Which players should you build around and which players should you fade for the Wednesday-Thursday NBA DFS contests? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Kyle Soppe and Joe Kaiser, and DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Joe Kaiser -- Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
I'm sticking with Thomas for the Wednesday-Thursday slate, as he and the Celtics are looking to get the series back in their favor after dropping consecutive games on the road. Remember, Thomas put up 33 points in front of the home crowd in Game 1 and then put the team on his back with an incredible 53-point performance in Game 2. Expect him to carry the Celtics in Game 5.
Kyle Soppe -- John Wall, Washington Wizards
Nothing happened last night to make me change my stance here, so I'm building around Wall for this slate for the same reasons I was doing so for the Tuesday-Wednesday games. During Washington's five road contests this postseason, Wall has averaged 30.6 points, 10.8 assists and 3.6 steals-plus-blocks per game. That'll work! The Wizards have tasked Wall with creating both for himself and for others when on the road, and while we can debate if that'll get them a win (they are 1-4 away from home this postseason), there is no denying that his fantasy floor/ceiling is impressive. I'm not sure there is a player on Boston who can consistently slow Wall, so with Kawhi Leonard's health in question and Thomas complaining, Wall is the expensive player I am comfortable investing in.
Renee Miller -- Otto Porter Jr., Washington Wizards
I've been a fan of Porter throughout this series, knowing that he performed well against the Celtics during the regular season and that defending the SF position was a weak point for Boston. He hasn't disappointed, averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals in four games so far. Not only is he a good bet to continue his strong play as the Wizards return to Boston tonight, but I'm worried about Leonard's ankle, which takes the obvious top play at this position into questionable territory. Although Leonard claims he will play, we won't have a good update on how healthy he'll be before tipoff tonight, since the Spurs don't play until Thursday. Typically I'm a fan of maximizing upside in these short slates, and I think you'll have the top guards in your lineups to do just that. Porter is the affordable centerpiece you can build around with confidence.
Players to fade
Joe Kaiser -- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Beal shot just 4-of-15 in his last game in Boston -- a 10-point loss in Game 2 -- and for the series, he is shooting 53.6 percent (15-of-28) at home and 38.2 percent (13-of-34) on the road. With this one being in Boston and the Celtics needing a win to protect their home court, there's too much risk here for me to pay up for Beal and hope that he goes for a high-scoring game.
Kyle Soppe -- Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs
There continues to be a premium on Gasol due to his recognizable name, and unless they changed the rules since I last checked, you don't get DFS points for a nice resume. Gasol hasn't double-doubled in more than a month, is shooting a woeful 39.2 percent from the field this postseason and simply isn't a major part of the game plan in this series with the run-and-gun Rockets. (Jonathan Simmons is averaging four more shots despite playing two fewer minutes per game this series) I'd much prefer Ryan Anderson (DraftKings) or Marcin Gortat (FanDuel) to Gasol on this slate, and I'm not sure it's as close as the salaries would suggest.
Renee Miller -- Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs
Mills has remained on the second unit following the season-ending injury to Tony Parker and has continued to basically do what he does. He's good for the Spurs, but quite often, he's not good for DFS. I don't see how we don't use Wall and Thomas in the PG slot(s), but even if you choose to save at the position or are thinking utility, I'd much rather use Patrick Beverley than Mills. The Rockets will be at home and eager to tie the series one more time. Beverley has higher upside with his multi-steal ability and has been more consistent in this series than Mills. People like to hop on the injury replacement player at a low price, but I don't think the value/ROI is going to be there for Mills this time.
