This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We're in full playoff swing, and with teams beginning to face elimination, we're likely to see the elite players getting even more minutes than usual. Additionally, role players who may have provided some fantasy value early in their series may not be as effective now, which means it's imperative to get those guaranteed points into lineups.
GUARD
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. HOU ($66): It feels crazy to recommend a $66 player, but that's just how good Westbrook has been. The 60 fantasy points per game average for the season is reason enough, but the fact that he's averaging over 77 per game in his last two playoff contests makes him even more enticing. Those are just crazy numbers and it's hard to avoid a guy whose posting ridiculous stat lines like he has.
George Hill, UTA vs. LAC ($23): Hill was in and out of the lineup all season due to lingering foot issues, but he's outperformed his price all year when he's played. He is averaging 29 fantasy points per game for the season and 30 per game in the playoffs. It should come as no surprise either, with Hill averaging 37 minutes per game, while posting a usage rate north of 22 percent. This is basically a must-win game for Utah as well, so George's minutes will likely be high again.
Guard to Avoid
J.J. Redick, LAC at UTA ($14): People may pivot to Redick because he's a starter playing 25-plus minutes, but he simply can't do anything against the stifling Jazz defense. Redick has failed to crack 12 fantasy points in all three games of the series despite playing at least 27 minutes in each appearance. It should come as no surprise either, with Utah allowing the fewest fantasy points to shooting guards this season.
FORWARD
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. LAC ($20): Favors has been terrible in the playoffs, but he has too big of a role to continue to be this bad. What makes him so valuable is his minutes, as he's averaging nearly 35 per game. Favors has to be better than this too, as he's shown the capability to be a $30 player in the past. It's not like he's been useless, as he had at least 23 fantasy points in two of his three playoff games.
Andre Roberson, OKC vs. HOU ($15): Roberson has destroyed the Rockets all season, as he's scored at least 27 fantasy points in seven straight games against them, including at least 31 in all three playoff games. That's nearly twice his season average and it comes because of the big increase in minutes he's asked to play while guarding James Harden. As long as Harden is playing big minutes, Roberson will too.
Forward to Avoid
Blake Griffin, LAC at UTA ($41): It was announced Saturday that Griffin will miss the remainder of the playoffs, a trend that has become all too common for the Clippers. This is just a note to stay away from the big man for the remainder of the postseason. Players like Marreese Speights and Jamal Crawford should be looking at a bit more run in his absence.
CENTER
Al Horford, BOS at CHI ($27): Horford has been a nice bright spot for the Celtics in the playoffs and he continues to be underpriced. Not only is he averaging 33 fantasy points per game for the season, but he is averaging 38 per game in this series. He should continue to be used heavily too, as this is a big game for the Celtics to even up the series.
Robin Lopez, CHI vs. BOS ($15): The Celtics have struggled against centers all season, and Lopez has taken advantage, averaging 28 fantasy points per game in the series. It should come as no surprise, with Boston ranking 28th in rebound differential, while allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to centers this season.
Center to Avoid
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. LAC ($40): With Gobert's status up in the air, he's an easy fade as the most expensive center. While he may end up playing, he is far too risky of an option due to limited minutes or a possible recurrence of his knee injury. It's also a tough matchup if he does end up playing, with DeAndre Jordan ranking as one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. What also makes Gobert a risky choice is the simple fact that he plays the final game of the night, so there are very few fill-in options if he is ruled out late.
