Bales’ NBA Game Theory (2/15)

Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (2/15)! 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.

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Guards

Cash

This is an interesting slate with several different ways you can go. Lance Stephenson is expected to take on a larger role with several players out for the Indiana Pacers, including Chris Duarte. If Malcolm Brogdon is out, Stephenson will become that much better of a play tonight. If you can get to the top of this position, Luka Doncic is an elite option. He’s been playing at an extremely high level, and Kristaps Porzingis is out of Dallas now. The biggest concern with Doncic is that you can also use Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid as potentially better options, and you can’t use all three of them. Devin Booker is another solid option here. He scored 30 DK points while shooting 5/22 from the field in his only matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, and Booker comes with tremendous upside on this slate. Trae Young, D’Angelo Russell, Reggie Jackson, and Patrick Beverley can all be considered here as well.

GPP

Ja Morant’s cooled off in recent games, but he’s still a massive part of the Memphis Grizzlies offense. He gets a plus matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight, and he found success against them earlier this season. Morant is questionable tonight, but he’ll make a solid tournament option if he’s active. Terry Rozier’s coming off of a near triple-double after triple-doubling in the game before that. He gets a great matchup against the Minnesota Wolves, who’ve struggled against shooting guards this season. Rozier quietly comes with elite upside, although he isn’t going to come cheap anymore. Chris Paul gets a plus matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who’ve struggled against scoring point guards throughout the season. Although Paul isn’t a player that focuses heavily on his scoring, he does come with plenty of potential in that aspect of the game. He’s another high-upside option in this matchup. You can also consider LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland, Jrue Holiday, and Tyrese Haliburton here.

Forward

Cash

I’m starting forward with the Indiana Pacers. Oshae Brissett is entirely too cheap on this slate after scoring 43+ DK points in each of his last two games, and he’ll continue to see a massive role in their offense. Buddy Hield is also ina. great spot tonight. The Milwaukee Bucks struggle defending the three, and Hield is an elite shooter. If he catches fire, he comes with tremendous upside. If you can get to the top of this position, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler can be considered. The Pacers simply don’t have anyone in their frontcourt that will be able to slow down Antetokounmpo. He’s the second-best high-priced option behind Joel Embiid tonight. Maxi Kleber and Terance Mann are two more interesting options in cash games on this slate. They can both be considered if you need to save some salary here.

GPP

Jarred Vanderbilt and Kelly Oubre Jr. are great options in the best game environment on the slate. They’ve both been struggling a bit in recent games, although they also come with tremendous upside. This is a great matchup for each player, as their opponents have struggled against each of their positions. Vanderbilt’s risk comes with his lack of consistent minutes, although he can score fantasy points in limited time on the floor. Oubre’s shot has been ice cold in recent games, although he comes with plenty of potential in this game. Brandon Clarke is a solid option here in the same situation as Vanderbilt. If he gets the time, he’s an elite option. Jalen Smith can be considered in cash games if you need the salary relief, but he’s likely riskier than Kleber, who comes with a similar price tag. Smith is finally on a new team that is willing to give him minutes, though, and he’s a great per-minute option. You can also use Miles Bridges, Anthony Edwards, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Desmond Bane here.

Center

Cash

There are two very clear options that I want to use in cash games at center. Clint Capela should be locked into bigger minutes with John Collins out. He’s an outstanding per-minute option, and he should see 30+ minutes tonight. The simplest way to put it is that Capela isn’t priced for the role he should have tonight. You’re also using Joel Embiid here, who is one of the most expensive options on the slate. He’s scored 59+ DK points in 10 of his last 11 games, including 83 DK points last week. James Harden still isn’t playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Embiid is the biggest priority play on this slate.

GPP

With my focus being on Capela and Embiid in cash games, there are several elite GPP options at this position. Karl-Anthony Towns gets an elite matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, who are arguably the worst team in the NBA against centers. He’s an elite option tonight. Deandre Ayton gets a great matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. He’d be a cash game option if I knew he would play 30+ minutes, but there are blowout concerns, and Ayton’s been limited in recent games. Similar to Antetokounmpo, the Indiana Pacers don’t have anyone that will be able to slow down Bobby Portis tonight. I wouldn’t use them together, but Portis is a cheaper way to get a piece of Milwaukee’s bigs. You can also consider Bam Adebayo, Ivica Zubac, and Montrezl Harrell here.

 

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