when given the minutes in 2021. Jakob Poeltl, Dwight Powell, and Clint Capela are two more interesting options in GPPs on this slate.
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