This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings a trio of Game 2's in the NBA playoffs. Let's dive into the options on Yahoo and discuss some players to target for your DFS lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Devin Booker, PHO vs. LAL ($31): Booker couldn't have played much better in Game 1, scoring 34 points while shooting 13-for-26 from the field. His excellent efficiency shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that he's shot at least 48.4 percent from the field in both of the last two seasons. In addition to his big scoring night, he added seven rebounds and eight assists across his 45 minutes. With a ton of minutes and shot attempts likely coming his way in Game 2, he enters with a high floor.
Rajon Rondo, LAC vs. DAL ($12): Although Patrick Beverley started at point guard in Game 1, he played only 17 minutes. Rondo logged 24 minutes off the bench, which helped him score 26.8 Yahoo points. He has a history of coming up big in the playoffs, so if he can approach 25 minutes again in Game 2, he could provide value at near the minimum salary,
Guard to Avoid
Chris Paul, PHO vs. LAL ($32): The Suns held their collective breathes when Paul went down with a shoulder injury early in Game 1. He ended up returning to the floor and played 36 minutes. He only attempted eight shots, though, as he appeared to be hampered by the injury. While he's not on the injury report for Game 2, it might be best to take a wait-and-see approach with his injury before playing him in DFS again.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, BKN vs. BOS ($46): The Celtics had no answer for Durant, who finished Game 1 with 32 points and 12 rebounds. He led the Nets with 25 shot attempts and could have had an even better night had he not shot just 1-for-8 from behind the arc. Expect him to pace the Nets' scoring attack in Game 2, as well.
Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL at LAC ($14): Finney-Smith had a surprising performance in Game 1, shooting 4-for-5 from behind the arc on his way to 18 points. He only averaged 9.8 points per game during the regular season, so don't expect him to go off in the scoring column again in Game 2. However, with his high minutes floor and the Clippers having to focus their defensive efforts on slowing down Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, Finney-Smith has a chance to provide value.
Forward to Avoid
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at PHO ($16): Kuzma disappeared in Game 1, attempting only two shots while being held scoreless. The bigger concern was that he only played 19 minutes. With the Lakers getting healthy, he logged 23 minutes or fewer in two of their final three games during the regular season, as well. Until he starts to play more, he's too risky to deploy in DFS.
CENTERS
Deandre Ayton, PHO vs. LAL ($25): Booker wasn't the only young player on the Suns to have a big playoff debut. Ayton destroyed the Lakers' big men, finishing with 21 points, 16 rebounds and one block. With that being said, he shot 10-for-11 from the field, a feat that he likely won't be able to replicate moving forward. Still, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks during the regular season, so he's an appealing option on a slate with limited centers to choose from.
Robert Williams, BOS at BKN ($22): While the Nets are loaded with scorers, they are weak defensively in the middle. Williams exploited that weakness in Game 1, coming off the bench to recording 11 points and nine rebounds across 23 minutes. The biggest stat was his nine blocks, which helped propel him to 53.3 Yahoo points. He averaged 1.8 blocks across just 19 minutes per game during the regular season, so he can continue to excel in that category in Game 2.
Center to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL at LAC ($30): Despite suffering a disappointing loss in Game 1, the Clippers held Porzingis is check. He scored just 14 points, shooting 4-for-13 from the field. He also grabbed just four rebounds, marking he third time over his last four games that he's logged five or fewer boards. Injuries took a toll on him again this season, including down the stretch, which makes it difficult to justify paying his salary until he shows signs of getting back on track.
