Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (12/11)! 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. Melton | C. Martin | N. Jokic | SAC/CLE |
| K. Lowry | T. Davis | S. Adams | HOU/MEM |
| T. Herro | H. Barnes | J. Jackson | UTA/WAS |
| D. Garland | L. Markkanen | R. Gobert | CHI/MIA |
| D. Murray | E. Mobley | J. Allen | DEN/SA |
*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 a few solid cash game options that can be considered at point guard on this slate. Kyle Lowry should be one of the chalkier options as he continues to take over with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo out. He hasn’t been a consistent shot taker this season, but he recorded 21 FGA in his last game, and he could continue to see plenty of shots in this type of matchup. Dejounte Murray is another great high-priced option. He’s a triple-double threat with a big offensive role for the San Antonio Spurs. He gets a solid matchup against the Denver Nuggets tonight, and Murray is one of the best spend-ups on this slate. You can also consider Tyus Jones, Tyrese Haliburton, and Ricky Rubio here.
De’Anthony Melton is a great option in cash games on this slate. His minutes continue to be relatively inconsistent, and they should sit in the mid-20s tonight. Still, he’s found plenty of success on a per-minute basis, and Melton still comes with a reasonable price tag. Armoni Brooks is another great cheap option at shooting guard. He’s played 29+ minutes in 3 of his last 5 games, scoring 30+ DK points in each of those games. The Houston Rockets continue to deal with injuries, and Brooks should find roughly 30 minutes in this game as well. Derrick White and Troy Brown Jr. are other shooting guards that can be used tonight.
GPP
Darius Garland’s found plenty of success in recent games, flashing 60 DK point upside. He gets an elite matchup against the Sacramento Kings, who feature the worst defense in the NBA against opposing guards. Garland’s also found significantly more success at home in 2021. Desmond Bane’s caught fire in recent games, as he’s taken over the offense for the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s scored 39+ DK points in 3 of his last 4 games, and Bane gets a great matchup against the Houston Rockets. He should continue to find plenty of shot attempts, making him a high-upside option once again. Davion Mitchell, Jordan Poole, and Lonzo Ball are all interesting options in GPPs tonight.
Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are two options for the Miami Heat that could garner some ownership, although I prefer both in GPPs. Robinson’s struggled mightily at home this season, although he comes with far too cheap of a price tag for his potential. Herro hasn’t taken over the offense the way many expected with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo out. Still, Herro comes with the potential to take over any game offensively, and he isn’t overly expensive on this slate. Donovan Mitchell’s a great option in a plus matchup against the Washington Wizards. He’s scored 45+ DK points in 5 of his last 6 games with the one exception being a blowout against the Philadelphia 76ers. Zach LaVine, Garrison Matthews, and Monte Morris can all be considered here as well.
Forward
Cash
You’re likely saving salary at small forward tonight. Caleb Martin is likely the most mispriced player on the slate, and he could end up being the highest-owned. He’s playing big minutes for the Miami Heat, and he’s found success while on the floor in his last few games. Martin’s likely the first player you’re inserting into all lineups tonight. Terence Davis has been starting for the Sacramento Kings, and he’s looked outstanding. He’s posted 29+ DK points in 4 consecutive games, flashing 40 DK point upside. Davis only saw 22 minutes as he struggled with fouls in his last game, but he’s an elite option as long as he’s starting tonight. These are the two clear options at small forward tonight.
I don’t love power forward tonight, but there are a couple of options that stick out. Evan Mobley’s seen mixed results in recent games, but he gets an elite matchup against the Sacramento Kings tonight. Mobley’s still reasonably priced for his talent, and he’s performed better at home. He’s an option that can be considered because of how weak the position is on this slate. P.J. Tucker is the other player that can be used here. He’s coming off of a 40 DK point performance, although Tucker generally isn’t a dominant fantasy option. He should be locked into bigger minutes, though, and he’s near the minimum price tonight. Marvin Bagley’s another cheap option that can be considered here.
GPP
Harrison Barnes’ seen mixed results in recent games, specifically since returning from injury. He only played 26 minutes last night, though, suggesting he could play full minutes tonight. Barnes is still a bit underpriced, and I don’t truly mind him in cash games. I like him slightly more in GPPs because I worry about his minutes. Jae’Sean Tate’s come back down to earth in recent games, although he still boasts tremendous upside. He should see lower ownership because of his price tag, but he gets a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies in a game environment that he should thrive in. Dillon Brooks, Otto Porter Jr., and Doug McDermott are other options to consider at small forward.
Lauri Markkanen’s playing a “Big Ball” 3 for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. He’s been playing well, posting 30+ DK points in 2 of his last 3 games while dealing with inconsistent minutes. Markkanen gets a great matchup against the Sacramento Kings tonight. He boasts plenty of upside in this game, and Markkanen’s a high upside GPP option. With Kyle Kuzma ruled out, Deni Avdija makes an interesting option. He’s performed well at times this season, and Avdija could see bigger minutes tonight. If he’s announced the starter, he will slide into the cash conversation, but I’m listing him here for the time being. You can consider Keldon Johnson and Tobias Harris here as well.
Center
Cash
There are two centers that stand above the rest at the moment for cash games. Nikola Jokic is arguably the best fantasy option in the NBA this season. He isn’t going to come cheap, but he’s extremely consistent and boasts as much upside as anyone on this slate. Jokic is averaging 66.9 DK points per game against the San Antonio Spurs this season, and he’s a great option in all leagues. If you need to save a bit of salary here, Steven Adams is locked into big minutes for the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s struggled in his last couple of games, but he’s played 30 minutes in each game. Adams gets a great matchup against the Houston Rockets, and he’s a great option in all leagues tonight.
GPP
Jarrett Allen continues to play at a high level for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s averaging 43.3 DK points per game over the last 10 days, and he’s flashed 50+ DK point upside in recent games. Allen gets a matchup against an injured Sacramento Kings team, and he’s an elite option on this slate. Rudy Gobert is another center that gets an elite matchup tonight. The Washington Wizards don’t have anyone that can match Gobert’s size, and he owns 20/20 upside. He comes with tremendous block upside as well. Jaren Jackson Jr., Nikola Vucevic, Tristan Thompson, and Jakob Poeltl can all be considered on this slate tonight.
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