Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (10/29)! 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 |
| J. Harden | J. Butler | N. Jokic | IND/BKN |
| T. McConnell | B. Brown | R. Holmes | LAC/POR |
| G. Trent | O. Anunonby | J. Valancinuas | CHA/MIA |
| D. Lillard | W. Barton | M. Bamba | SAC/NO |
| C. Anthony | P. George | D. Sabonis | DAL/DEN |
*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
There are several elite point guard options on this slate. James Harden continues to be underpriced, although he hasn’t produced early this season. Harden’s a triple-double threat with elite scoring potential, though. It’s only a matter of time before the “old Harden” returns. If LeBron James is ruled out tonight, Russell Westbrook will become the top expensive cash game option at point guard. With Malcolm Brogdon out, TJ McConnell is an elite option tonight. He’ll likely be locked in as one of the best plays on the slate if Caris LeVert is also ruled out tonight. He’s far too cheap for his per-minute numbers, especially on this slate. Other point guards to consider in cash games are Reggie Jackson and Devonte Graham.
After playing only 4 minutes in his first game, Bruce Brown’s averaging 22.1 DK points in 30.7 minutes per game over his last 3 contests. Brown boasts guard and forward eligibility, and he’s still priced under $4k. He’s an elite salary relief option tonight. Fred VanVleet’s the other cash option at shooting guard. He struggled early this season, but he’s posted 50+ DK points in each of his last 2 games. VanVleet’s a massive part of the Toronto Raptors offense, and he’s still a bit too cheap on this slate. CJ McCollum and Chis Duarte can be considered in cash games, as well. Duarte will become riskier if LeVert is playing in this game tonight.
GPP
Damian Lillard’s another elite-level player who’s struggled to start the season. He gets a great matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who’ve struggled against point guards this season. Lillard posted only 18.25 DK points in his first game against LA, and he’s an elite GPP pivot tonight. Jalen Brunson can be considered in cash games if you need to salary relief, although he may be better suited for GPPs. He’s posted 35+ DK points in each of his last 2 games, and I’ll firmly bump him to a cash game option if Kristaps Porzingis is ruled out. Cole Anthony’s taken a massive step forward early this season, averaging 47 DK points over his last 3 games. Anthony gets a plus matchup against the Toronto Raptors, and he’s a high-upside option tonight. De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and Collin Sexton can also be considered in GPPs tonight.
Gary Trent is quietly playing at a high level, but his price tag doesn’t represent that. He’s posted 28+ DK points in 3 of his last 4 games, and Trent is locked into big minutes for the Toronto Raptors. Terance Mann is another salary relief option who’s too cheap for his upside. He’ll benefit from a plus matchup against the Portland Blazers, as well. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is performing well, although we haven’t seen his ceiling yet this season. He’ll benefit from the matchup against the Sacramento Kings, and he’s an outstanding option. If Terry Rozier is out tonight, Cody Martin can be considered here. Patty Mills is another solid salary relief option in GPPs.
Forward
Cash
Jimmy Butler is the top cash option at small forward. He’s posted 50+ DK points in each of his last 2 games, and he’s surprisingly cheap for a great matchup tonight. If you can get to the top of this position, Kevin Durant is a solid option in all leagues. He’s a safe option with tremendous upside. Nicolas Batum is expected to play 30+ minutes tonight, and he’s far too cheap for those minutes. He also gets an elite matchup against the Portland Blazers tonight. Will Barton is still a bit too cheap for his role in the Denver Nuggets offense, especially if Nikola Jokic is out tonight. He’s a solid option in all leagues on this slate.
Power forward continues to be one of the most interesting positions, as there generally isn’t one player that stands above the rest. If Kristaps Porzingis is ruled out again tonight, Maxi Kleber can be considered in all leagues. He posted 45 DK points last night, and he could see locked into big minutes again tonight. After a slow start, OG Anunoby has taken the next step, averaging 42.9 DK points over his last 3 games. He’s slightly better suited for tournaments, but this is such a weak position early in the day. Anunoby can be considered in all leagues because of that. Brandon Ingram is another option worth considering, although he’s behind butler, who’s the same price.
GPP
There aren’t many small forwards that I’m looking to add to my player pool that weren’t listed somewhere above. Franz Wagner continues to be underpriced, as he’s a safe option with upside. He’s playing well enough to be considered in cash games, as well, but you likely don’t need his salary relief on this slate. Paul George is the player that sticks out. He’s cooled off after an elite start to the season, but he gets a great matchup against the Portland Blazers tonight. He shouldn’t be considered in cash games, but he’s an elite GPP option. Harrison Barnes and Miles Bridges are two more options that can be considered, although I don’t love the matchup for either of them.
Evan Mobley’s been playing at a high level for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I believe the rookie comes with more than enough upside to be considered on this slate. He boasts the potential to contribute in each of the five categories at some level, and he’s an outstanding GPP option. Aaron Gordon will make an elite option if Nikola Jokic is out tonight. He’s far too cheap for that, but he’s also a solid tournament option if Jokic can suit up. If Norman Powell is out, Nassir Little can be used here, as well.
Center
Cash
If he’s starting and healthy tonight, Nikola Jokic makes a great option in cash games. He needed only 15 minutes to score 41.5 DK points in his last game after scoring 50+ DK points with a 70 DK point ceiling in his first 3 games. Richaun Holmes is one of the most mispriced players on this slate. He’s scored 29+ DK points in each of his 4 games, flashing 45+ DK point upside. He also gets a plus matchup against Jonas Valancinuas and the New Orleans Pelicans. Speaking of Valanciunas, he’s a viable option. I have him listed as “Safe GPP,” but I’m fine with him in cash if you’re in a tight situation. He’s been playing extremely well, and Sacramento doesn’t have the size to slow him down. Bam Adebayo’s questionable tonight, and he’s an interesting option in this matchup. He’s my fourth option in cash at this position, though, making it difficult to get him into your cash builds for his price.
GPP
Mo Bamba continues to be a guy I’m attacking in GPPs. He gets an interesting matchup against the Toronto Raptors, who don’t boast the size to slow him down inside. Domantas Sabonis is another interesting option at center. He’s coming off of a terrible game, but he’s flashed tremendous upside this season. Sabonis also gets a plus matchup against the Brooklyn Nets tonight. Jusuf Nurkic, Wendell Carter, and Precious Achiuwa can also be considered in GPPs on this slate.
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