This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We have two more playoff games Saturday with the Raptors trying to even up their series with the Celtics and the Clippers trying to take a 2-0 lead over the Nuggets. Let's examine the limited options on Yahoo and discuss some players to target, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Kyle Lowry, TOR at BOS ($32): Lowry was exceptional in Game 3, scoring 31 points to go along with six rebounds, eight assists and two steals across 46 minutes. He's scored at least 34.2 Yahoo points in each game of this series and should once again play a ton in Game 4. His salary won't destroy your budget and his floor is as high as any of the other guards who are available.
Marcus Smart, BOS vs. TOR ($19): After scoring 32.2 Yahoo points in Game 1, Smart has produced 25.1 and 26 Yahoo points across the last two games, respectively. Although his usage rate usually isn't that high, it helps that most of the shot attempts that he does get come from behind the arc. Playing time won't be hard for him to come by with Gordon Hayward (ankle) still out, so he is one of the more appealing budget-friendly options.
Guard to Avoid
Jamal Murray, DEN at LAC ($36): The Nuggets were blown out in Game 1, which contributed to Murray scoring 25.6 Yahoo points across 33 minutes. He had logged at least 41 minutes in each of the Nuggets' last four games. The Clippers are a very good defensive team and the Nuggets don't have a ton of great scoring options outside of Murray and Nikola Jokic ($41), so expect the Clippers to focus their defensive efforts on limiting those two throughout this series.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs. DEN ($49): Leonard was extremely efficient in Game 1, scoring 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting from the field. He also registered two steals, giving him 16 of them through seven playoff games. The Clippers could make quick work of the Nuggets in this series since they have the vastly superior roster, but even if they win Game 2 in blowout fashion again, Leonard should be very productive.
Jerami Grant, DEN at LAC ($16): With the Nuggets getting routed by such a wide margin, Grant only logged 26 minutes in Game 1. That's not normal for him since he had averaged 36.5 minutes across the previous four games. It's difficult to find viable forward options with cheap salaries for this slate, so Grant should at least be on your radar based on his high minutes floor.
Forward to Avoid
Michael Porter Jr., DEN at LAC ($19): Porter had a rough showing in Game 1, scoring five points on 2-for-9 shooting from the field. He did chip in six rebounds, but he didn't have an assist or a block across his 23 minutes. His playing time has started to dwindle now that he's moved back to the bench and that has contributed to him scoring fewer than 10 points in three of the last five games.
CENTERS
Serge Ibaka, TOR a BOS ($23): Game 3 brought a rare off night for Ibaka, who only produced two points and four rebounds across 22 minutes. Don't let one bad performance overshadow what he's done in the playoffs so far. Across the first six playoff games, he averaged 18.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and one block. He's one of their key players off the bench for the Raptors, so look for him to bounce back in a big way.
Daniel Theis, BOS vs. TOR ($15): With some of the excellent options at guard and forward, rolling with Theis at center might be the way to go to still get production at the position while providing significant relief for your budget. He produced a respectable nine points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block in Game 3 and has scored at least 23.4 Yahoo points in four straight games. He's played at least 30 minutes in back-to-back games and should continue to be a key part of the Celtics' frontcourt moving forward.
Center to Avoid
Marc Gasol, TOR at BOS ($10): Gasol is a shell of the player that he was in his glory days with the Grizzlies. He's played limited minutes despite starting for the Raptors and he hasn't scored more than 24 Yahoo points in any of their games during the playoffs. No need to overthink this one, keep Gasol out of your entry.
