Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Tuesday night's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Kyle Soppe and Joe Kaiser, plus DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Renee Miller -- Tim Hardaway Jr., Atlanta Hawks
With Hardaway, I feel like I'm getting an $8,000 player for around $6,000 tonight and I can't shake the value-liciousness of it. First, Hardaway Jr. is past his minor injuries, playing at least 36 minutes in three of his last four games. Second, the Hawks need to win here to lock up the five-seed in the East. Charlotte has been a top-five matchup for shooting guards in terms of fantasy points allowed, and Hardaway Jr. is averaging 22 points, five rebounds and five assists over his past three games. Hardaway Jr. works in any lineup whether you want to go high end with Karl-Anthony Towns or stick with the mid-tier value plays.
Joe Kaiser -- Victor Oladipo, Oklahoma City Thunder
With Russell Westbrook sitting out his first game of the season in order to rest up for the playoffs -- like one game will do that after a half season's worth of triple-doubles -- much of the scoring and playmaking for OKC in tonight's game will fall on Oladipo. Expect him to score at least right around 20 points and add five rebounds, five assists and record two or three steals when all is said and done against the Timberwolves.
Kyle Soppe -- Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers
When a team is trying to lose, you pay attention. When a team is winning while trying to lose, you target the players responsible and don't think twice about it. Nance has been a significant value in the five Laker wins over the last month (11.4 points on 52.5 percent shooting and 10.2 rebounds in 31.6 minutes of action). With both the Pelicans and Lakers ranking inside the Top 10 in pace of play and the road team grading out as the second worst rebounding team in The Association, Nance's high minute count and ability to play freely are impossible for me to not roster on this small slate.
Players to fade
Renee Miller -- Brian Roberts, Charlotte Hornets
Likely starting again for Kemba Walker, Roberts need not start for you. The matchup is a good one, but spend your roster spot and salary dollars on Nicolas Batum, not Roberts. He's not going to be a high usage guy, and the team scored only 79 points with him at the helm last night. Briante Weber wasn't any better, and overall this is one value situation to avoid Tuesday night. Look to more fruitful options in one of the many better Western Conference games tonight (like New Orleans-Los Angeles).
Joe Kaiser -- Marvin Williams, Charlotte Hornets
Yes, Williams is facing his former team, the Hawks, but at this point in his career -- several years removed from his days in the ATL -- this is a narrative that no longer applies. Williams needs to reach right around 30 DFS points to get to his salary value in this one, and that's a mark he's reached only once in his last five games. Pass on him tonight.
Kyle Soppe -- Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
This is a tough slate, but I don't have a spot for the Hawks forward tonight. He has missed nine of 12 games over the last three weeks (knee), and while he is expected to suit up tonight, is there any reason to think he sees his full complement of minutes? Yes, Atlanta could fall to the 6-seed if everything breaks the wrong way (I don't see Milwaukee beating Boston tomorrow and that loss would lock Atlanta into the 5-seed), but is there a massive different between facing the Raptors or Wizards in the first round? The projected point total in this game opened as 10 points lower than any of the other four on tonight's slate, so even if Millsap plays his 34 minutes, are we sure he returns great value? Much of Horford's recent scoring success coming at the free throw line (40.3 percent of his April points) but the Hornets allow opponents to shoot 4.2 percent fewer free throws per game than any other team in the league. No thanks, I'll pass.
