This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
It doesn't get much better than Game 7. We are lucky enough to have two of them Sunday in the NBA playoffs, setting up for an exciting day of hoops. This slate also brings another opportunity to win some cash on Yahoo, so here are players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
GUARDS
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. POR ($29): Murray has emerged as one of the more reliable options in DFS during the playoffs, especially in this series against the Blazers. He's scored at least 40 Yahoo points in five of the last six games on the strength of his 24.7 points per game. He's been so much more than just a scorer, averaging six rebounds and 5.3 assists, as well. At this reasonable price, he once again has the potential to provide plenty of value.
Gary Harris, DEN vs. POR ($19): After underperforming for the majority of the regular season, Harris is trying to make up for it in the playoffs. While his numbers aren't off the charts, he's scored at least 26 Yahoo points five times in this series. The key has been increased playing time with him averaging 40 minutes a game compared to 29 minutes a night during the regular season. As far as cheaper options go, he's one of the most appealing.
Guard to Avoid
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. PHI ($28): This is more about the other options available than it is about Lowry's play. He's not having a terrible series from a fantasy perspective, scoring at least 29.6 Yahoo points five times. However, Murray has been much more productive and is only a dollar more. The only reason to deploy Lowry would be as a contrarian play in a GPP, but even that might be a questionable move.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR vs. PHI ($43): Despite Toronto's disappointing loss, Leonard came through in Game 6 with 49.9 Yahoo points. He's had a fantastic series, averaging 33.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a steal. The Raptors are going to lean on him heavily in Game 7, so look for him to produce another monster stat line.
Paul Millsap, DEN vs. POR ($22): The Spurs put the clamps on Millsap in the first round, leaving him to score 21.7 Yahoo points or fewer in six of seven games. However, he's come to life in this series versus the Blazers by scoring at least 31.7 Yahoo points in each contest. One of the main reasons for his improved production has been his increased usage rate. After averaging nine shot attempts a game in the first round, he's averaged 13.3 per contest in the second round. He's one of the top mid-tier options to consider at any position.
Forward to Avoid
Maurice Harkless, POR at DEN ($14): Harkless scored only 11.6 Yahoo points Thursday and continues to have a hard time finding playing time. After logging 45 minutes in a quadruple-overtime win in Game 3, he's played 17 minutes or fewer in three straight contests. With Rodney Hood starting to catch fire, expect Harkless to play another limited role in Game 7.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. POR ($48): Facing elimination at home, the Nuggets are going to need Jokic to carry them to victory. He's had no problems dominating this series, averaging 26.8 points, 14 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.2 steals while playing a ton of minutes. Expect him to rise to the occasion with another excellent performance.
Zach Collins, POR at DEN ($12): After starting off the series playing well, Enes Kanter is averaging just six points and shooting 26.1 percent from the field across the last three games. He's been battling through a shoulder injury, so that could be the main reason for his muted production of late. Collins logged a series-high 29 minutes in Game 6 and cashed in with 38.3 Yahoo points. After scoring at least 23.6 Yahoo points in three of the last four games, Collins should continue to be a key part of the Blazers' second unit and could see added playing time again if Kanter struggles.
Center to Avoid
Marc Gasol, TOR vs. PHI ($20): There's really no argument to be made for rostering Gasol here. Playing time hasn't been a problem, but he's scored 28.2 Yahoo points or fewer in every game of this series. With the Raptors wanting him to focus on slowing down Joel Embiid, he's only averaged 7.8 shot attempts per contest. Spend elsewhere.
