This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We have a rare three-game slate on Yahoo that stretches from Thursday through Friday. That gives us a few more options to choose from than normal. Here are some players to consider for your lineup, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
LeBron James, LAL at HOU ($54): James could not be stopped in Game 3, scoring 36 points on his way to 64.9 Yahoo points. He even chipped in four blocks, giving him eight total in the series. With his ability to contribute in so many areas, expect him to once again provide a high floor as the Lakers try to gain a 3-1 series lead.
Rajon Rondo, LAL at HOU ($15): Rondo has been one of the biggest difference-makers of this series among the Lakers' supporting cast. He's logged at least 29 minutes in back-to-back games, which enabled him to score at least 36.9 Yahoo points in both contests. He has a reputation of performing well in the playoffs and could be well worth the risk at this cheap salary.
Guard to Avoid
Jamal Murray, DEN at LAC ($35): It was another ugly shooting performance in Game 4 for Murray, who finished 6-for-15 from the field. He's now shooting 38.2 percent from the field for the series, which includes him going 10-for-21 in his only strong performance in Game 2. The Clippers have been able to focus their defensive efforts on him with so few other weapons around him on the Nuggets, so don't be surprised if he struggles in Game 5, as well.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs. DEN ($50): Despite the Clippers scoring just 96 points in Game 4, Leonard scored 30 points himself. He also chipped in 11 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks on his way to a whopping 73.7 Yahoo points. During the Clippers' playoff run, he's averaged 29.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals across 10 games.
Norman Powell, TOR vs. BOS ($13): If it weren't for Powell, the Raptors might not have forced a Game 7. He came up big in Game 6, scoring 23 points across 38 minutes. He was certainly aided by the game going into double overtime, but his clutch shooting may have earned him more playing time Friday. At near the minimum salary, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris, LAC vs. DEN ($16): The good news is that Morris has scored at least 11 points in four straight games. The bad news is that he only averaged 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals during that stretch. Most of his shot attempts have come from behind the arc, which does help his offensive upside despite his limited shot attempts, but with his lack of contributions elsewhere, it might be best to keep him out of your lineup.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at LAC ($43): Jokic has bounced back in a big way after a disappointing performance in Game 1, scoring at least 48.2 Yahoo points in each of the last three games. He averaged 21.3 shot attempts across those three contests, which is a significant increase compared to his season average of 14.7 attempts a game. The Nuggets are facing elimination here, so don't expect Jokic to be any less aggressive on the offensive end.
Daniel Theis, BOS at TOR ($17): Theis was busy in Game 6, logging 47 minutes. He finished 9-for-11 from the field and is shooting 60.5 percent for the series. That's not totally out of the ordinary for him considering he shot 56.6 percent from the field during the regular season. The Celtics basically have no depth behind him at center, which has enabled Theis to score at least 24.8 Yahoo points in five of the last seven games.
Center to Avoid
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. DEN ($16): A lack of playing time continues to be a problem for Harrell's fantasy upside. He logged 18 minutes in Game 4 while scoring 16.4 Yahoo points. With an average of only 19 minutes a game during the playoffs, he's produced averages of 10.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest. For only a dollar more, it seems like a no brainer to roll with Theis.
