Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Monday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Eric Karabell, Kyle Soppe and Joe Kaiser, plus DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Joe Kaiser -- DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
There is no stopping Cousins right now, and there are plenty of reasons to expect that to be the case tonight as the Pelicans hit the road to face the Pacers. For one, Indiana will be without Domantas Sabonis, one of their key bigs. Secondly, the Pacers rank in the top 10 in pace. Cousins has failed to reach 50 DFS points only twice this season, but I think he could have 70-plus in store in this up-tempo game against a Pacers team that ranks 21st in defensive efficiency.
Renee Miller -- Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
There are several solid, higher-priced shooting guards one could roster tonight, but with plenty of stars like Anthony Davis or Giannis Antetokounmpo to pay up for, I'm looking for the cheapest way to a potential 35-40 fantasy points from the position. Mitchell has been the offensive spark the Jazz need at the 2, often taking more than 20 shots from the field and shooting 3s at a 45 percent rate over the past 10 days. He'll enjoy the second-best DvP vs. shooting guards against Philadelphia and has multi-steal upside, what with the 76ers averaging more turnovers per game than any other team in the league.
Kyle Soppe -- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
You may have read that I prefer Jokic to Kristaps Porzingis this season, and I expect the #TeamJokic movement to get off to a good start tonight, as a rested Jokic (just 20 minutes played since Saturday) faces a Nets team that owns the seventh-least efficient defense and is coming off of a game in Phoenix last night. The versatility makes him a unique player, who is poised to smash value when he finds his scoring touch, something that I expect to be the case in this spot. Jokic is shooting better than 60 percent for his career inside of eight feet, a trend I will take to the bank against a defense allowing the seventh-most paint points per game. Las Vegas suggests that the Nuggets are going to score 122 points tonight, and if that is the case, I think Jokic can have at least 40 of those to go along with 10-plus boards and strong defensive stats. Lock him in.
Eric Karabell -- Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets
It sure looks like the kid is becoming a reliable fantasy option, as Mudiay has scored more than 20 points in DraftKings in eight of nine games and topped 30 points in two of three. Tuesday is a home game against the awful Nets, and Brooklyn's finest is playing on consecutive nights too. Mudiay, still a mere 21 years old, might never be a great shooter or even a reliable starter, but he's getting enough minutes to be worth far more than his price.
Players to fade
Joe Kaiser -- Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
The Clippers have fallen down to the middle of the defensive ranks, but Patrick Beverley remains one of the very best defensive point guards in the league. On a night with 10 games and plenty of other places to turn at point guard, I'm steering clear of Murray, who looks like San Antonio's future at the position but is only in his second NBA season and will be pestered by Beverley every minute he's on the court.
Renee Miller -- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
As good as Simmons has been, and will be, I can't justify paying up for him instead of Davis tonight, and I don't see getting both of them in, with other stars to consider. Simmons faces a slower, better defensive team on the road in Utah tonight and will be without Joel Embiid. Some may see that absence as a positive for Simmons, but having another playmaker on the floor benefits his assist ratio and gives him more room to operate. All things considered, Simmons could reach value, but there are other players who have an easier path to elite production tonight.
Kyle Soppe -- Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
I'm as impressed as anyone with what we've seen thus far from V.O., but don't let his hot start cloud your judgement -- the DFS sites have adjusted. His price point is nearly 18 percent higher on DraftKings than it was three weeks ago, and while I believe that shift is justified, it makes achieving value much more difficult. I'm not thrilled about him settling a bit more of late (7.0 3PA and 2.7 FTA in November, as opposed to 5.0 3PA and 7.0 FTA in October), and the Pelicans quietly rank as a top-10 defense. He has just one more assist than turnover over his past seven games, so I worry that if he struggles to get to his 23-25 points, he sinks your roster. I'm paying up for my frontcourt tonight and will seek value at both guard positions. Pass on Oladipo at this price tag.
Eric Karabell -- D'Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
He's scored more than 40 DK points in three consecutive games, but this is the second game of a back-to-back and in Denver. Not only isn't the air quite the same, but the home team likes to set the pace and can offer up guards with the size to make things difficult for Russell.
