Welcome to another edition of Bales’ Top GPP plays. In this article, I will outline my favorite NBA GPP plays for today’s games. If you want all of my core plays along with our staff’s Final Thoughts article and access to our Discord, click here.
Guards
Darius Garland
Garland’s been enjoying a breakout in limited games so far this season. He’s averaging 17.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals (34.2 fantasy points) in 35.5 minutes per game over 6 contests. Garland’s posted 28+ fantasy points in 5 of those 6 games, as well. Furthermore, he’s flashed elite upside, scoring 41.5 and 53.25 fantasy points in his first pair of games this season.
Garland gets a plus matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, who rank fifth in the NBA in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency this season. They recently traded multiple pieces for James Harden, though, and I expect their defense to take a step back as the season progresses. Surprisingly, Garland’s usage rating sits only a couple of percentage points above 20% this season, and that’s expected to be the case again tonight. He’s tentatively projected to play 30+ minutes if he returns from a shoulder injury. Garland’s a player that will go overlooked because of the stars and scrubs options tonight, but he makes an elite tournament play if he’s announced as a starter on full minutes.
Cole Anthony
Anthony’s seen mixed results in a bigger than anticipated role as a rookie. Through 14 games, he’s averaging 10.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists (21.9 fantasy points) in 24.2 minutes per game. Anthony’s averaging 23.9 fantasy points per game in 7 contests with 27+ minutes. He also recently posted 40.25 fantasy points in 29 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets.
Anthony gets a great matchup against the Minnesota Wolves tonight. Minnesota currently ranks seventh in the league in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Anthony’s usage rating fluctuates quite a bit, ranging from 16% to 36% over his last 5 games. It’s likely to sit between 20-25% with plenty of usage upside. Anthony’s also expected to play minutes in the high-20s or low-30s tonight. He’ll find plenty of opportunities with Markelle Fultz out for the season and Evan Fournier and Michael Carter-Williams out tonight. Anthony certainly comes with risk, but he also comes with tremendous upside if his shot is falling.
NOTE: Fournier is available to play tonight. Anthony loses a bit of value, but still can be considered in GPPs.
Bigs
Brandon Clarke
Clarke’s performed well through 13 games this season. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals (27.1 fantasy points) in 29.2 minutes per game. With that being said, Clarke’s averaging 32.4 fantasy points in 32.0 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He’s scored 30+ fantasy points in 4 of his last 5 contests, including a pair of games with 40+ fantasy points.
Clarke gets a matchup against the Portland Blazers, who rank 11th in the NBA in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. His usage rating sits around 20%, although he isn’t a big that truly boasts triple-double potential. With that being said, he has the ability to contribute in each of the five categories on any given night. Clarke’s also expected to play 30+ minutes with Jonas Valanciunas and Jaren Jackson Jr. out tonight. He’s a big that will benefit from the pace of this game, and Portland’s post defense will struggle with Enes Kanter playing big minutes because of an injury to Jusuf Nurkic. Xavier Tillman is the chalky big for the Memphis Grizzlies on this slate, causing Clarke to go overlooked and making him an outstanding GPP option.
Christian Wood
Wood’s in the midst of a breakout season that the majority of NBA fans were expecting. Through 11 games, he’s averaging 23.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.7 blocks (44.7 fantasy points) in 33.3 minutes per game. Wood’s scored 45+ fantasy points in 6 of his last 9 games, including 58 and 54.75 fantasy point performances against the San Antonio Spurs in 2 of his last 3 contests.
Wood gets an interesting matchup against the Phoenix Suns tonight. They rank 29th in the league in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency this season. Wood boasts a usage rating north of 25%, and it’s sat above 30% in 3 of his last 4 games. He’s expected to play a larger role in the offense with James Harden out, as he continues to be a focal point of the offense. Wood will continue to play 30+ minutes tonight, and he boasts double-double potential with the ability to contribute in the other categories, as well. Wood is a center that is likely to go overlooked with players like Tillman and Nikola Vucevic soaking up ownership. He could go a bit under-owned tonight.
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