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
Kyle Soppe -- Rajon Rondo, Chicago Bulls
This is going to sound weird for Rondo, but I just don't see much downside here. In his five April games, he is averaging 15.7 shots per 36 minutes, a rate of offensive involvement that I will gladly take for a player who has produced at least five assists and five rebounds in seven consecutive games. No, he's not a great shooter, but with an increased volume of attempts, 12-15 points seems reasonable, and that's enough at this price point. More importantly, this matchup is perfect. Avery Bradley is the Celtics' defensive ace, but he isn't going to separate much from Jimmy Butler. Isaiah Thomas (dead last in defensive RPM this season) figures to guard Rondo on a regular basis, and Boston desperately needs his scoring, so they can't take him off the court. Rondo is never a sexy own, but he allows you to spend freely elsewhere.
Joe Kaiser -- Robin Lopez, Chicago Bulls
Lopez gave the undersized Celtics fits in Game 1, using his massive frame to battle his way to 14 points and 11 rebounds, and I don't see the Celtics being able to solve this problem overnight. Al Horford isn't nearly the rebounder he was earlier in his career, and Lopez is an affordably priced option who allows you to pay up at other positions. Dating back to the regular season, Lopez has scored at least 20 DFS points in six consecutive games, and that's about where his floor is tonight.
Renee Miller -- Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls
It's a bit dangerous to rely on the one-game playoff sample to lock in Portis, but as I wrote in my Eastern Conference preview, I believe he's the power forward to own from Chicago. He played 29 minutes and was hyper-efficient from the field, in addition to making three of four 3-pointers in Game 1. Boston is somewhat limited in terms of great defenders, and I expect them to continue to prioritize guys like Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rondo ahead of Portis. That, in combination with the Celtics' poor rebounding and positive PF DvP, means Portis is still a good play in Game 2. At $5K or less, he's a player you can lock in with confidence, then choose the stars you want to put with him.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- Joe Johnson, Utah Jazz
Yeah, yeah, yeah ... "Iso Joe" was the hero on Saturday night, and I'm happy for him, but you are no longer getting DFS points for that strong effort, and I think he leaves you wanting more tonight in Game 2. The 35-year-old played a pressure-packed 31 minutes over the weekend and contributed across the board (21 points on 64.3 percent shooting, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block and 3 steals), but if the regular season taught us anything, counting on a second consecutive game like that is unwise. Over the last four months, Johnson has now played at least 30 minutes eight times. The game immediately following the previous seven instances, he averaged a mere 23 minutes, 6.3 points (on 31 percent shooting), 2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 steals. That's not going to get it done tonight, and if the Jazz want to save Johnson for what seems destined to be a long series, I don't think they extend him the same way tonight as they did on Saturday.
Joe Kaiser -- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Lowry shrunk in the playoffs last season, and after a lopsided loss in Game 1, he and the Raptors have the pressure on them again to figure things out in a hurry. Yes, it was only one game, but Lowry's 4-point, 2-rebound, 6-assist performance on Saturday left a lot to be desired, and if I'm paying up for a point guard, it isn't going to be Lowry.
Renee Miller -- Jeff Withey, Utah Jazz
This is just a warning, in case you are bargain hunting on this three-game slate with its share of interesting stars to roster. Withey, Utah's backup center, would appear to be in line for more playing time with Rudy Gobert already ruled out of tonight's Game 2. He's below minimum price on DraftKings, but in truth I'm not using him even if they reimbursed me a few salary dollars. He's played in a lot of games without Gobert, in which his minutes have risen to about 10 MPG, and his fantasy points rise from an average of seven with Gobert on the court to just over ten when he's out. This is not a high upside player, so if you're looking to capitalize on Gobert's hyperextended knee tonight, look first to Johnson, then Derrick Favors or even Joe Ingles before Withey.
