Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Wednesday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's André Snellings and Kyle Soppe, and DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Andre Snellings -- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Davis' tendency to unexpectedly miss time in games makes him difficult to advocate here, but he's in the midst of a historic run right now. He's one of only seven players in NBA history to score at least 45 points with at least 15 rebounds in back-to-back games, and he's done it twice now. He has an excellent matchup on Wednesday as well, against an Atlanta Hawks defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to centers this season, and the third-most in the last five games, so they are still struggling.
Kyle Soppe -- Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks
As a consistently underappreciated fantasy asset, Schroder rolls into this plus matchup in very good form (26.3 points and eight assists per game over the last week). He is using an improved midrange game to dismantle defenses and I like the chances of that continuing that is allowing the most DraftKings points (and second most FanDuel points) to opposing point guards this season. Speaking of that leaky Pelicans' defense ... think fatigue may set in? They are playing their third road game in four days and the previous two went into overtime. With two days off before starting a stretch where five of their next six games are at home, this feels very much like a "getaway day" situation where the Pels are ripe for the picking: don't miss out!
Renee Miller -- Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks
Facing the Pelicans playing their third game in four days, on the road, Schroder is an attractive alternative or accompaniment to the top tier point guards tonight. Averaging around 40 fantasy points per game over his last 10 games, with an offensive breakout in progress, Schroder adds value in just about every category with multiple rebounds, assists and steals in most games. The Pelicans' fast pace and high end DvP for point guards make Schroder both a high floor and upside guy tonight. ​
Players to fade
Andre Snellings -- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This is one of the more difficult fades I've suggested, as Antetokounmpo is a legitimate monster threat every game. However, he is priced as such with near-max prices in all league formats, and he is facing a very tough Miami Heat defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing power forwards and the ninth-fewest to small forwards. Antetokounmo has already faced them once this yea, and had a sub-par game for him with "only" 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal with 2 turnovers.
Kyle Soppe -- Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks
I've long thought that Bledsoe has the potential to be Russell Westbrook-lite given his aggression and otherworldly athleticism, but his sometimes shaky jumper continues to limit my confidence in him from a consistency standpoint. For a fifth consecutive season, Bledsoe is on pace to set a new career high in average distance of field goal attempt, something that projects as a problem when possessions are limited (the Heat rank as the fourth slowest team in the NBA). The versatility has been underwhelming of late, as he has not recorded more than five rebounds or assists in eight straight games, making Bledsoe's floor more risky than his ceiling is enticing. He probably gives you more than the 10 points, four assists, and three rebounds that he produced against the Heat over the weekend, but that doesn't mean he is worth investing in at this price point.
Renee Miller -- Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
There's a lot going on tonight, and in order to optimize your lineups, you'll want to play to the faster-paced, higher-scoring games. Both New York and Memphis play at a relatively slow pace, which downgrades PG and PF the most. Porzingis is one of my favorite players, but in this case, I think there are too many other options at or below his price point to prioritize. Particularly where you get a bonus for double-doubles, Porzingis comes up short versus guys like Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and even Derrick Favors. You can probably match his floor and exceed his upside, making the $9,000-10,000 salary tough to swallow tonight.
