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 Jim McCormick, André Snellings and Kyle Soppe, as well as DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Jim McCormick -- Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
When the Lakers hosted the Detroit Pistons on Halloween night, Randle was a fringe rotation piece. The Kentucky product played just 17 minutes, but was able to amass 17 points and seven boards in a blowout victory. Randle averaged 19.7 MPG and 7.5 shots during the first 14 games of the season, but things are much different now. Since the All-Star break, he has surged with 21.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG and 3.4 APG -- which is basically Blake Griffin territory. The Pistons have ceded nearly 48 fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards during the past 10 games, which suggests there is a viable path for Randle to exceed value in Motown tonight.
Renee Miller -- Will Barton, Denver Nuggets
This is a weird five-game slate, with significant mismatches in pace and defense, yet pretty high point totals throughout. The three top games are this one in Philadelphia, Boston in Phoenix, and Los Angeles in Detroit. Strangely, the only true stars are big men tonight. The salaries of PG, SG and SF appear a little inflated, but the second-tier talent with upside at those positions will form the core of any lineup tonight. I'm starting with Barton not just because of the 76ers faster pace and generous fantasy defense to opposing guards, but because without Gary Harris on the court, Barton is taking and making a ton of shots. Consider that he's made half of his 20 3PA in the last three games, averaging 20 points per game to go along with multiple steals and blocks every night, not to mention the steady rebounding and assist numbers he's known for. As long as he's playing 30-plus minutes, he's going to reach value in a good matchup like this one.
André Snellings -- Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
The Pistons and the Lakers are out of the playoff hunt, but neither have a first round pick nor any impetus to fade down the stretch. Thus, they are both still consistently putting their best efforts out there, important at this time of year. Drummond is coming off yet another 20 rebound performance, his third in his last five games, and one in which he also scored 15 points with 4 assists, 4 blocks and 4 steals. The Lakers struggle with interior defense, having allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season, so Drummond should be in store for another big night on Monday.
Kyle Soppe -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Rostering players on a motivated team playing against the Grizzles has been a profitable proposition this season and I don't see that changing tonight. Not only are the Timberwolves just 1.5 games out of the 4-seed in the West, but they're also 1.5 games away from missing the playoffs all together. KAT is averaging a cool 23.6 points on 56.2 percent shooting to go along with 12.3 rebounds per game since the beginning of February and that'll work against a Memphis team that has won exactly one, count'em one, game over that stretch. Yikes. You can essentially lock in Towns for a double double and there is dominant upside in this spot as well, a combination that not only makes him my top big man on this five game slate, but also my top overall player.
Players to fade
Jim McCormick -- Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns
I'm glad to admit that I was wrong about Jackson's ability to produce high-end fantasy results this season. As a caveat, a solid portion of his fantasy success is due to a major uptick in usage and shots, rather than efficiency. Which is to say, I'm a bit concerned about his fantasy floor if T.J. Warren and/or Devin Booker return to the lineup. The greater issue for this matchup with Boston could be how Jackson has struggled when facing teams with deft perimeter defenders; he posted games of 12.5 and 13.75 fantasy points (on DraftKings), respectively, when facing the Thunder and Heat recently. I'd rather roster Kyle Kuzma, Andrew Wiggins or even Wilson Chandler among wings with similar or cheaper price points.
Renee Miller -- Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies
I was going to just put "Fade FanDuel" here today, because I find it exceedingly hard to roster two small forwards and shooting guards, while having access to only one center per lineup given the multitude of good centers on this slate. But better to point out a tempting value play that I've turned to a bunch in the last month or so. Brooks has carved out a role in a confusing and frustrating Grizzlies rotation and has been a somewhat reliable source of around 20 fantasy points lately. While I'm not super excited about Jayson Tatum, Reggie Bullock or Michael Beasley, I'd rather use any of those three than Brooks tonight. Even without Jimmy Butler, the Timberwolves remain ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to small forwards, and the Grizzlies carry the lowest implied team total of the night. Tonight just isn't a good spot to save a few hundred dollars on Brooks.
André Snellings -- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol is still priced in DFS based on his name recognition, but he pretty clearly seems to have taken his foot off the gas in the last week. He has missed two of his last four games, the most recent one for stated 'rest' purposes, and in the two games he played in he averaged only 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.5 blocks. While he still has impact talent and ability, it certainly appears that he's packed it in for the season.
Kyle Soppe -- Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
Ball is going to be a strong fantasy option in years to come, but right now he is a player lacking confidence and facing a Pistons team that has looked much better lately (five straight opponents have failed to score more than 100 points). How bad have things been recently for Ball when it comes to scoring? He's shooting an ugly 23.8 percent from the field (15.2 percent from 3) over his past seven games, thus meaning you need him to flirt with a triple double just to reach value. Looking for a fun fact? Ball's average shot distance is greater than that of James Harden or Damian Lillard this season...but he can't shoot! His versatility would be nice if it was complimented by a reasonable scoring floor, but that's not the case here. You should look to fill your backcourt with more reliable options tonight.
