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.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
The Cavaliers' struggles on the defensive end are no secret (fourth-least-efficient defense in the NBA), so the fact that Middleton ranks sixth in minutes per game gives him a nice ceiling in this spot. And you know what? Those aren't empty minutes, as he ranks sixth among small forwards in usage rate. I've been impressed by his recent playmaking ability (5.3 assists per game over his last seven games) and a career-high 4.0 free throw attempts per night helps elevate his floor. I think Middleton is a good bet to score 20 points and rack up at least eight rebounds-plus-assists for the fifth time in his past seven games, something I will happily take at this price.
Renee Miller -- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
There are only three games tonight, so you'll want to build carefully. There are seven stars to potentially spend on, with great value to be had at shooting guard and center. Though he's the most expensive player on the slate, the Greek Freak is set to take advantage of Cleveland's 27th-ranked overall defensive efficiency and second-best fantasy mark to SFs, making him my favorite of the high-end options. In two games against Cleveland, he's averaging 37 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2 blocks per game. Giannis leads the league in player efficiency rating and ranks seventh in usage rate. On a short slate, you don't want to be without his 60-plus fantasy points.
Joe Kaiser -- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Simmons is a walking triple-double threat who blocked four shots last game and ripped four steals the game before that. Facing a Kings defense that ranks as the worst in the league, allowing 109.2 points per 100 possessions, Simmons and the rest of the 76ers are optimal plays, especially on a short slate like this one.
Players to avoid
Kyle Soppe -- Zach Randolph, Sacramento Kings
A true fade is difficult to find with just six teams in action, but I'm not going to have much (if any) exposure to Z-Bo against the best rebounding team in the NBA. Joel Embiid is expected to be active for this game after resting on Monday and I expect him to slow what has been a resurgent month for Randolph (21.6 points and 10 rebounds per game). Randolph is converting at an unsustainable rate close to the rim (65.8 percent), something that has overshadowed the fact that his average distance of field goal attempt is nearly 14 percent ahead of his career high. I'm not trusting Z-Bo the jump-shooter and I think he has an awfully tough time bullying his way to DFS value against a team that ranks top 10 in preventing paint points.
Renee Miller -- DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
With Anthony Davis healthy and the backcourt playing well, Cousins has struggled to reach value in each of his last four games. At his salary, I'm not happy with three or four times value and he needs about 55 fantasy points minimum to reach the target threshold. Washington is a top-10 defensive team overall, slower in pace than the Pelicans, and Cousins averages about five fewer fantasy points on the road. He's a star, and will certainly have his moments in the DFS limelight again this season, but tonight I'd prefer to pay for Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Embiid, Simmons and maybe even John Wall.
Joe Kaiser -- Rajon Rondo, New Orleans Pelicans
Rondo is priced pretty high for someone who has significantly underperformed the past two games, and a matchup against Wall isn't one that bodes well for a breakout. If you're using the Pelicans point guard on Tuesday make sure it's in tournaments and not cash games, because while there is upside here there is also significant risk.
