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 Kyle Soppe, André Snellings and Jim McCormick, as well as DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe - Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
With Hassan Whiteside out again tonight and Brook Lopez playing more for Los Angeles than he has all season, this is a great spot for the ferocious Adebayo. During the three games Whiteside has already missed nursing his hip, Adebayo is averaging 22.6 rebounds per 48 minutes. Plus, he double-doubled against these Lakers with an active Whiteside on March 1st.
As for targeting Lopez, it's been a strategy for me since he entered the league -- and I've rarely regretted it. The seven-footer is averaging only 4.3 rebounds in 29.4 minutes this month. Sure, he is capable of blocking shots, but I think the interior aggression of Adebayo pays off in a double-double tonight, production that will return value at this price point.
Renee Miller -- Corey Brewer, Oklahoma City Thunder
Brewer is currently playing right around 30 MPG and it looks like the Thunder have found the solution to Andre Roberson's season-ending injury. He may not offer the same kind of defense that Roberson did, but he's a much more fantasy-friendly player on the wing. With seven steals and four blocks (in addition to very reasonable points and rebounds), his well-rounded stat lines have more than paid off his sub-$5K salary.
Paul George is questionable tonight, which could drive Brewer's roster percentage even higher than usual, but his value is absolutely not dependent on George being out. Brewer is a solid but cheap player you can build around, and he fills a position that has a lot of question marks heading into Friday's six-game slate.
André Snellings -- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder-Clippers game is the only one on Friday between two teams battling for the playoffs, so both teams should show up ready to play. In their previous two games against each other this year, the teams totaled 475 points in a pair of high-scoring matchups. Paul George is questionable with a groin issue, and Steven Adams is questionable with a hip ailment. Not only that, but the Clippers are on the second half of a back-to-back while the Thunder are coming off two days of rest. Put it all together, and it's a recipe for Westbrook to need to produce huge numbers, while also having the energy to do so.
Jim McCormick -- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
In the four games Embiid has played on zero rest this season, he's averaged a higher rebounding rate (12.8 RPG) with more shots (20.3) per game than in any other scenario. Embiid is third behind only James Harden and Russell Westbrook in usage rate on the season, while Brooklyn ranks last in the league in rebounding percentage and No. 28 in defensive rating during the past 10 games. Don't let the back-to-back angle get in the way of a great matchup. Incidentally, it's also Embiid's birthday.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe - DeAndre Jordan, LA Clippers
Jordan is averaging a tick under 19 rebounds this month and he has been a productive fantasy asset. However, I'm simply not interested in a rebounding specialist against the second-best rebounding team in the league - especially not one that operates at a below-average pace and defends at a top-10 level.
Not only is the matchup a tough one, but you also have to be worried about the aggression of the Russell Westbrook and company. Westbrook's average shot distance is down more than 12 percent from last season and Steven Adams is averaging career-highs in both FGA and FTA per game. I think the Thunder will take the ball right at Jordan, potentially getting him in too much foul trouble for him to provide value at this price.
Renee Miller -- Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks
Smith's games follow a consistent pattern. He plays well against fast-paced, weak defenses like New Orleans, Chicago and Los Angeles. However, he struggles against good defensive teams like Utah and tonight's opponent, Toronto. Although the Raptors play faster than the Mavericks, they rank in the top five in defensive efficiency. This should be the lowest scoring game of the night and, to make matters worse for Smith, the Raptors are huge favorites. In a blowout loss, Yogi Ferrell could take on a bigger role. All in all, this is not a good spot for Smith, and from a risk/reward perspective his salary is just too high for my lineups.
André Snellings -- Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are on the road on Friday against the buzz-saw Toronto Raptors, who are playing some of the best ball in the NBA right now. The Raptors have allowed the fourth-fewest PG points in the NBA this season. The last time these teams played, Smith was held to eight points on 3-14 shooting from the field. Expect similar results.
Jim McCormick -- Tyler Johnson, Miami Heat
With just 12 teams in action tonight, it could be tempting to look to Johnson as a high-floor option in the $5,000 range on both markets. Even though they're a bit depleted, Boston's switching defense could present problems for a player who relies on perimeter scoring as much as Johnson. Given the poor matchup and low ceiling, I'm fading him tonight. In this same range, I'd much rather have shares of Austin Rivers or even Caris LeVert.
