This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings another two-game slate, narrowing our options but nevertheless offering some value that can be taken advantage of. We'll stay honed in on those cost-saving selections, and will highlight some higher-priced choices that could struggle to return adequate value.
Without further ado, here's our look at Tuesday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball:
GUARD
George Hill, IND at TOR ($18) - Hill presents some nice value on such a short slate, particularly after coach Frank Vogel made an adjustment in Game 4 to ensure that his veteran point guard had the ball more often. The strategy provided excellent results, as Hill amassed 32.3 fantasy points and eclipsed the 20-point mark for the first time in the series. We figure to get more of the same in Game 5, which gives Hill a good chance to provide a nice return on his cost-effective price.
Evan Turner, BOS at ATL ($25) - While Marcus Smart ($19) is $6 cheaper, he's also proven capable of going cold with his shot without warning in the past. Turner provides a steadier presence at only a slightly higher price, scoring 22.5 to 37.4 fantasy points in the first four games of the series, with three of those contests over the 30-fantasy point mark. He's been filling out the stat sheet in typical fashion throughout the series, and should be in for another healthy heap of minutes.
Guard to Avoid:
Monta Ellis, IND at TOR ($27) - Ellis hasn't been himself the last two games, only mustering seven points in each of those contests. Paul George has dominated a substantial portion of the Pacers' scoring throughout the series, and coach Frank Vogel's scheme to get George Hill the ball more often during Game 4 also generated very positive results. With both Marcus Smart ($19) and Kyle Korver ($13) considerably cheaper and providing better returns over the last two games, Ellis can be avoided.
FORWARD
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. BOS ($20) - Bazemore is still listed on the injury report with a knee ailment, but he figures to be on the court for Game 5. He topped 30 fantasy points in two of the first four games, with 23.1 and 26.3 points, respectively, in the other two contests. His price is holding steady at a very reasonable level, and he faces off against a Celtics defense that gave up the seventh-most fantasy points (40.31) to opposing threes this season.
Amir Johnson, BOS at ATL ($16) - Johnson's importance to what the Celtics are doing in this series was emphasized by coach Brad Stevens after Game 4, a contest in which the veteran big man totaled 27.3 fantasy points. He scored 25.6 to 27.4 fantasy points in the two prior games as well, yet is notably priced below that level of production. He's also encouragingly received 31 and 28 minutes, respectively, over the last two games – always a welcome sign in Stevens' often-unpredictable frontcourt rotations.
Forward to Avoid:
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. IND ($36) - Like Ellis, DeRozan is another talented two-guard that hasn't come close to living up to his price for most of the series. He's scored 17.8 and 17.2 fantasy points, respectively, in two of the last three games, and coach Dwane Casey has publicly indicated that DeRozan may have to change his approach to be more of a facilitator if that's what the Pacers' defensive approach dictates. DeRozan is shooting 29.6 percent so far in the series, yet his price is that of a much more productive player.
CENTER
Ian Mahinmi, IND at TOR ($19) - This selection is contingent on Mahinmi (back) overcoming his questionable designation, which he did in spectacular fashion in Game 4, collecting 45.5 fantasy points on the strength of a 22-point, 10-rebound effort. While there's always an element of risk scoring-wise with Mahinmi, he offers the best combination of price and upside among the shallow center pool on a two-game slate.
CENTER TO AVOID:
Kelly Olynyk, BOS at ATL ($12) – Olynyk is becoming increasingly irrelevant in this first-round series, and even coach Brad Stevens hinted that his role could remain limited for the remaining games versus the Hawks. Olynyk managed 3.7 and 2.4 fantasy points in the two games he played, and his ailing shoulder figures to limit his opportunities even if he does get on the court.
