Top building blocks and fades for Monday's NBA DFS action

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Players to build around

Renee Miller -- Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans

Among four top stars playing tonight, all with incredible motivation -- LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic -- I find it impossible to nail down one to build around absolutely. Likewise, there are plenty of value plays tonight -- Nets, Bulls, Grizzlies come to mind -- but none whom I can't live without there either. That leads me to my decision to build around Holiday tonight. The Pelicans are as motivated as anyone, and Holiday is in what looks like takeover mode. Contributing in multiple categories each and every night, Holiday is priced for the top end of his spectrum, but there's no reason he shouldn't get there in a fast-paced game with the Clippers, who are one of the most generous guard matchups in the league.

Joe Kaiser -- Nikola Mirotic, New Orleans Pelicans

It's a perfect night to load up on Pelicans, as my colleagues have also pointed out, and Mirotic is underpriced after three consecutive games of at least 25 points and six rebounds. Facing a Clippers team that's been eliminated from playoff contention, the Pelicans are still trying to solidify a spot for themselves, and Mirotic's scoring and rebounding give him a chance to exceed 40 daily fantasy points in this one.

Kyle Soppe -- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

There are only a few options on tonight's slate, as the wise fantasy manager will be building around a motivated star. If you want to go full stars and scrubs, I fully condone it, but Davis is the high-end player I am making sure I get as much exposure to as I can. As the Pellies look to qualify for postseason play, they have not been shy about leaning on The Brow (nearly 37 minutes per game over the past two weeks), and I'll happily invest in that level of court time against a checked-out Clippers team that has given up at least 110 points in all four April games. Davis has been giving New Orleans all it could possibly ask for this month, as he has attempted not only 10-plus free throws in all four games, but also recorded multiple blocks and multiple steals in each of those contests.

Players to fade

Renee Miller -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

I'm high on players from motivated teams, and Towns qualifies, but for several reasons, he won't be on my rosters tonight. First, he's averaged just 37 fantasy points against the slow-paced Memphis Grizzlies this season, and second, he's not that much cheaper than Jokic, who has been outproducing Towns substantially down the stretch and is just as motivated. Moreover, Jimmy Butler is back, and while that's great for him and the team overall, it has the potential to cut into Towns' usage.

Joe Kaiser -- DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

DeRozan sat out Sunday's game to rest and played 28 minutes or less in the two games before that. With the Raptors all set to go for the playoffs, having wrapped up the No 1 seed, DeRozan and the Raptors have little incentive to bring their "A game" against the Pistons tonight. That doesn't fit the profile of someone you'd want to have on your roster.

Kyle Soppe -- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have nothing to play for, and Lowry appears to be wearing down at the worst possible time (9.5 points per game in April on 30.2 percent shooting from the field). Is it possible that Lowry gets right? Of course. But I think Toronto is more likely to take it easy on him (they are on the second night of a back-to-back) over the final week in an effort to have him rested for what they hope is a long playoff run. The Pistons rank in the top half of the league in defensive efficiency, and while they have nothing to play for, I expect them to perform well in their final home game. Lowry has proved to be more risk than potential reward of late, and with so much star power residing on desperate teams, there is no reason to spend up for a struggling player on a satisfied team.

(ESPN)