This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The Sunday-Monday Yahoo NBA contest involves Game 3 of the Warriors-Thunder series and Game 4 of the Cavaliers-Raptors series. We are not in the thick of things, which has allowed us to get a sense of how the series are going to play out. Ahead, we will look at less obvious solid plays, as well as players to avoid.
GUARD
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs CLE ($35) - DeRozan struggled in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The difficulties he faced were likely a result of a thumb injury. However, he appears to be healthy in Round 3, as he has seen his numbers increase in each of the first three games of the series. The Raptors, even though they won Game 3, do not have a lot going for them in this series, but DeRozan has been their main consistent presence. Also, at a modest $35, he is the cheapest of the top-tier guards available.
Andre Iguodala, GS at OKC ($17) - Iguodala is an important veteran presence off the bench for Golden State, and he has been playing his best basketball of the postseason in this series. He has averaged 24.3 fantasy points through the first two games, which is roughly five points higher than his season average. Look for the Warriors to continue relying on Iguodala in an important Game 3 on the road, especially when Stephen Curry rests.
Guard to Avoid:
Klay Thompson, GS at OKC ($41) - There are a number of good options at guard, which makes this a difficult selection. Thompson has arguably been the most valuable player for the Warriors in the postseason. However, playing on the road in a Game 3 could be cause for concern. He saw his numbers dip from 41.3 fantasy points in Game 1 to just 24.4 in Game 2. The other guards in the top tier have a higher ceiling, while Thompson loses a lot of his value if his shot is off.
FORWARD
Kevin Durant, OKC vs GS ($51) - The options at forward are not pretty. There is a big drop after the top two tiers. Durant is playing in one of the most important stretches of his career, given the uncertainty of his future following this season. After a solid 46 fantasy points in Game 1, he only posted 32.7 in Game 2. It is important to note that he was playing very well in the first half prior to the game becoming a blow out in the second quarter. While LeBron James is a tempting option at the same price, Durant and the Thunder are less likely to be involved in a blowout game. Durant gives you the best chance for a monster stat line.
Luis Scola, TOR vs CLE ($10) - Scola played a relatively big role at power forward during the regular season, but was somewhat of an after thought through the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, after getting throttled in Game 1 the Raptors opted to switch up their lineup. Scola started Game 2, posting a respectable six points, three rebounds, one assist and one triple in 12 minutes. He again started Game 3 and saw his minutes increase. While his numbers have not been something to write home about, his increased role with the team give him the potential to out produce his price.
Forward to Avoid:
Draymond Green, GS vs OKC ($49) - There are only really a few good options at forward. The reason Green is not a great option is simply his price. He saw his price rise with Curry out of the starting lineup during Round 2 against the Trail Blazers. In the first four games of that series he averaged a remarkable 60.1 fantasy points. However, since Curry has returned to the starting lineup he has only averaged 37.6 points. Green is still a great player, but he does not have the opportunity to produce statistically worth his price when Golden State is fully healthy. Until his price returns to the mean he will be a risky play.
CENTER
Festus Ezeli, GS at OKC ($10) - Center is thin in the East Conference finals. With Jonas Valanciunas' status uncertain there are simply few options. Bismack Biyombo has come back to earth against a stellar defensive Cleveland frontcourt. Steven Adams is likely the safest play, but he will also require the highest investment. Ezeli is interesting due to his potential upside. After getting into foul trouble early in Game 1 he only played eight minutes, and put up 6.6 fantasy points. However, he bounced back in Game 2 posting 12 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block in 14 minutes. If he can stay out of trouble he is the most likely candidate to give you some bang for your buck in the frontcourt.
Center to Avoid:
Andrew Bogut, GS at OKC ($13) - This pick sort of goes hand-in-hand with the aforementioned suggestion of Ezeli. Bogut was dealing with a hip injury heading into this series, and it appears to have affected his output a bit. He has only averaged 2.0 points, 4.5 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in the first two games of the series. Those numbers have equated to a 13.4 fantasy point average. That is nearly seven points less than his season average. Ezeli likely has the highest ceiling of the two Warriors' big men.
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