This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
A two-game slate brings some value with Kawhi Leonard likely out for the Spurs, as well as a well-rested Cavs team against a Celtics squad that went through the ringer versus the Wizards.
GUARD
Kyrie Irving CLE at BOS ($40): Irving averaged 25.5 points, 6.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game against the Celtics in four regular-season starts, and he has a team-high 32.8 percent usage rate in the postseason. The Celtics come into Game 1 somewhat spent after a grueling seven-game battle with the Wizards, while the Cavs will be on 10 days rest. Additionally, Irving has already scored at least 40 fantasy points on four occasions this postseason, as well as another over 50.
Danny Green, SA at GS ($11): Green figures to have some increased offensive responsibility with Kawhi Leonard expected to be out for Game 2, making him a particularly strong value at his price. He's shown the ability to step it up when necessary during the postseason, scoring between 22.6 and 28.7 fantasy points in three games of the conference semifinals against the Rockets.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS vs. SA ($30): Thompson's price is on the high side for a player who's scored between 9.2 and 24.4 fantasy points in the last three games, and fewer than 30 in four other games during the playoffs as well. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are both sporting considerably high usage in the postseason (28.7 and 29.0 percent, respectively), and Draymond Green has also upped his involvement, likely leaving Thompson as a lower option again in Game 2.
FORWARD
Kevin Durant, GS vs. SA ($48): If you need to save some cash and Kawhi Leonard is ruled out, then LaMarcus Aldridge ($31) makes for an excellent play. However, Durant is the choice if you're spending up (and especially if Leonard is out), checking in $11 cheaper than LeBron James and with just as much upside. He scored 54.0 fantasy points in Game 1, and went over 50 in two of the final three games against the Jazz.
Jonathon Simmons, SA at GS ($10): Given Leonard's expected absence, Simmons becomes a particularly appealing value play. He scored between 23.4 and 25.5 fantasy points in three straight games to wrap up the Rockets series and is sporting a 25.3 percent usage rate during the postseason without Leonard on the floor. He should see plenty of run in his expanded role Tuesday, likely along the lines of the 32 minutes he saw in Game 6 of the conference semifinals when Leonard was out.
Forward to Avoid
Jae Crowder, BOS vs. CLE ($23): Crowder is likely to take a back seat to Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Al Horford scoring-wise, and he will likely have his hands full guarding LeBron James. The Cavs were also stingy against small forwards, checking in as a top-10 unit in terms of fantasy points allowed per game (43.8) to the position.
CENTER
Al Horford, BOS vs. CLE ($29): Horford has averaged 16.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 34.2 minutes per game during the postseason. He naturally projects to play a major role in the conference finals, and will face a Cavs team that closed out the regular season giving up 55.0 fantasy points per game to centers over the last five games.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at BOS ($16): Thompson draws a solid matchup against Boston, a team he averaged 11.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game against in three appearances during the regular season. The Celtics also gave up the eighth-most fantasy points per game (48.8) to centers during the season, and Thompson scored between 21.7 and 34.8 fantasy points in five of the last six postseason games.
Center to Avoid
Dewayne Dedmon, SA at GS ($10): No center above minimum price is worth fading, as they all should have a chance to return solid value. Dedmon is a default avoid candidate, as he's playing fewer than 10 minutes in most games and has scored single-digit fantasy points in all but three of the Spurs' 12 playoff games.
