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 Andre Snellings and Kyle Soppe, as well as DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
Renee Miller -- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
My favorite way to spend tonight is on Simmons, whose team has a shot to overtake the Cavaliers for the three seed in the East. It's a great matchup with the fast-paced and loose-defense Nets at home for Simmons. Brooklyn ranks 24th in overall defensive efficiency, 24th in rebounding rate, and presents top-two DvP matchups for both point guards and power forwards. No matter how you classify Simmons, he has a dream matchup and has been playing exceptionally well with Joel Embiid and now Dario Saric out of the lineup. The motivation and matchup make Simmons rise above any other star for me tonight.
Andre Snellings -- Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been racked by injuries of late, which has allowed their understudies to step up. Josh Jackson has played well for weeks, and now Chriss has stepped back up with averages of 15.3 points (51.4 FG%, 77.8 FT%), 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists and 0.3 3-pointers during his last three games. His opportunity could be influenced if Alex Len (questionable, ankle) returns to the lineup, but Chriss is younger with more upside so the Suns should seemingly let him continue to eat in the garbage time of the NBA season.
Kyle Soppe -- Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers
Nurkic is averaging a double-double since Valentine's Day and with a matchup against the worst rebounding team in the league tonight, I see no reason why we should expect anything but more strong production. The points and rebounds seem safe to assume, so the near 3.0 blocks-plus-steals that he has been averaging over this stretch are simply a bonus at his very reasonable price. Nurkic should be viewed as a staple play in all formats and with Nikola Vucevic taking on the Enes Kanter-less Knicks tonight, I'd suggest loading up on two centers and locking in safe production while you target high upside guards to round out your lineup.
Players to fade
Renee Miller -- DeAndre Jordan, LA Clippers
There are so many better options than Jordan tonight. Whether you spend up on a guy named Nikola (either one) or save on someone like Jarrett Allen or Marquess Chriss (DK eligible), using Jordan in a meaningless game for the Clippers against one of the best overall defenses and one of the worst fantasy matchups for centers in particular just doesn't make sense tonight.
Andre Snellings -- Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Lakers
Lopez, if he plays, will be facing The Stifle Tower, Rudy Gobert, and a motivated Utah Jazz defense that needs to continue to win to secure a playoff spot. Lopez has been playing well despite dealing with lingering back stiffness, though that still has him questionable to play on Tuesday. Even if he does suit up, this might not be the most optimal day to start him.
Kyle Soppe -- Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets aren't going anywhere and it would appear that their star point guard has already checked out. Either that or the aliens from Space Jam are holding his basketball skills hostage, as Walker has given fantasy managers next to nothing in two straight games (17 points on 31.3 percent shooting with two more turnovers than assists). Whatever the reasoning may be, the point remains that it is awfully difficult to feel good about rostering a big name point guard at this price. Nobody is going to confuse the Bulls as a stellar defensive squad, but they've buckled down in two straight and have the next two days off, so they aren't the type of team I am targeting for Walker to get right against.
