This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With both Conference Finals continuing to play every other day, Yahoo's DFS contest will stretch from Thursday into Friday. The Warriors and Bucks will both be looking to gain 2-0 series leads before going on the road. Here are some players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
GUARDS
Klay Thompson, GS vs. POR ($28): Thompson didn't disappoint in Game 1, scoring 44.7 Yahoo points across 37 minutes. While he wasn't very efficient, he scored 26 points on the strength of his 24 shot attempts. He was also an asset on the defensive end with three steals and two blocks. With Kevin Durant (calf) out again for Game 2, Thompson should continue to have increased upside.
Andre Iguodala, GS vs. POR ($14): Despite not having Durant, Iguodala wasn't very involved in the offense Tuesday, scoring only four points on three shot attempts. However, his other contributions were still respectable since he finished with three rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. He had attempted at least seven shots in each of his previous nine games, so look for him to be more involved in Game 2. He's cheap enough that he's worth the risk.
Guard to Avoid
C.J. McCollum, POR at GS ($32): After putting the Blazers on his back in Game 7 against the Nuggets, McCollum scored 17 points on 7-for-19 shooting from the field in Game 1 against the Warriors. He only had three rebounds and one assist, as well, leaving him with 19.1 Yahoo points. The Warriors limited McCollum to 18 points per game and 36.6 shooting from the field across four matchups in the regular season, so he could be in for a rough series. Thompson at least has a similar upside as McCollum does, if not higher, so he might be the better option since he is also four dollars cheaper.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR at MIL ($44): The Raptors couldn't hold on to win Game 1, but Leonard was once again spectacular with 50.8 Yahoo points. He scored 31 points on 26 shot attempts and is now averaging 31.8 points on 21.5 shots per game during the playoffs. If the Raptors are going to have any chance of winning Game 2, it will be on his shoulders, so expect him to have a high floor once again.
Rodney Hood, POR at GS ($11): Hood managed to take the floor Tuesday despite his knee injury and wasn't limited since he logged 26 minutes. While he likely isn't completely healthy, he was productive with 24.1 Yahoo points. The Blazers are going to need his shooting if they are going to steal a win on the road, making him an option to consider taking a chance on in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. TOR ($30): Middleton made an impact on the boards Wednesday with 11 rebounds. However, he only scored 11 points while shooting 4-for-12 from the field. He averaged 14 points across four games versus the Raptors in the regular season, so his muted offensive production to kick off the series wasn't a huge surprise. At this price, his limited ceiling makes him someone to avoid.
CENTERS
Zach Collins, POR at GS ($12): After having Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid at our disposal in the second round, there is now a huge void of talent at center for the Conference Finals. With so many great guards and forwards to pick from, it might be best to pay more at those positions. As far as cheap centers go, Collins is a viable option. He wasn't great with 16.3 Yahoo points in Game 1, but he did log 18 minutes and should continue to be one of the Blazers key reserves.
Kevon Looney, GS vs. POR ($10): Although Looney continues to come off the bench behind Andrew Bogut, Bogut hasn't played more than 12 minutes in either of his two starts. Looney has logged at least 20 minutes in both games, scoring 26.5 and 21.9 Yahoo points, respectively. He has similar upside as Collins and is priced two dollars cheaper, so he might actually be the better option if you choose to go the cheap route at center.
Center to Avoid
Marc Gasol, TOR at MIL ($20): After doing an excellent job of slowing down Joel Embiid in the previous series, Gasol was torched by Brook Lopez for 29 points Wednesday. Go figure. Not only did he struggle defensively, but Gasol was also just 2-for-11 from the field. While his rebounding and shot blocking ability will likely keep him from being a complete flop in terms of fantasy production, his ceiling isn't very high. With Looney available at half the price, rolling with Gasol is risky.
