This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's two-game NBA slate features a desperate Trail Blazers team looking to make their series with the Warriors competitive, and a pair of teams battling for control of their matchup in Miami and Toronto. The former contest is likely to provide the majority of the night's fantasy value due to its faster pace, but there are still select strong plays to be found in the latter.
GUARD
Damian Lillard, POR vs. GS ($43) - Lillard has erupted offensively, topping 40.0 fantasy points in three straight games after failing to reach that threshold in his first five appearances this postseason. He has connected on 14 3-pointers in that span and should continue to get the green light from deep with Portland looking to neutralize Golden State's superior shooting. This could be your last opportunity to grab Lillard before Warriors steals leader Stephen Curry returns, so don't let it go to waste.
Shaun Livingston, GS at POR ($20) - Livingston's time as Golden State's interim starting point guard is drawing to a close, so get him while he still holds value. The veteran has exceeded his valuation with ease in this series thanks to balanced performances, and that is unlikely to change despite the change in venue. He has been a strong value play in every postseason game since Stephen Curry's knee injury, so recent history is on Livingston's side.
Guard to Avoid:
Kyle Lowry, TOR at MIA ($38) - Lowry has underperformed his $38 price in six consecutive games, averaging a paltry 28.2 fantasy points per game over that span. Going on the road against the Heat's elite defense probably won't do the point guard much good considering they limited him to 12.5 PPG and 6.0 APG in Toronto.
Others to Avoid: C.J. McCollum ($32), Norman Powell ($12)
FORWARD
Joe Johnson, MIA vs. TOR ($18) - Johnson was an offensive force in Games 1 and 2, averaging 29.7 fantasy points per game thanks to 16.5 PPG. He should continue seeing heavy involvement on that end with the series shifting back to Miami, offering a cheaper alternative to the Heat's other top scoring options. Using Johnson at just $18 clears up more room for the top-end players who carry DFS lineups.
Andre Iguodala, GS at POR ($17) - Iguodala stepped up in Game 2 as the Warriors used a fourth quarter comeback to take a 2-0 series lead, living up to his reputation of playing well in close games. He likely will be leaned upon for significant production if the Stephen Curry-less Warriors are to prevail against the desperate Trail Blazers on the road, so another strong performance is likely in the cards for Game 3. His all-around productivity gives the 2015 NBA Finals MVP plenty of ways to outplay his $17 price.
Forward to Avoid:
Luol Deng, MIA vs. TOR ($26) - Deng hasn't been terrible this postseason, but he hasn't stood out, either. He has been held slightly below his season averages with 11.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG through two games and could see a major decline in fantasy points if his unsustainable 3.0 steals per game average from that period drops. Deng's lack of upside makes him a poor investment.
Others to Avoid: DeMar DeRozan ($37), Al-Farouq Aminu($20), Harrison Barnes ($19)
CENTER
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at MIA ($26) - Miami has had no answer to Valanciunas' scoring and rebounding inside, as he has carried the Raptors with averages of 19.5 PPG and 13.0 RPG in this series. The Lithuanian big man is still only the third-most expensive option on Toronto's roster despite leading the team in fantasy points through two games. At $26, the bang for the buck on Valanciunas is incredibly high.
Center to Avoid:
Mason Plumlee, POR vs. GS ($23) - Plumlee has been limited effectively by defensive maestro Andrew Bogut, scoring just seven points in Games 1 and 2 combined. He's still pulling down a healthy number of rebounds, but the Warriors aren't giving the offensively limited center anything on that end. Considering the red-hot Jonas Valanciunas can be had for just $3 more, it's obvious who makes for the better investment.
Others to Avoid: Hassan Whiteside ($40), Bismack Biyombo ($11)
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