Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Monday night's NBA playoff 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 -- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
With only two games on tonight's slate, it is not all that difficult to make room for James and his price tag. Heck, I currently have both he and Kawhi Leonard penciled in at and doubt I pivot off of it. James hasn't played since last Sunday, and I'm not in the business of betting against a rested GOAT. James put together arguably the best fantasy season of his storied career this season, and if the past is any indication, that's not going to slow down tonight. James has averaged 25.6 points, 7.9 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 4.1 steals-plus-blocks during the first two games of a series when holding homecourt advantage in this and last season's playoffs. Like most alpha dogs, James likes to mark his territory, and given that he averaged 27.7 PPG, 9.7 APG, and 8.3 RPG against the Raptors this season, I'll take my chances on him doing more of the same tonight.
Joe Kaiser -- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
All Leonard did against a Memphis team that had the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA this season is shoot 54.8 percent and put up 31.2 PPG in the six-game first-round series. Now he gets Houston, a team that plays at a faster tempo and relies more on offense than defense. There's a big opportunity here, and it's no surprise that Leonard averaged 28.5 PPG in four regular season meetings against the in-state foes. Pay up for the Spurs' star on Monday's two-game slate.
Renee Miller -- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
The biggest choice today is James Harden or LeBron James, and it's harder for me to argue against James. Well-rested and at home, healthy James is in full playoff mode. The ideal lineup would have both stars ... but that simply isn't optimal on a two-game slate with pricing being what it is. I think Harden is a sneakier player to build around in tournaments, especially on DraftKings, where he is significantly cheaper than James, because people will automatically want to fade any Spurs' opponent (or still be worried about his ankle). It's worth noting that San Antonio wasn't as stout in defending shooting guards as the other positions, and Harden averaged more than 60 fantasy points against them during the regular season. But James is the guy I expect to put up the best numbers tonight, and I really don't want to be without him in most contests tonight.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- James Harden, Houston Rockets
Harden was nothing short of elite this season in four games against these Spurs (29.8 PPG, 11.8 APG and 9.0 RPG), but only one of those games has come since Christmas, and if history has taught us anything it's that April showers bring San Antonio dominance. "Role players thrive at home" is a line that we have gotten accustomed to hearing, and if Harden isn't getting maximum levels of help, this is going to be a long night. I think the sheer usage of Harden makes him a top-three producing player tonight, but I've got room for only two stars, and he is a distant third for me in this matchup (in two road games in the first round, Harden turned the ball over 14 times and shot 21.1 percent from distance).
Joe Kaiser -- James Harden, Houston Rockets
Harden played well against the Spurs in the regular season, but for the second series in a row, he's going to be hounded by some top-level defenders, this time in the form of Leonard and Danny Green. In Game 1, that has me off of the Rockets star. One thing to watch out for, however, is the possibility that the Spurs let Harden get his while strategically shutting down the other four players on the team and using Leonard's smothering defense elsewhere. If that happens, it could help the Spurs' chances of a victory, but it would also mean a lot of stats for Harden.
Renee Miller -- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
I love Lowry and recognize his contributions in getting his team to this point in the playoffs. It's very possible that he produces a monster stat line tonight or another time during this series, I just find it next to impossible to play him alongside James or Harden on this two-game slate. In fact, if you're paying up for point guard (and I am not) I think you have to go with Kyrie Irving at home despite the less favorable DvP matchup. Lowry has been fine, contributing in every category, just not enough to exceed value for DFS. Tony Parker and Patrick Beverley have both produced stat lines that overlap significantly with Lowry's and can be had for thousands less. This fade is all about salary allocation/maximization.
