Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off tonight's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's André Snellings and Kyle Soppe, as well as DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
André Snellings -- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
The Dwight Howard-led interior defense of the Charlotte Hornets was strong for much of the year, but it has absolutely struggled of late, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers during the last 10 games and the second-most during the last five. Meanwhile, in his only other game against the Hornets this season...which happened to be just a few days ago... Embiid scored 23 points with 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 1 3-pointer.
Kyle Soppe -- Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
We are getting closer to the DFS industry acknowledging that Holiday is a fringe elite option at the point guard position, but we aren't quite there yet. Holiday's floor is a high one given that he is not only a top five player in terms of minutes per game, but is also coming off a month in which he averaged a season high 17.5 field goal attempts and 11.4 assists-plus-rebounds. I'll happily bank on those trends continuing against a Clippers team that ranks sixth in pace and is giving up over 117 points per game over their past seven games. This slate is loaded with point guards and the majority of the field figures to pick their favorite from the James Harden/Russell Westbrook matchup, thus making Holiday a contrarian play worth considering in tournaments.
Renee Miller -- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
While the spotlight will be on the Oklahoma City vs. Houston game and its star guards tonight, I'll be $2K richer with Curry in my lineups. Curry is off the injury report and ready to go tonight. The first time he played the Nets, in Brooklyn, he put up 69 fantasy points. Consider also that he fouled out after just 32 minutes and shot a below-average 40 percent from 3 point range in that game. With Brooklyn being the most generous PG matchup in the league, there is still a ton of upside for Curry at home tonight.
Players to fade
André Snellings -- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic has been one of the most dominant fantasy producers over the last month-plus of action, a nightly walking triple-double for much of that stretch. However, over the last few games his numbers have been down as the Nuggets have worked to re-acclimate Paul Millsap into the equation. He should eventually recover and re-establish his dominance, but on Tuesday Jokic faces a solid Dallas Mavericks interior defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers over their last five games. At Jokic's price point, there are likely safer plays on this slate.
Kyle Soppe -- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
There are spots to pay up big for Curry, but tonight doesn't look like one of those instances. The Warriors are 14-point favorites and Curry, while officially off the injury report, did tweak his ankle Friday night in Atlanta. As such, there is more downside here than I am willing to swallow on such a loaded slate. At this price point, you need Curry to reach his season averages across the board and I'm simply not willing to project that level of production in a game with serious blowout risk and a player who's less than 100 percent healthy. You already know I like Jrue Holiday tonight and if you are trying to pay down at the PG position, give me a player like Dennis Smith Jr. to provide more per dollar production than Chef Curry tonight.
Renee Miller -- Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
Whiteside had a huge game against Phoenix last night, but faces a much tougher situation tonight. The Wizards allow the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers and Whiteside was freakishly efficient with just 25 minutes last night. This game carries the lowest point total of the night, and while Whiteside's price is very fair, I want to spend on the Pelicans-Clippers, Nets-Warriors, Rockets-Thunder games a whole lot more than I want to target a tired Heat team facing a good defensive frontcourt.
