Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (11/6)! 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 |
| D. Schroder | J. Tatum | A. Horford | LAL/POR |
| S. Milton | F. Korkmaz | D. Ayton | PHI/CHI |
| C. McCollum | G. Niang | C. Capela | ATL/PHX |
| A. Caruso | A. Davis | J. Embiid | BOS/DAL |
| D. Lillard | D. DeRozan | J. McGee | UTA/MIA |
*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 could be a slate where you’re looking to load up on as many guards as possible rather than forwards. Jaylen Brown’s been ruled out for the Boston Celtics, and Dennis Schroder is expected to start for him. He’s been playing well for the majority of the season, although his price tag doesn’t represent that. He’s far too cheap on this slate. Shake Milton’s another point guard who is mispriced on this slate. The Philadelphia 76ers are dealing with several injuries, and Milton should see 30+ minutes once again tonight. He’s coming off of a 37 DK point performance, and he’s an elite salary relief option. If you’re looking to spend up at point guard, Damian Lillard is an interesting option. He’s struggled this season, but there are only 5 games, and he gets an elite matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Chris Paul can be considered here, as well.
There are plenty of PG/SG eligible players listed above. The only other shooting guard I’m looking to add to the cash game conversation is C.J. McCollum, who I have listed in the “Safe GPP” section. He’s performed well in 2021, although I slightly prefer him in tournaments. He can be considered in cash games if you’re in a pinch.
GPP
Russell Westbrook’s struggled at times this season, specifically for his ridiculous price tag. He’ll make an outstanding option if Anthony Davis is also ruled out tonight, though. Regardless, this is a good matchup for him, and we know Westbrook comes with triple-double upside. He can be considered in GPPs, although he is a bit overpriced if Davis starts. Alex Caruso would be a cash consideration if there weren’t several great guard options on this slate. He’s scored 20+ DK points in 5 of his last 6 games, flashing 30 DK point upside. He’s an outstanding option against an injured Philadelphia 76ers team. Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Tyrese Maxey can be considered here, as well.
Other options here depend on injuries. If Donovan Mitchell is starting, he can be used in GPPs tonight. If he’s out, Jordan Clarkson will see a big boost in value. If Kyle Lowry is out tonight, Tyler Herro becomes a significantly better play, as well. Devin Booker boasts tremendous upside, and he gets a solid matchup against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. He’s coming off of a 50 DK point performance, and he’s a strong GPP option tonight. I’ll also mention that Jalen Brunson will become a great option if Kristaps Porzingis isn’t able to suit up on this slate. Seth Curry is another option that can be considered with so many injuries in the Philadelphia rotation.
Forward
Cash
Furkan Korkmaz will be locked into big minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s playing around 25 minutes with injuries, although he could see up to 30 tonight. It’s important to note that he’s also questionable, so keep an eye on his status before the game. Luka Doncic is another option that can be considered because of the lack of options at this position. Doncic always comes with upside, and he’s finally been playing at a higher level in recent games. If Donovan Mitchell is ruled out, Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic will make cash game options. If he’s playing, they can only be considered in GPPs.
Jayson Tatum will take on a massive offensive role with Brown out tonight. Although he’s been struggling in recent games, Tatum will be a volume option at a weaker position tonight. I’m also willing to consider DeMar DeRozan in this slot. He isn’t going to come cheap, but he’s been playing at an elite level as a small-ball power forward for the Chicago Bulls. He posted 53 DK points against the Philadelphia 76ers in his last game, and they don’t have anyone that will be able to guard him tonight. John Collins can also be considered here if he’s starting.
GPP
Jimmy Butler’s the most obvious GPP option at small forward. He’ll go overlooked because of his matchup against the Utah Jazz, but he boasts upside against anyone in the NBA. Butler boasts triple-double upside, and he’s posted 47+ DK points in 5 of his last 6 games. Georges Niang is one of the top plays on this slate. He should see plenty of playing time with the injuries throughout the Philadelphia rotation, and he’s averaging 31.3 DK points per game over his last 3 games. Niang can be considered in cash games on this slate, as well.
Anthony Davis can be considered here for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s taking on a massive role this season, and that will continue without LeBron James tonight. Carmelo Anthony can also be used here, and he’ll gain value if Davis is ruled out. Kristaps Porzingis gets a great matchup against the Boston Celtics tonight. He’s questionable, though, and the injury concern makes him strictly a GPP option, even if he’s announced as the starter. Robert Covington and De’Andre Hunter can be considered, as well.
Center
Cash
The top center options in cash play for the Boston Celtics, as the Dallas Mavericks have struggled to guard the position this season. Al Horford’s quietly looked outstanding Boston this season. He’s the preferred option, as Robert Williams hasn’t performed overly well with Horford on the floor. Still, either of the two can be considered. Deandre Ayton is also a solid option, even with his injury concern. He’s expected to play around 30 minutes tonight, and he’s looked elite on a per-minute basis over his last 3 games.
GPP
Clint Capela is off his minutes limit, and he makes an outstanding option against the Phoenix Suns. I don’t necessarily mind Capela in cash games if you’re looking to go that route, but he’s below the options listed above at the moment for me. Joel Embiid hasn’t performed overly well in recent games, but he’s still the focal point of the Philadelphia offense. He’s an option that can be used for his elite upside. If you need to save salary at this position, JaVale McGee continues to dominate on a per-minute basis. He’s still too cheap for getting around 18 minutes. Bam Adebayo can also be used in GPPs tonight.
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