Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Tuesday 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
Joe Kaiser -- Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
There is nothing that Thomas can't do right now, and as well as John Wall has played in the playoffs, Thomas brings similar upside at a much cheaper salary on Tuesday. Thomas put up 33 points and nine assists on the Wizards in the series opener, dedicating his play to his sister, and even with all he's gone through lately, he is showing that he can still put the team on his back in the playoffs. He took 23 shots in a fast-paced Game 1, and that bodes well for more 30-plus games out of the star point guard.
Renee Miller -- Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
Hayward has been playing fantastic basketball lately, posting his top two career scoring games in the last month, while leading his team to this second-round matchup with Golden State. He's a building block for me tonight thanks to his steady production, high minutes/usage and reasonable salary. You can still pay up for point guard while also taking advantage of the several potential value plays on tonight's slate (e.g., Jason Smith).
Kyle Soppe -- John Wall, Washington Wizards
Weird that we have a playoff slate night where the Warriors aren't playing in the game with the highest projected point total, but here we are. Wall has produced a double-double following the Wizards' last five losses in which he played, and with 20 points and 16 dimes in Game 1, a double-double seems like a foregone conclusion in this game. Was Wall settling a bit on Sunday (five 3-pointers and only two free throws)? He was, and that's not good ... for that game. He had a game like that last series against the Hawks (Game 5: three 3-point attempts and one free throw) and responded with a 42-spot two nights later, thanks in large part to 10 free throw attempts. The aggression is coming, and I stand by my pick of Wizards in six due to the trouble Wall will give them. Book it!
Players to fade
Joe Kaiser -- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Thompson and the Warriors haven't played since last Monday, and the matchup against Utah, the slowest-paced team in the NBA this season, will create fewer opportunities to score and accumulate stats. Also, the Jazz play really good defense, ranking third in defensive efficiency during the regular season. Thompson averaged only 13.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG against the Jazz in two regular-season meetings, and if you ask me, someone like Washington's Bradley Beal is a better shooting guard option in Round 2 of the playoffs.
Renee Miller -- Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Gobert has a significantly different price on the two sites, so this fade is primarily geared toward FanDuel users (DraftKings people: fade Kevin Durant). With Gobert coming off a weird Game 7 in which a combination of foul trouble and perhaps a sore ankle limited him to a mere 13 minutes, my willingness to pay top dollar for him is at an all-time low. The matchup isn't a terrible one for a talent like Gobert (who posted solid numbers against them in the regular season), but the Warriors were in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points allowed to centers to finish the season. Given that I want one star point guard and Hayward -- when he is over $9K coming off two left lower-leg injuries and a hefty underdog -- I have to pass on Gobert tonight.
Kyle Soppe -- Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
The Jazz. Slow it down. Grind it out. Buckle down. Right? That's not wrong, but don't overlook the fact that the Warriors had a more efficient defense this season. Hayward was the only member of the Jazz to rank as a top-60 player in terms of usage, so you can bet on the Dubs focusing their defensive attention on him. Durant, Andre Iguodala, and Draymond Green all graded out as top-16 defenders at their position this season, and the freshest one of them figures to be on Hayward at all times. I love Gordon as a player and think he will be worth every penny he earns this offseason ... but I'm not trusting him with my DFS dollar in this series until he proves worthy.
