This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
If you're looking for some NBA DFS action on Yahoo, you'll actually have to wait until Tuesday to get your final score, as the site has elected to bunch the Monday and Tuesday playoff games together for their featured contests. Since there is no lineup lock Monday, you do have some flexibility with regards to selecting Celtics or Cavaliers in the Tuesday game, but you still have to buy in Monday.
The Celtics embarrassed the Cavs on Sunday, as Marcus Morris and Al Horford helped to stifle LeBron James. Boston's defense forced Cleveland to rely on other offensive options, and simply put, they didn't deliver. At $57, LeBron is still a guy you can't immediately put on the shelf. Despite the shellacking, he'll find a way to adapt and even dominate in spots – but is he too expensive compared to the other available options? I'm inclined to say yes. The beat-down of Cleveland was so complete, I'm going to have difficulty putting a Cavalier in for Game 2.
Meanwhile, the most-anticipated series of the playoffs is about to begin in Houston, with James Harden ($51) and Kevin Durant ($48) headlining the show. If you're going to spend in this range I think Durant Is the more prudent option, but in truth neither one of these guys put up superior numbers against each other in the regular season. I think Harden has to come down a bit more despite his explosiveness as Chris Paul ($35) has shown his ability to take over the game on any given night. The same is true for Durant and the rest of the high-flying Warriors, as Stephen Curry ($39) is ready for an MVP run and comes at a very attractive price. Although you couldn't call it contrarian, opting for Paul and Curry over Harden and Durant isn't a bad call at all.
There's much more available on this slate, however. With the aforementioned players already fleshed out, we'll now highlight two players at each position and also select a player to fade at each spot. When possible, one of the picks will be a low-cost option.
GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS at HOU ($26): Although he struggled in one of his three games against Houston this season, he performed well in the other two contests with respectable stat lines in comparison to minutes played. Houston's defense hasn't been kind to backcourts this season, but if Thompson runs hot, he can be just as deadly as Curry at the perimeter. The drive-and-dish to Thompson is one of Golden State's signature plays, and you'll see plenty of it in this series.
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. CLE ($23): At this price, Brown is an excellent companion guard, especially if you are spending up elsewhere. He's returned from injury into a dominating role far sooner than most expected, and has been effective in siphoning a good deal of production from Terry Rozier, who is priced a bit too high when you consider his recent totals. Brown gets a SG designation on this slate, but he is causing damage all over the court, both offensively and defensively.
Other guard to consider: Marcus Smart, BOS vs. HOU ($19)
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GUARD TO AVOID
George Hill, CLE at BOS ($10): Can I just say, 'every guard in Cleveland'? Guys like Kyle Korver, Hill and Jordan Clarkson are all super cheap. There's no question that they all need to step up, but it will likely be more of a community effort as opposed to a single standout performance. With so many plentiful options and sensible spend-down plays at forward, you're better off avoiding the Cleveland backcourt altogether.
FORWARD
Al Horford, BOS vs. CLE ($30): With so many consistent floors to choose from, it's hard to pick just one Celtic tonight, but I will give Horford the highlight due to his bring one of the most reliable sources of production in the playoffs so far. He's not going to go off with 50 YFP, but he seems to always find a way to eclipse 30 YFP and often more. He only played 27 minutes in the Game 1 blowout, which was his second-lowest minutes total of the entire playoffs, but I wouldn't be too concerned about that when selecting Horford.
P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. GS ($12): I love how the Rockets are utilizing Tucker and now that he's starting at the four, I think the fast pace of this game will play into his strengths. He's been particularly effective in transition, as he can get down the floor a bit more swiftly than Clint Capela, and while Golden State is no slouch against the position defensively, Tucker will find a way to put up a decent stat line.
Other forwards to consider: Rather than pinpoint one player, I just really like Boston's options at this spot. There's a lot to choose from, and it's likely someone like Jayson Tatum ($26) or Marcus Morris ($19) will end up in a utility spot for me.
FORWARD TO AVOID
Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. GS ($12): Rather than hate on the obvious Cavalier options, I will focus on Ariza, who has a lackluster history against Golden State and hasn't been particularly assertive in the playoffs. He's only eclipsed 20 YFP four times this postseason, and you simply can't afford to go cheap with him.
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CENTER
Draymond Green, GS at HOU ($35): I love how they've wised up and just made it official with Green as the obvious choice at the five. Sliding over Andre Iguodala and Durant upon Curry's return was truly a magic elixir for anything that might have ailed this squad. Of course, with Green you might have to fade an ejection or two, but he loves playing against the Rockets, and is arguably one of the most effective players against their tough defense.
Kevin Love, CLE at BOS ($30): OK, he's not exactly cheap, but with people running away from Cleveland in droves, I like Love as an under-owned guy over going with a higher-owned target like Capela. You're not getting much of a discount over Green or Capela, but it's enough to make a difference, and I think if anyone has a way to help Cleveland steal a win, it's Love by putting up a good total.
CENTER TO AVOID
Zaza Pachulia, GS at HOU ($10): Draymond is the guy at the five now. Don't even look at anyone else. In fact, don't even think about playing someone other than Capela, Green or Love here. Just don't do it. You'll thank me later.
