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 and Kyle Soppe, as well as DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Jim McCormick -- Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers' capable stretch forward is quietly producing one of just six seasons on record for a player 23 or younger to post at least 14 PPG, 6 RPG and 40 percent 3-point shooting (on at least three attempts). Inflate it to five attempts per game from beyond the arc and Saric is solo in NBA history among younger contributors. With Joel Embiid unfortunately out for the rest of the regular season, Saric sees a sizable boost in usage, touches and shots. The Hawks are also among the softer defensive matchups in the league, setting him up with a very real chance to exceed value tonight.
Renee Miller -- Isaiah Taylor, Atlanta Hawks
This may be the first Hawk I've listed as a building block this season! With Dennis Schroder sounding doubtful at best for tonight, it looks like Taylor is poised to start against the 76ers. This is a nice fast game with one of the best PG DvP matchups out there, and Taylor has already shown what he can do -- over 20 points in each of his last two starts, with three steals and 11 assists. In spot starts throughout the season, he's been a reliable contributor in the scoring and assist departments and that should continue in tonight's prime matchup. The Hawks aren't going to win many games, but Taylor is a guy that can help you win in DFS by providing ~6-7X value for under $5K.
Kyle Soppe -- Taurean Prince, Atlanta Hawks
The 24-year-old Prince has taken full advantage of the opportunity that has been created by Atlanta's tanking, and I expect that to continue tonight against a 76ers team that simply isn't the same without Joel Embiid (orbital fracture). Over Prince's past nine games, he is averaging 23.3 points and 9.7 assists-plus-rebounds, production that would result in him paying off his value, and there is room for even more. Philadelphia is allowing over 110 points per game when Embiid is inactive, and while no one is going to confuse the Hawks for an explosive offense, they have managed at least 107 points seven times this month. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if we see another strong offensive performance from Atlanta tonight.
Players to fade
Jim McCormick -- JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies
Of the frontcourt members of the Grizzlies, Green has been arguably the most consistent as a fantasy contributor, with at least 20 fantasy points in nine of the past 10 games. That said, we could see a low-end outing unfold against the league's stingiest defense now that Rudy Gobert is at full strength. Not that you were chasing shares of Green, but it is attractive to target these tanking teams, yet tonight is a window to fade him and his frontcourt peers.
Renee Miller -- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol is still simply overpriced for his normal expected production. The Grizzlies are as unmotivated as can be, and they are playing the Utah Jazz, one of the best defensive teams in the league, with Rudy Gobert making things particularly difficult on opposing centers. Mind you, I'm not high on Gobert either, because despite their issues, the slow pace and Gasol himself have been brutal for opposing centers (Gobert is averaging just 26 fantasy points against Memphis this season). Rather, I think you pay up somewhat at this position today. I like Nikola Vucevic in the next tier up, and Karl-Anthony Towns should also be worth his price tonight.
Kyle Soppe -- Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
The microwave scorer has been short-circuited this month (shooting just 41.1 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from distance), and I'm not tempted to call his number in a matchup against a red-hot Trail Blazers team (15-3 in its last 18 games) that owns a top-10 defense this season. The problem with Sweet Lou is that if he struggles to put the ball in the bucket, his value is limited. Very limited. In seven of his past 11 games, he has failed to record more than five assists or five rebounds, thus making this price tag a tough one to pay off if Portland focuses on slowing him as a scorer. I'd much rather take my chances with Eric Gordon at the SG position tonight against a Suns team that mailed it in months ago.
