Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (11/9)! 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 |
| T. Maxey | B. Portis | G. Antetokounmpo | POR/LAC |
| C. McCollum | F. Korkmaz | A. Drummond | MIL/PHI |
| J. Holiday | P. George | I. Zubac | ATL/UTA |
| D. Lillard | L. Kennard | R. Gobert | – |
| D. Mitchell | J. Collins | R. Covington | – |
*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
The point guard that stands above the rest in cash games tonight is Tyrese Maxey. He’s averaging 36.2 DK points in 42.7 minutes per game over his last 3 games. The Philadelphia 76ers are dealing with several injuries throughout their rotation, and Maxey is expected to see around 40 minutes once again tonight. Jrue Holiday is still a bit too cheap, as he played 30 minutes in his last game. He looks like he’s back to a full role with the Milwaukee Bucks, and he can also be considered in cash games tonight. George Hill is a cheaper option that can be used here, as well. He’s a cheap option that will see minutes.
At shooting guard, you’re likely looking toward CJ McCollum in cash games. His price dipped nearly $1k from his last few games. He’s a featured part of the Portland Blazers offense, and he gets a plus matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. He’s the clear-cut high-priced option at this position.
GPP
The Los Angeles Clippers have struggled against point guards throughout the season, and Damian Lillard is one of the best in the NBA. Although he hasn’t flashed his elite upside at this point, he’s posted 39+ DK points in 6 of his last 7 games. Reggie Jackson isn’t going to come cheap at this point, although he’s posted 30+ DK points, including a 51.25 DK point performance, in each of his last 3 games. He’ll benefit from a plus matchup against the Portland Blazers tonight, as well. Mike Conley and Shake Milton are two more options that can be considered at point guard.
There are a plethora of mid-priced shooting guard options that will steal ownership from each other on this slate. Grayson Allen’s quietly played a massive role in the Milwaukee Bucks offense, scoring 32.25 and 38.25 DK points in his last 2 games. He gets a plus matchup against an injured Philadelphia 76ers defense. Speaking of Philadelphia, Seth Curry is taking on a larger role in their offense. He saw 41 minutes in his last game, and he posted his highest assist total of the season. If you can spend up here, Donovan Mitchell is an extremely high upside option. He’s taking 20+ shot attempts on a nightly basis, and Mitchell gets a plus matchup against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Terance Mann and Bogdan Bogdanovic can also be considered here.
Forward
Cash
Furkan Korkmaz is the lock at small forward tonight. As the Philadelphia 76ers continue to deal with injuries, Korkmaz continues to be a featured part of the offense. He’s scored 19 and 25 points in his last 2 games, topping 30 DK points in each contest. He’s still under $5k, but he’ll see 30+ minutes once again tonight. You can also consider Danny Green here, as he’ll be locked into big minutes, as well.
This is probably the easiest starting five in terms of DFS we’ve had all year. Bobby Portis is grossly mispriced, as he scored 45.25 DK points in 31 minutes in his last game. He’s expected to play around 30 minutes again tonight. Portis has always been a great per-minute option throughout his career, and he should have no problems scoring at a high level again in this game. There aren’t many other options to be considered here, as the other elite option will be outlined at center.
GPP
Paul George is one of the top options here, and I’d be willing to consider him in cash games if you have the ability. He’s been performing at an elite level without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup, and the Portland Blazers are arguably the worst team in the NBA against small forwards. George is an elite option, even with his high price tag. Luke Kennard’s seen mixed results throughout the season, although his minutes have been steadier in recent games. He’s locked into a solid role for the Los Angeles Clippers, and he gets an elite matchup against Portland tonight. De’Andre Hunter and Bojan Bogdanovic can be used here, as well.
There aren’t many players I love at power forward tonight, but John Collins makes an interesting option. He’s a bit of a boom or bust option, but those inconsistencies have kept his price tag relatively low. The Utah Jazz feature an elite offense, but they’ve struggled at times against power forwards this season. Collins makes a high-upside option on this slate. Royce O’Neale is a cheap source of minutes here, and he can be used as salary relief tonight.
Center
Cash
There are two clear-cut centers tonight that you’re going to be using. With Joel Embiid out, Andre Drummond is an elite option. He isn’t going to come cheap anymore, but he’s played 30+ minutes twice this season, scoring 51.75 and 56.75 DK points. Drummond is an elite option tonight. The other “center” is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s locked into big minutes and Philadelphia doesn’t feature anyone that will be able to slow him down. It won’t be difficult to fit his price tag in cash games tonight, and Antetokounmpo is an elite option in all leagues tonight.
GPP
Ivica Zubac’s played 28+ minutes in each of his last 3 games, averaging 31.3 DK points per game in those contests. Zubac’s also averaging 21.9 DK points in only 23.3 minutes per game against the Portland Blazers this season, and he boasts tremendous upside for his price tag. Rudy Gobert is coming off of his best game of the season, and he’s a 20/20 threat with elite block and steal potential. He scored 40.75 DK points a few games ago against the Atlanta Hawks, and he’s a great tournament option on this slate. Robert Covington is a solid salary relief option at this position. He’s been playing at a higher level in recent games, scoring 26+ DK points in each of his last 3 contests. Covington tends to disappear when on the court, but he does come with quite a bit of upside for his current price.
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