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.
Players to build around
André Snellings -- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
On Monday the Chicago Bulls allowed the two opposing big men of the New Orleans Pelicans to combine for a cartoonish 78 points, 33 rebounds and 15 assists. The Bulls have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers on the season, and are especially vulnerable to centers with size and the all-around game to go over, around and through their defensive frontline. Embiid is one of those centers, and is competitive enough to try to make his own mark against the squad that just gave up history to DeMarcus Cousins on Monday.
Renee Miller -- Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
We have a great Wednesday night slate with tons of star power and value. I'm choosing to build around Walker tonight thanks to his unique combination of both those traits. He brings a high floor with upside to your lineup at a reasonable salary. He's especially attractive tonight as a small home favorite vs. the Pelicans, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing point guards. The fact that this should be a faster-paced and high-scoring game adds to Walker's upside, as does the fact that he is playing excellent, well-rounded ball right now.
Jim McCormick -- LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
With Kawhi Leonard out, Aldridge is the team's top offensive option. This role includes a significant uptick offensive opportunity rates; he's averaged 20.4 shots with a robust 29.1 percent usage rate over the past five games. Tonight's matchup with Memphis is also appealing, as Aldridge has averaged 42.5 fantasy points against the Grizzlies in two meetings, including one outing with a season-high 41 real points.
Kyle Soppe -- Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
Holiday's great season has flown a bit under the radar thanks to his big men often stealing the headlines, but savvy DFS players continue to roster him and I think that continues to be the case tonight. His career-high 49.3 percent shooting this season isn't fluky, as he is attacking the basket as much as ever and capitalizing on his open perimeter looks. He's not just scoring, though, and his versatility (at least four rebounds and four assists in seven straight games) is worth its weight in gold. While the Hornets are playing better basketball of late, they've coughed up at least 106 points in four straight games, so it should be no surprise that the Vegas point total for this game is among the highest on the slate with a near pick'em betting line. Both Holiday and Walker play over 34 minutes per night, and with Walker grading out as a below-average defender, there's a chance for a real back-and-forth matchup between these opponents.
Players to avoid
André Snellings -- Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Drummond is a great player, and he has reason to be extra motivated on Wednesday after being snubbed for the All-Star team. However, he is still facing a dominant Jazz defensive interior, led by Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, which hurts the odds of his having a huge game. With his near-max price tag, that makes him a risky play on a Wednesday night with a lot of star-level players that have much better matchups.
Renee Miller -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
There are so many good centers taking the court tonight. While I want exposure to Embiid, Cousins, Dwight Howard and others, Towns is one I'm willing to go without. First, he's averaging about seven fewer fantasy points on the road this season, and in two games against Portland he's averaged just 36 fantasy points, eight fewer than standard. Portland is a top team in defensive efficiency overall, and has been fairly effective in limiting opposing centers (sixth-fewest fantasy points on DraftKings). Towns is getting to the free throw line regularly, but I am concerned that he has just seven field goal attempts in each of his last two games. For the salary he demands, I'm out tonight.
Jim McCormick -- Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague, Minnesota Timberwolves
I find Teague's floor to be too low for how much he costs on what is a rich slate at the point guard position. After all, Teague has failed to meet cost in four of the past five. With Butler, I simply find his asking price on DraftKings too high compared to his production pattern; he's the eighth-most expensive player on the market tonight, but I have him 15th in projected fantasy points for the slate. I love Butler's overall game and how productive he's been over the past two months, but prefer cheaper shares of guys like Devin Booker and DeMar DeRozan tonight.
Kyle Soppe -- LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
The veteran Aldridge plays 11.7 percent fewer minutes per game when on the second night of a back-to-back, something that I think limits his upside against the slowest moving team in the NBA. Aldridge has been nothing short of special near the bucket this season, as his usage and shooting percentage inside of eight feet is above his career standard, but the Grizzlies are allowing a league-low 40.2 paint points this game this season and should be well-rested considering that they are in the middle of a two-week stretch where they play just one road game. If you're looking for a double-double threat tonight, I encourage you to pivot to the cheaper Clint Capela.
