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
Renee Miller -- Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
Considering that Brook Lopez and Kyle Kuzma are playing so well alongside Randle, his recent production is all the more impressive. Randle has four 20-point double-doubles in his last five games, just missing with nine rebounds and 21 points at Indiana Monday night. He's averaging 16 fantasy points more than his season average over the last ten days. Both teams in this game rank in the top 3 in pace, and the matchup carries one of the higher Vegas totals on the board tonight. New Orleans gives up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards, and is playing their third game in three nights, and fifth in six days. For all these reasons, plus his personal hot streak, Randle is a must-play for me tonight.
André Snellings -- James Harden, Houston Rockets
Harden earns this slot by way of producing consistent monster efforts, and the fact that Chris Paul is questionable with a hamstring issue. Even if Paul plays, there'd be no reason for the Rockets to risk him going too hard, considering their spot as the top seed in the West is fairly solidified. Harden and the Rockets also have no love lost for Blake Griffin, who is now the face of their Thursday opponent, the Detroit Pistons. This factor could help them with motivation on what could otherwise be a blah night competition-wise. Ben Simmons is my other, bonus pick for the night as he's been dominant of late and is facing a weak Orlando Magic defense. Also, since the 76ers are on the second night of a back-to-back, it's possible that Simmons takes some usage away from Joel Embiid, even if Embiid is no longer completely sitting in these situations.
Kyle Soppe -- Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
March has been kind to Hield, as he is averaging more minutes, shots, points, rebounds, and assists than in any other month this season. A level of play, I believe, continues tonight against the Hawks. Atlanta is in the midst of a six game road trip and considering that losses help them more than wins at this point in the season, I'm thinking Hield could exploit this matchup for a very profitable performance. No one is going to argue that he is a super versatile player, but he is averaging 11.3 rebounds-plus-assists over his past four games, something that'll work against an Atlanta defense that ranks bottom 10 in rebound rate and dead last in assists per possession allowed this season. I'm not at all worried about Hield's involvement given the lack of other options on this team, so I encourage you to embrace the upside at a middling price on this uninspiring slate.
Players to fade
Renee Miller -- Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks
The truth is that I'm fading all the Mavs tonight, but I'll pick on Barnes here. He's still over $6K on DraftKings, despite wildly fluctuating production. Tonight's game features the lowest total of the night, with both teams playing extremely slow basketball. Dallas has the additional misfortune of facing Utah's No. 2 defense, which has limited Barnes to an average of just 14 fantasy points in 30 MPG in two previous meetings this year. Venture across the court to roster Joe Ingles, save more with Justin Jackson (especially if Bogdan Bogdanovich and Zach Randolph are out again), or rely on Jeremy Lamb, who has been playing well in Nicolas Batum's absence.
André Snellings -- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Davis was my fade pick yesterday, and I got burnt when he had a monster game. I tip the hat to him for that, but all of the reasons that made him a reasonable fade candidate yesterday are even more true today. Now, he's playing on his third consecutive night with his fifth game in the last six days. That is a LOT of games, all of which were high intensity as the Pelicans try to make the playoffs, in a very short span. Davis briefly left Tuesday's game hobbled, and even though he showed no signs of the injury on Wednesday, it should still be noted. And Davis is by-far the highest priced player on FanDuel and still slightly the highest priced on DraftKings as well. We know he can (and may) explode, but he's priced to HAVE to explode, which with his history of stamina/fragility issues and current ridiculous schedule, is a bit too much for me.
Kyle Soppe -- Chris Paul, Houston Rockets
I understand wanting to be contrarian, but you'd be wise to not roll the dice on CP3 tonight. The veteran point guard is working through a sore hamstring, and while he expressed optimism in being able to play tonight, two of the three potential outcomes are negative, thus making this a poor percentage play. What are the possible results from tonight, you ask? Either Paul is active in a close game, he's inactive, or he's active and the best team in the NBA blows out an opponent that has beaten exactly one team with 25-plus wins over the past 6.5 weeks. You tell me which is most likely to occur. Paul is obviously as good as anyone in the right spot, but there are simply too many negatives to build a roster around him tonight. If you want to pay up for a point guard, Ben Simmons is the play while Jrue Holiday is a slightly cheaper option if you want to save a few bucks.
