Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Tuesday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Jim McCormick, Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell and Kyle Soppe, plus DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Al Horford, Boston Celtics
There is going to be a lot of exposure to the Raptors/Rockets game, and deservedly so, but if you want to differentiate yourself a bit from the pack, Horford is in a great spot. Kyrie Irving (face) is listed as questionable, and even if he returns to action, I'm expecting Horford's usage to be higher than normal, now that he is assumed to be healthy (33 minutes on Sunday after missing two games). The Nets are a bottom-10 team in terms of defensive efficiency, rebounding rate, and points in the paint ... deficiencies that align nicely with what Horford brings to the table. He is averaging more than three 3s per game for a third consecutive season and has proved proficient from distance (35.9 3FG% over that stretch), but it is his effectiveness in the interior (shooting 70 percent from inside of eight feet this season) that raises his floor. I'm not sure how many people spend up for players not in the Raptors/Rockets game, so Horford could prove to be a nice leverage play tonight.
Eric Karabell -- Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
Irving missed the most recent game with a face fracture and might have to wear a mask tonight, but any perceived negatives that it will affect his performance are pretty much negated by an enticing matchup with the defense-deficient Nets. Irving's DraftKings price is down a bit -- the lowest it has been in November. Take advantage of it. He's no James Harden, but it's likely one can roster both of them on this night.
Jim McCormick -- Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
The opportunity rates for Capela as the rim-running center and resident glass-cleaner in Houston have proved rewarding this season; he's ninth in the league with 18.4 rebounding chances per night (defined as being within 3.5 feet of an available rebound) and is fifth in the NBA in points per game as the roll man in the pick and roll. The Raptors are allowing opponents to connect on 60.8 percent of shots within five feet of the rim and don't have an interior athlete of Capela's caliber. Found at reasonable pricing and with a real shot at 40 fantasy points tonight, Capela is a sound building block and an affordable way to get into the slate's highest implied point climate.
Renee Miller -- Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets
In the two games Dinwiddie has played around 30 minutes, one of which D'Angelo Russell missed, he has averaged 40 fantasy points. The Nets almost have to give him those minutes tonight, so while Boston is a pretty significant pace downgrade and currently ranks as the No. 1 team in defensive efficiency, I almost have to roster him tonight. With only three games on the slate, and Harden the only superstar to consider, I'm looking for solid values with upside. Although Dinwiddie will probably be in 90 percent of lineups, he fits the model tonight.
Joe Kaiser -- James Harden, Houston Rockets
On a short slate with few sure things, Harden is the big star with a chance to go off against a Toronto defense that ranks 15th in defensive efficiency. The other reason I like Harden is that this game doesn't have the potential to become lopsided quite like the Spurs-Mavericks and Celtics-Nets games do. More than likely, Harden will be relied upon to play his usual 35-plus minutes in a hard-fought game against the Raptors. Harden also enters the night in a tremendous groove; he is averaging 36.8 PPG, 5 RPG, 12 APG, 2 SPG and 5.6 3PG in his past five games.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks
Barnes has scored at least 22 points in three straight games and in six of his past nine, so the general feel around him is on the rise, and his price is inching up as a result. No thanks. We all know that Barnes isn't the most versatile of offensive assets (he has failed to hand out multiple assists in six of his past nine games), so the fact that he is playing a Spurs team that ranks fifth in rebound rate and operates at the third-slowest pace has me thinking that there is more downside than upside in this spot. If you want a little cap relief, Trevor Ariza makes for a cheaper pivot and comes with a similar ceiling tonight.
Eric Karabell -- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Lowry is a solid player whose overall numbers are down from last season, but his past few games have been better. Should we buy in? Or did he average 18 points over his past three games because the Bulls and Pelicans were on the schedule? I'm not convinced Lowry is back to last year's form, and by the way, his DK price is $900 more than it was for the last game. It's a trap! Run, run away!
Jim McCormick -- LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
It's tough to fade Aldridge against one of the weakest rebounding teams in the league, but I'm not a huge fan of the slow pace ingredients and the potential for a Spurs blowout. I also think the matchup is somewhat of an obvious draw tonight and could see Aldridge sport a high ownership rate, so I think you can do well in focusing on Capela at decreased pricing and ownership tonight.
Renee Miller -- Cheap centers
On just a three-game slate, there aren't too many players I dislike, but there is absolutely no reason to save at center tonight. Al Horford, Clint Capela and Pau Gasol are all good high-floor, high-ceiling options tonight, so taking a chance with Jonas Valanciunas, Aron Baynes or Salah Mejri is not a value move, it's a waste of salary cap. Finding value at other positions allows you to work in Harden and whomever else you want with a quality center.
Joe Kaiser -- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets
Hollis-Jefferson has been playing through a hip injury the past two games, and though he's managed fine, he faces the toughest defense in the league tonight with the Celtics coming to town. This game also has a chance to turn into a blowout, considering how well the Celtics are playing and that Irving is back. For these reasons, I'm going with other options at power forward on Tuesday.
