Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Friday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's André Snellings, Kyle Soppe and DFS expert Renee Miller.
Players to build around
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The Chicago Bulls' rookie has been crushing box scores, but is he a better fantasy investment than veterans Love and Gasol?
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With the Charlotte Hornets seemingly closer to the cellar than the playoffs, André Snellings notes that a trade of their top-tier talent could be a fantasy boon for some currently underwhelming options on their roster.
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Kyle Soppe -- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Injuries are the worst, that's not debatable. That said, they can also be an opportunity. As the wise Mr. Newton once said, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." (That's Isaac, not Cam.) John Wall (knee) is out tonight, and for the next 6-8 weeks. His missing minutes will lead to Beal getting extra minutes - and those will come tonight without having to face with the smothering defense of Andre Roberson (ruptured patellar tendon).
Beal's usage spiked in early December when Wall was sidelined and I'll happily pay up for that volume against a defense that, over the last two weeks, has held only the Brooklyn Nets under 105 points. Beal lit up these Thunder less than a week ago and I think we see an "equal reaction" tonight.
André Snellings -- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
With DeMarcus Cousins done for the year, the other Pelicans have to step up to keep the team in the playoff race. Davis is the main superstar, and the likelihood for him to explode on any given night is even higher now than it was before the Cousins injury. Meanwhile, he has a great matchup on Tuesday with the Kings, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.
Renee Miller -- Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
I was debating between Drummond and the bargain Pistons play, Anthony Tolliver, but ultimately decided that Drummond is the better choice to build around tonight. He's almost a lock for a double-double on a regular night, and leads the league with 15-plus rebounds per game.
Drummond will face off against Cleveland, one of the worst overall defensive teams in the league. The Cavaliers are favored by only five points, despite the Pistons being without three starters tonight in the wake of the big trade. While Drummond has struggled in the two previous matchups between these teams, he'll be the primary source of both offense and defense for depleted Detroit. I think he'll come through with a huge effort in all formats.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
I love the guy and he's a deserving All-Star starter this season, but I'll pass tonight. The spike in his fantasy value this season has been directly tied to his ability to stretch defenses with a much improved 3-point shot. That's been failing him of late.
Remember that 34-point win over the Cavaliers? That was 19 days ago, and DeRozan has gone just 4-of-25 from beyond the arc since, significantly reducing his production ceiling. I worry that if he isn't overly efficient, he'll be underwhelming tonight, as the Timberwolves are bottom-10 in pace and allow the third-fewest SF fantasy points per game.
André Snellings -- Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Gobert has been playing well recently, taking up his usual spot in the paint and doing his damage on the inside. The problem on Tuesday, however, is that the Warriors don't play a style that's conducive for the giant center to dominate from the middle. Sure, you can find examples of centers dominating the middle against Golden State, but there are many more cases where they've sped up the game and rendered traditional big men useless. There are enough great centers going on Tuesday to avoid taking a chance with Gobert's tough matchup.
Renee Miller -- Tomas Satoransky, Washington Wizards
There are many places to reach for value tonight, but one I will be ignoring is Washington's point guard. Both Satoransky, who will likely keep starting during John Wall's extended absence, and Tim Frazier are coming off solid performances in Atlanta. Tonight, however, they'll face a much more difficult assignment, as the Thunder have been a brutal matchup for opposing point guards, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points in the league.
The Thunder play at a slower pace than Washington, and rank sixth overall in defensive efficiency. The situation here is further confounded by Frazier, who has a great chance to be the more-valuable commodity off the bench. He'll also set you back an additional $1K on FanDuel. All in all, this is a situation to steer clear of on a surprisingly busy Tuesday slate.
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