Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (12/20)! 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. Haliburton | C. Metu | J. Embiid | CHA/UTA |
| B. Hield | J. Green | N. Vucevic | SAC/GS |
| D. Mitchell | J. Christopher | R. Gobert | HOU/CHI |
| D. Murray | K. Johnson | S. Adams | SA/LAC |
| S. Curry | D. DeRozan | J. Poeltl | OKC/MEM |
*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
Teams continue to deal with Covid outbreaks, which has made specific slates relatively chalky. The top cash game options at guard are the Sacramento Kings options. With De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, and Terence Davis out, Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield are taking on larger roles in the offense. Haliburton’s scored 40+ DK points in each of his last 3 games, while Hield’s coming off of a 43.75 DK point performance. They both boast elite upside, yet neither has priced himself out at this point. On the other side of this game, Stephen Curry is an elite option. He’s the most expensive guard on the slate, but Sacramento’s been the worst team in the NBA against opposing guards this season. There are a few more solid options in cash games, including Coby White, Damion Lee, and Alex Caruso.
GPP
Dejounte Murray is arguably my favorite player on this slate. He’s an extremely versatile option, who can score points in a hurry. He’s a triple-double threat that gets an elite matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who’ve struggled against point guards this season. Murray posted 60.5 DK points in their only matchup this season, and Murray is seemingly going overlooked at this point in the day. Donovan Mitchell is another elite high-priced option on this slate. He gets an elite matchup against the Charlotte Hornets in what could be the best game environment on the slate. Mitchell’s been consistent, but his boosted price tag should keep his ownership relatively low on this slate. Lonzo and LaMelo Ball are two versatile players who are playing big roles in their respective offenses. They’re high upside options on this slate, as well. You can consider Derrick White, Desmond Bane, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Isaiah Joe at guard tonight.
Forward
Cash
Forward is a bit more open, although it does start with the Sacramento Kings. Chimezie Metu’s played 30+ minutes in each of his last 2 games, scoring 25.5 and 38.75 DK points. He’s performed well when given the minutes throughout the season, and he’s expected to find 30+ minutes once again tonight. Metu could be the highest owned player on this slate. Javonte Green returned to the Chicago Bulls lineup last night, scoring 26 DK points in 35 minutes. He hasn’t always produced while on the court, but Green is near the minimum price on this slate, and he’s expected to play 30+ minutes. If that’s the case, he’ll be an easy salary relief option, especially in an elite matchup against the Houston Rockets. DeMar DeRozan is another Chicago player that I like tonight. He isn’t going to come cheap, but he’s locked into a massive offensive role after seeing 24 FGA and 17 FTA last night. Houston doesn’t come with the defense to slow DeRozan down. Dillon Brooks, Harrison Barnes, and Otto Porter Jr. are two more interesting options here.
GPP
There are a few interesting forward options on this slate. Keldon Johnson’s quietly been playing extremely well for the San Antonio Spurs. He’s posted 36.75 and 38.5 DK points in his last 2 games, and he gets a great matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. Johnson’s price tag is surprisingly low on this slate, and he’d be a solid cash game option if there were other clear plays here. Josh Christopher’s played bigger minutes as he gets more involved in the Houston Rockets rotation. He’s seen 27+ minutes in each of his last 3 games, scoring 23+ DK points in each of those games. Christopher’s expected to continue to see plenty of minutes, and he’s still priced under $4k. Jaren Jackson Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, Lu Dort, and Jayson Tatum can all be considered in GPPs at forward tonight.
Center
Cash
There are only two centers I’m currently considering for cash games, although my pool will likely expand throughout the day depending on more news. Joel Embiid is questionable, but he gets a solid matchup against the Boston Celtics tonight. If he’s starting, he’ll be locked into big minutes and a massive role for the Philadelphia 76ers. He posted nearly 60 DK points against them in their only matchup this season, and Embiid is an elite option. Nikola Vucevic also has a massive role in the Chicago Bulls offense, especially with Zach LaVine out. He gets an elite matchup against the Houston Rockets, who’ve consistently struggled against centers throughout the season. With so much value on this slate, it shouldn’t be difficult to fit either of these two in your lineups.
GPP
One of the top centers on this slate is Rudy Gobert, who is no longer losing any playing time to Hassan Whiteside. Gobert boasts 20/20 potential with the ability to add assists, blocks, and steals to his lines. He gets an elite matchup against the Washington Wizards, who are likely to struggle with his size in this game as well. Steven Adams gets a great matchup against his former team, and his minutes have been relatively secure recently. If he’s playing 30+ minutes in this game, he’ll make an elite option for his price tag. Jakob Poeltl is another high upside player that hasn’t been as consistent in recent games. Still, he gets a good matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, and Poeltl comes with plenty of upside. Other centers to consider tonight include Richaun Holmes, Ivica Zubac, Robert Williams, and Mason Plumlee.
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