This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Monday brings two more playoff games in the NBA with the Bucks hosting the Heat and the Nuggets hosting the Trail Blazers. We also have another opportunity for some DFS fun on Yahoo, so let's highlight some players to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR at DEN ($42): Game 1 didn't bring an efficient performance from Lillard considering he shot 10-for-25 from the field. However, he went 5-for-12 from behind the arc on his way to 34 points. He wasn't just looking for his own shot, either, dishing out 13 assists in the contest. He logged 40 minutes and should play a ton throughout the playoffs, making him one of the safer options on this slate given his role within the Blazers' offense.
Goran Dragic, MIA at MIL ($18): Dragic played a huge role in the Heat eliminating the Bucks from the playoffs last season, averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals in the series. Although the Heat couldn't win Game 1 of their series this season, Dragic was once again productive, posting 25 points on five three-pointers. While his two rebounds and one assist were disappointing, he should improve in those areas given his season averages of 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
Guard to Avoid
Duncan Robinson, MIA at MIL ($13): When Robinson is hot, he can dominate a game from behind the arc. He was certainly dialed in for Game 1, hitting 7 of 13 attempts from deep on his way to 24 points. However, given his limited contributions in other areas throughout the season, he's a risky option in DFS. If his shot is off for any given night, his overall line will likely be extremely underwhelming.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, MIA at MIL ($42): Butlers often steps up in the biggest moments. He proved that throughout the Heat's playoff run last season. However, he struggled in Game 1, shooting just 4-for-22 from the field. He did help salvage his stat line, though, with 10 rebounds and eight assists. Given that he shot 49.7 percent from the field during the regular season, look for Butler to bounce back offensively in Game 2.
Carmelo Anthony, POR at DEN ($10): During the regular season, players resting and packed schedules made for some easy value play options. However, with only two games and teams shortening their rotations for the playoffs, finding a viable option at the minimum salary is not easy now. With that being said, Anthony should at least be on your radar. He chipped in 18 points off the bench in Game 1 and with teams forced to focus their efforts on stopping Lillard and CJ McCollum, Anthony could continue to find himself with favorable scoring opportunities.
Forward to Avoid
Norman Powell, POR at DEN ($20): Playing alongside Lillard and McCollum, Powell has seen his usage rate on the decline. He had a 24.2 percent usage rate with the Raptors, but only recorded a 20.5 percent mark after being dealt to the Blazers. If he's not scoring, it's difficult for him to provide value at this salary given that he only averaged 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists during his stints with both teams during the regular season.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. POR ($53): Considering his average of 8.3 assists per game during the regular season, seeing Jokic log just one assist in Game 1 was rare. However, that's likely because he put the scoring onus on his shoulders, finishing with 34 points on 27 shot attempts. He also logged 16 rebounds, so he still came away with an excellent stat line. With the Nuggets looking to avoid an 0-2 hole, look for Jokic to once again try to assert his dominance on the offensive end.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at DEN ($29): Having Nurkic healthy for the playoffs is key for the Blazers. He showed why he's so important to their success in Game 1, producing 16 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and a steal. After only averaging 24 minutes per game during the regular season, he logged 33 minutes in Game 1. That increased playing time should be a trend that continues in Game 2.
Center to Avoid
Enes Kanter, POR at DEN ($13): If Nurkic is playing more minutes, than that means Kanter is likely going to struggle to see the floor. He logged only 15 minutes in Game 1, scoring a paltry 4.8 Yahoo points. Don't expect his minutes to increase anytime soon.
