This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After the Warriors handled the Blazers in Game 1 of their series, the Eastern Conference Finals starts Wednesday with the Bucks hosting the Raptors. That contest will be included with Thursday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to form Yahoo's two-game slate. Here are some players to target and avoid for 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) expected to be 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
Kyle Lowry, TOR at MIL ($28): The Raptors were able to advance with a win in Game 7 against the Sixers despite Lowry shooting a dreadful 4-for-13 from the field. He didn't have a horrible series from a fantasy perspective, but he also didn't score more than 36.7 Yahoo points in any of the seven contests. The Bucks were tied for the fourth-fewest Yahoo points allowed per game (39.3) to opposing point guards during the regular season, making Lowry a risky option.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR at MIL ($44): Talk about a player putting his team on his back. With their season on the line Sunday, Leonard exploded for 41 points, including the game-winning shot at the buzzer. He attempted a staggering 39 shots in that game, finishing with an average of 23.4 shot attempts per contest in the series. With his massive usage rate, he's a safe option despite his lofty price tag.
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 still 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 ($31): Middleton had a strong series against the Celtics, scoring at least 35 Yahoo points four times. However, he didn't top 37.1 Yahoo points in any of those contests and doesn't have an extremely high ceiling. The Raptors are a good defensive team who limited him to averages of 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists across four games during the regular season, so it might be best to allocate your funds elsewhere.
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 their 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
Brook Lopez, MIL vs. TOR ($18): The Celtics didn't do much right in their series against the Bucks, but they did shut down Lopez in a big way. He was held scoreless in Game 5 and ended the series with averages of 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds a game. Things won't get any easier for him facing Marc Gasol, so don't even think about adding him to your entry.
