There are just five NBA games on tap for Thursday evening, which certainly cuts down a bit on the variety of potential starting DFS lineups. Which players should you build around, and which players should you fade? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Kyle Soppe and Renee Miller, plus DFS expert Al Zeidenfeld.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets
There is no shortage of star players in action tonight and I'm not going to try to sway you on which one (or two) to roster. Instead, I'm handing out a strong value play that allows you to plug in whatever high-end option you'd like. The Nuggets may not be a good team, but they own the second-highest implied total on the board tonight and Chandler figures to lead their attack, thanks to his 12th-highest usage rate among SF this season.
Chandler is averaging career-highs in field goal attempts and rebounds this season, raising the floor from years past. The Blazers rarely bring it on the defensive end, and given that they are in the middle of a nine-game, 15-day stretch that sees them play eight times on the road, I can't imagine tonight being the night that they decide to buy in on the defensive end.
Renee Miller -- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
More often than not, you'll find me putting the PF facing Portland in this space. No team gives up more fantasy points to opposing bigs than the Trail Blazers. Further, while Portland ranks 25th in rebounding rate, the Nuggets are No. 1, and the efficient play of Jokic is a big reason. I'd love to see Jokic play more than 24-28 minutes per night, but even those limited minutes have allowed him to rack up five double-doubles in the past six games he's played. As good as he's been, tonight could be a truly masterful showing from Jokic, who is an especially good value on FanDuel.
Al Zeidenfeld -- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
It's a small slate, but there are a lot of quality options to choose from tonight. The player I can't keep out of my lineup is Lillard because of the matchup and pace against the Nuggets. This game should be the most competitive and high-scoring affair of the night, and in those situations you want as much exposure to the primary ball handlers as possible in order to maximize as much of the fourth quarter usage as you can. I wouldn't be surprised to see people roster four players from this game on their primary lineups. To me, tonight starts with Lillard, and then you can build outward.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Fresh off of his first triple-double of the season, Green is priced in the same tier as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. No thanks, I'll pass. Green's usage rate ranks 37th this season -- among power forwards. His well-rounded skill set is nice, but with a low shot total and a low free throw count, you essentially need elite production from Green in all other categories for him to reach value. Could that happen? Sure, but that's a significant risk to take given both his price and a likely matchup with Kristaps Porzingis. Green's ceiling isn't high enough for me in this spot, and the blowout potential of this game is another concern that is very real tonight.
Renee Miller -- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
There are a lot of game-time decisions and questionable designations on tonight's slate. I think Antetokounmpo plays tonight, but I'm personally more inclined to spend up on Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, or Damian Lillard tonight. Those guys are playing in faster paced games with higher projected point totals, and with equal or better defensive matchups. Plus, there aren't any injury concerns with that trio. When I'm paying one of the top salaries, as Antetokounmpo commands, I don't want any question marks.
Al Zeidenfeld -- Paul George, Indiana Pacers
George just doesn't do enough on a consistent basis to justify the price he carries on DraftKings, yet he's surrounded by players just a few hundred dollars above and below his price that do. Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard are all higher than George in my projections for tonight, each of them sitting within $1,000 in salary (in both directions). George is capable of a big game, but the probability of him having one is less likely and less predictable than those around him. I'll wait for a price drop before investing again.
Al Zeidenfeld is a promoter and user at DraftKings (Username: Al_Smizzle) and plays on his personal account in games he offers advice on. These views/strategies are his own and do not reflect the views of DraftKings. He may also deploy different players/strategies than what he advises.