Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (11/2)! 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 |
| C. Cunningham | G. Antetokounmpo | B. Adebayo | SAC/UTA |
| G. Hill | T. Antetokounmpo | D. Ayton | MIL/DET |
| D. Booker | J. Butler | R. Gobert | HOU/LAL |
| D. Graham | J. Grant | J. Valanciunas | NO/PHX |
| D. Mitchell | L. James | R. Holmes | MIA/MIL |
*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
We have two terrible misprices at point guard on this slate. First, Cade Cunningham is priced at only $3.6k again. He played 19 minutes in his first game of the season, scoring only 14.75 DK points. He shot only 1/8 from the floor, though. Cunningham’s a versatile guard and far too talented to be priced under $4k. George Hill is locked into big minutes for an injured Milwaukee Bucks team, and he’s expected to play 30+ minutes again tonight. He’s scored 20+ DK points in 5 consecutive games, and he’s far too cheap, especially on this small of a slate. Chris Paul is also a bit too cheap for a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, and he can be considered if you’re looking to spend up at this position in cash games.
You’re likely locking in Cunningham at shooting guard with his eligibility and moving on. Shooting guard isn’t a great position in terms of cash games. Similar to point guard, you can spend up on a Phoenix Suns guard here. Devin Booker is the high-priced option in cash games, although there’s very little reason to go there at the moment. Still, he’s posted 43.5 and 53.5 DK points in his last 2 games, and he gets a great matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. Grayson Allen is locked into solid minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he’s a bit too cheap on this slate, as well. He’s a relatively safe option, although he’s fairly dependent on scoring. He’s a decent cash game option because of the size of this slate.
GPP
Devonte’ Graham’s listed as questionable tonight, but he’ll make an outstanding option if he’s active. He isn’t the safest option on the slate, but he continues to flash 40+ DK point upside. Graham’s a bit part of the New Orleans Pelicans offense, as he’s taken 16+ shot attempts in each of his last 4 games. Kyle Lowry’s been an iffy option for the Miami Heat this season, although he’s coming off of a 39.25 DK point performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. He isn’t a top option in the Miami offense, but his ability to add peripherals gives him enough upside to be considered tonight. Mike Conley, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Porter Jr. can be considered here, as well.
Donovan Mitchell sticks out as an elite tournament option on this slate. He hasn’t flashed as much upside as many have expected early this season. Still, we know it’s there, as he recently scored 47.75 DK points while shooting only 9-27 from the field. Tyler Herro looks significantly better this season, as he’s posted 37+ DK points in 4 of his 6 games. Herro’s been an efficient scorer with plenty of volume on any given night. He makes a high-upside option against the Dallas Mavericks tonight. Jalen Green and Tyrese Haliburton can also be used in GPPs tonight.
Forward
Cash
Small forward is a relatively weak position on this slate. Jimmy Butler’s looked elite in recent games, scoring 50+ DK points in each of his last 4 games. He gets a reasonable matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. He’s the top option at a terrible position tonight. LeBron James is another player I’d consider here. He’s outstanding in transition, and the Houston Rockets feature one of the worst transition defenses in the NBA this season. If you need to save salary here, Grayson Allen, who was mentioned above, is the top option.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the highest owned player on this slate, and he likely should be. He boasts as much upside as anyone on this slate, and he gets a great matchup against the Detroit Pistons tonight. With Milwaukee dealing with so many injuries, Thanasis Antetokounmpo can be used in all leagues. He scored 31.75 DK points in 32 minutes in his last game. Although he may not see over 30 minutes again, he likely doesn’t need more than 20-25 to exceed value at his current price tag. He’s a safe option with tremendous upside if he’s given the minutes.
GPP
One player that sticks out is Jordan Nwora, although he comes with terrible risk. He’s expected to play 20-25 minutes, and he’s flashed tremendous upside in the past. With that being said, he’s scored single-digit fantasy points in each of his last 2 games. If Brandon Ingram is healthy tonight, he’ll make a solid option as the focal point of the New Orleans Pelicans offense. He’s been safe for his current price tag, as well. Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, and Josh Hart make solid tournament options on this slate, as well.
Jerami Grant comes with tremendous scoring upside with the ability to contribute in other categories, as well. Many believe Cade Cunningham’s passing ability will take Grant’s scoring potential to the next level, as well. He’s still a bit cheap for his upside, making him a great option in GPPs on this slate. Bobby Portis is expected to play tonight with several players out for the Milwaukee Bucks. He saw only 19 minutes in his last game, scoring 24.75 DK points. Portis has always been an elite per-minute option, and he could see his minutes increase to 20-25 tonight. If that’s the case, he can easily outscore his price tag, although I currently prefer him more in GPPs than cash games. Anthony Davis is another power forward that can be considered tonight.
Center
Cash
Bam Adebayo’s questionable tonight. If he’s able to suit up, he’ll make an elite option. He’s coming off of a 57.75 DK point performance, and the Dallas Mavericks don’t feature anyone who will be able to slow Adebayo down in the paint. Deandre Ayton’s another cash game option on this slate. He’s also questionable tonight, but he’s posted 40 and 53.75 DK points in his last 2 games. It looks as if his off-season issues are behind him, making him a solid option against a bad New Orleans Pelicans defense. Rudy Gobert isn’t going to come cheap, but he gets an elite matchup against the Sacramento Kings. He posted 48.5 DK points in their only matchup this season, and Gobert boasts 20/20 potential in this matchup.
GPP
Jonas Valanciunas could shift into a cash game play depending on injuries. Devonte’ Graham and Brandon Ingram are questionable, and Valanciunas will make an elite option if they’re out. Even if they play, he comes with tremendous upside. Overall, he’s averaging 51.6 DK points per game over his last 5 games. Richaun Holmes gets a tough matchup against the Utah Jazz, but he’s slightly too cheap tonight. He boasts tremendous upside in any matchup, although Gobert’s defensive ability adds to Holmes’ risk. Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk are reasonable options, as well.
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