Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (12/31)! 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. Herro | L. James | O. Yurtseven | POR/LAL |
| C. Martin | K. Love | S. Ibaka | SA/MEM |
| K. Guy | I. Okoro | S. Adams | MIA/HOU |
| M. Monk | C. Brown | E. Mobley | ATL/CLE |
| J. Morant | J. Butler | M. Robinson | MIN/UTA |
*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 great options at point guard on this slate. Derrick White’s taken over for Dejounte Murray, scoring 43+ DK points in two of his last three games. He gets a great matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, who’ve struggled against the point guard recently. On the other side, Ja Morant is coming off of a 66 DK point performance. He finally looks like he’s returned to form, and he’s locked into big minutes for Memphis. Morant isn’t going to come cheap, but he’s still a bit too cheap for his recent production and role. Kevin Pangos and Damian Lillard can also be considered in cash games on this slate.
At shooting guard, you’re starting with the Miami Heat players. They barely have a roster, meaning Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin are going to be locked into bigger minutes. If Jimmy Butler is out, these two could become the chalkiest options on the entire slate (although they might be regardless). Herro’s coming off of a massive game, while Martin’s consistently flashed when given the playing time. Keep in mind, they each have multiple position eligibility. The only other player I’m considering here is Desmond Bane, and he’s significantly below the Miami option at this point. He’ll be locked into big minutes and a bigger role because of several players missing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant is the player that will take over, but Bane should continue to get his.
GPP
There are so many great tournament options on this slate. Kyle Guy was a great option at Virginia in college, but it never translated to the NBA. He’s averaging 20 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4 assists in 32.2 minutes per game in the G-League, though. Guy will be forced into big minutes for Miami, and he’s absurdly cheap. Immanuel Quickley is playing a bigger role for the New York Knicks, and that should continue with several important players out. He’s flashed upside in the past, and he could look to somewhat take over the offense tonight. Quickley’s somewhat risky for his price, but he’s an outstanding option tonight. Jordan Clarkson, Kemba Walker, Patrick Beverley, and Trae Young can all be considered here as well.
Malik Monk’s taken on a larger role in the Los Angeles Lakers rotation, and he comes with tremendous upside when his shot is falling (or he’s being aggressive). He’s played 30+ minutes in each of his three games since returning, scoring 30+ DK points in two of those games. Monk also gets a great matchup against the Portland Blazers. Jalen Green scored nearly 40 points in 38 minutes in his first game back. He gets a great matchup against the Miami Heat, who have a short rotation with plenty of recently signed options. Green could continue to look to find his shot, and he’s a high upside option for a low price tag. Skylar Mays, Donovan Mitchell, Lonnie Walker, and Luke Kennard are interesting options at shooting guard.
Forward
Cash
Small forward continues to be one of the worst positions on any given slate, and I should’ve used Caleb Martin here. Instead, I’ll simply outline Jimmy Butler who is another elite Miami option if he’s starting. He’s questionable tonight, but he’ll take over the offense if he’s in the lineup. Butler posted 65 DK points in his last game, acting as a top scoring option as well as the facilitator. He gets an elite matchup against the Houston Rockets tonight. This is likely my cash game pool, although I think you can add Nassir Little to the list if you’re in a pinch.
LeBron James continues to perform at an other-worldly level for his age. He’s scored 69+ DK points in three consecutive games, and he gets a great matchup against the Portland Blazers. There’s so much value tonight that it won’t be difficult to fit him into your lineups. Kevin Love is another elite option here, as he’s turned back the clock. He’s played 29 and 32 minutes in his last two games, and he should see similar minutes if Jarrett Allen is out. If Allen returns, Love should strictly be used in GPPs on this slate. He’s an elite per-minute option, though. Keldon Johnson can also be considered here.
GPP
Don’t overthink small forward tonight. The Miami Heat options are significantly better than anyone else at this point. With that being said, Lauri Markkanen and Isaac Okoro come with plenty of upside for their price tags. They each saw somewhat of limited minutes in a blowout last night, but I’m expecting them to play bigger minutes in a closer game tonight. On the other side, Chaundee Brown is locked into big minutes for the Atlanta Hawks. He’s still only $3.6k even though he’s played 32 and 30 minutes in his last two games. Brown isn’t likely to break the slate, but he does boast 25+ DK point upside, and he isn’t a player that will garner a ton of ownership. Kyle Anderson and Norman Powell are other interesting options.
Obi Toppin is one of the most interesting players on this slate. Julius Randle’s been ruled out tonight, and Toppin could draw the start. If that’s the case, I’d consider him in cash games. If he isn’t starting, he’s a solid GPP option. He’s flashed when given extended minutes, and Toppin gets a plus matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Marcus Morris has taken on a significantly larger role in the Los Angeles Clippers offense, and that could be the case if Reggie Jackson is out again tonight. He’s scored 35+ DK points in four consecutive games, including 40+ DK points in three of them. Morris gets a solid matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Aric Holman, Jaren Jackson, Lu Dort, and Devin Vassell can all be considered here.
Center
Cash
You’re starting your lineups with Omer Yurtseven tonight. He’s been playing at a high level, and he’s one of the only bigs available for the Miami Heat. He’s far too cheap, and Yurtseven is the first player you’re plugging into your lineups on this slate. The Los Angeles Clippers are without the majority of their bigs in this game, leaving Serge Ibaka to take over bigger minutes. Although he may not play 30+ minutes on this slate, Ibaka is near the minimum price. He’s performed well on a per-minute basis, and he’s expected to play 20-25 minutes tonight.
GPP
Evan Mobley flashed as one of the primary scorers for the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, although he wasn’t able to contribute at an elite level in any other category. He does come with that potential, though, and he’ll continue to see a massive offensive role. If Jarrett Allen is out, Mobley is a great GPP option. Steven Adams is a great option as well. He’ll face off against the San Antonio Spurs, who have struggled against centers throughout the season. Adams comes with double-double potential, and he can contribute in other categories as well. He’s entirely too cheap for his upside. Mitchell Robinson and Taj Gibson are two other solid options. The Knicks are without several bigs, although neither of these two is a consistent option. Larry Nance, Jakob Poeltl, and Clint Capela are interesting options as well.
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