This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The Celtics will have a chance to eliminate the Raptors on Wednesday and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Clippers will also attempt to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Nuggets. Let's break down which players from these two games to consider on Yahoo, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Fred VanVleet, TOR at BOS ($32): VanVleet's 14 shot attempts in Game 5 marked his fewest in the series with the Celtics. However, he still scored 18 points to go along with five assists and three steals across 34 minutes. His playing time actually decreased because of the blowout nature of the game. He had logged at least 41 minutes in each of the previous three games. With that type of minutes floor, he should continue to be productive in Game 6.
Marcus Smart, BOS vs. TOR ($20): Smart has been firing away from behind the arc, averaging eight three-point attempts per game during the series. He's hit them at a rate of 40 percent, which has enabled him to average 14.2 points. He has also been able to average 5.8 rebounds and four assists because of his increase in playing time caused by the absence of Gordon Hayward (ankle). Don't expect his role to change any in this contest.
Guard to Avoid
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. LAC ($36): The Clippers put the clamps back on Murray after he had a productive Game 2, holding him to 5-for-17 from the field in Game 3. He shot 5-for-15 in Game 1 and has now scored 14 points or fewer in two of the three games. With the Clippers focusing so much of their defensive efforts on slowing him down, he is a boom or bust option at this salary.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, LAC at DEN ($49): Leonard returned to his dominant form in Game 3, scoring 23 points to go along with 14 rebounds, six assists and two blocks across 42 minutes. The Clippers were cautious with his playing time all season so that they could deploy him in full force in the playoffs. With no minutes restrictions in sight, he's now scored at least 50 Yahoo points in seven of nine playoff games.
Paul Millsap, DEN vs. LAC ($12): If you're looking to take a chance on a player at near the minimum salary, Millsap might be worth a look. After playing fewer than 20 minutes in five of seven games against the Jazz, he's logged at least 24 minutes in all three games versus the Clippers. While his production hasn't been off the charts, he has scored at least 11 points in all three games, which helped him score at least 20.7 Yahoo points two times.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris, LAC at DEN ($18): After a productive showing in Game 1, Morris has come back down to Earth by scoring 20.3 Yahoo points or fewer in back-to-back games. His upside is usually limited based on his role within the Clippers' offense. Case in point, he's attempted nine shots or fewer in six of their last seven games. If you're looking to take a chance on a player with a reduced salary, it might be better to go really big on the savings and roll with Millsap instead.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. LAC ($43): To say Jokic has bounced back well from a dud in Game 1 would be a massive understatement. He's scored at least 54.4 Yahoo points in both of the last two games and has now scored at least 44.4 Yahoo points in eight of 10 playoff games. While his salary will eat up a significant portion of your budget, he is leaps and bounds better than any of the other centers that are available.
Daniel Theis, BOS vs. TOR ($16): If you want to fade Jokic, Theis is a viable target. After a slow start in the series against the Sixers, he's now averaged 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across the last six games. Despite the limited shot attempts that he normally receives, he often does enough with regards to rebounds and blocks to be valuable at such a cheap salary.
Center to Avoid
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at DEN ($16): It was another quiet performance from Harrell in Game 3 when he finished with 11 points and three rebounds. He only played 22 minutes and is averaging just 19 minutes a night during the playoffs. While he was a crucial part of the Clippers' second unit during the regular season, they seem to have gone away from him some in the playoffs. Until he starts to play more, it might be best to keep him out of your entry.
