Bales’ NBA Game Theory (2/5)

Welcome to Bales’ NBA Game Theory (2/5)! 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

You’re starting cash games with the Oklahoma City Thunder guards tonight. Tre Mann is entirely too cheap for his new role without several players in their rotation. He’s taking on a significantly larger role in the offense, and he gets an elite matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Josh Giddey is another elite option. He’s playing as the facilitator of the offense, and he comes with triple-double potential. This is a pace-up spot for Giddey and company, and he should see plenty of opportunities to score fantasy points. Anfernee Simons is another interesting option here. He’s a bit too cheap for the Portland Blazers without Norman Powell, who was recently traded. Simons also gets a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, who force opponents to shoot the three. LaMelo Ball, CJ McCollum, Devin Booker, and Ty Jermone are all other options that can be considered here.

GPP

Spencer Dinwiddie sticks out as one of the better tournament options tonight. His price is up, which adds to his risk, but Dinwiddie’s looked outstanding without Bradley Beal in the lineup this season. He gets a plus matchup against the Phoenix Suns, who have struggled against scoring point guards. Dinwiddie’s coming off of a triple-double, and he’s a high-upside option on this slate. Terry Rozier gets a tough matchup on paper against the Miami Heat. With that being said, they’ve struggled against shooting guards throughout the season, and Rozier comes with tremendous upside. He’s a boom or bust option on this slate, and sometimes that’s the type of upside we want to attack in GPPs. Malik Monk is another boom or bust option. He’s scored 41.75 and 57.5 DK points in two of his last three games with a 15.5 DK point performance between those. He gets an interesting matchup against the New York Knicks, and Monk should see a solid offensive role with LeBron James doubtful and Carmelo Anthony out. You can also consider Jrue Holiday, Tyler Herro, and De’Aaron Fox here. If Fox is out, Tyrese Haliburton will make an outstanding option.

Forward

Cash

Again, you’re starting forward with the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re dealing with several injuries, and Darius Bazley is locked into big minutes. He can contribute in each of the five categories, and he’s averaging 20 rebound chances per game over his last two games. He’s entirely too cheap on this slate. Lu Dort is another elite option here, especially at small forward, which is the worst position on the slate. He’s taking on a larger offensive role, and he’s one of the safest Thunder tonight. He just won’t come as cheap as some of the other options. If you can spend up at power forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo is an elite option. He’s coming off of a 75.75 DK point performance, and he gets an elite matchup against a short-handed Portland Blazers team. They don’t have anyone that will be able to slow down Antetokounmpo, and he’s an elite option tonight. You can also consider Julius Randle, who is in a revenge spot against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kyle Kuzma, and CJ Elleby here.

GPP

There are two small forwards that I like here a lot, and I considered them both in cash games. For what it’s worth, the position is so bad that they can be considered in cash, but I slightly prefer them in GPPs. Those players are Jimmy Butler and Khris Middleton. Butler’s been playing extremely well for the Miami Heat, but I worry about his role with their roster more or less healthy. He didn’t facilitate nearly as much in their last game, but he gets an elite matchup against the Charlotte Hornets tonight. Middleton gets a great matchup against the Portland Blazers, and he’s performed extremely well on the road this season. I’m only concerned that this quickly becomes a blowout and Middleton isn’t the reason. Other forwards to consider in GPPs include Harrison Barnes, Jae Crowder, and PJ Washington.

Center

Cash

There are a few elite centers on this slate with two sticking out above the rest. Mamadi Diakite played 30 minutes in his last game for the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 29.25 DK points. He’s the minimum price. He’s essentially a free square at the moment, and he also has power forward eligibility. Anthony Davis’ playing extremely well with LeBron James out of the lineup, but his price tag doesn’t truly represent what he’s been doing. He’s scored 58+ DK points in three of his last four games. He also gets a solid matchup against the New York Knicks. You can also add Jusuf Nurkic in here because Diakite can be used at power forward. Nurkic saw 19 shots in Portland’s last game, and he should continue to see a bigger role with Norman Powell and others out of town. He’s an elite option.

GPP

How can you not look at Bam Adebayo tonight? He isn’t cheap enough to be used in cash games, but he’s an elite GPP option. He gets arguably the best matchup in the NBA against the Charlotte Hornets, and Adebayo posted nearly 60 DK points against them in their first matchup this season. Deandre Ayton is in an elite spot, but his minutes are questionable. He’s expected to return to relatively normal minutes tonight, but the uncertainty leaves him in my GPP pool. Bobby Portis is another high-upside option that also comes with quite a bit of risk. His price tag is down a bit, and he’s a solid tournament option tonight. You can also consider Richaun Holmes, Mason Plumlee, and Montrezl Harrell at this position.

 

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