This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The only thing anyone is going to be talking about Monday is whether Stephen Curry will play in Game 2 against the Rockets. He twisted his ankle a bit during Game 1's blowout win and coach Steve Kerr wasn't about to risk the MVP of the league in a series the Warriors should win without him. If Curry is out Monday, which looks more and more likely, then that drastically changes the landscape of daily fantasy. It instantly moves Klay Thompson ($34) into an almost must-use role considering how cheap he will be relative to his expected output. It also causes a trickledown effect throughout the Warriors' lineup, giving backup guards like Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa more minutes/touches.
GUARD
Shaun Livingston, GS vs. HOU ($10) - It looks like the Warriors will go Game 2 without Stephen Curry, so Livingston figures to slide into the starting lineup. He scored only nine points in 24 minutes in Game 1, matching fellow reserve guard Leandro Barbosa (nine points in 15 minutes). Livingston isn't a threat to score much but can definitely rack up assists and rebounds, plus he should play about 30 minutes. There's a good chance Livingston is targeted heavily in lineups, but it would be foolish to avoid him in cash games.
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. IND ($36) - A lot of the lineup decisions Monday will be based off Stephen Curry's availability. Here is no different as Lowry is one of four elite options at guard and becomes intriguing for tournament use. Lowry was ice cold Saturday in Game 1, shooting 3 of 13 from the field and 1 of 7 from downtown. He also turned the ball over six times. During the regular season, Lowry averaged 23.7 points in three games against Indiana, so don't expect another uninspired performance.
Guard to Avoid:
Patrick Beverley, HOU at GS ($18) - Obviously, with three games there aren't many players to choose from, but if you have to fade any team Monday, make it the Rockets. Not even James Harden was effective against the Warriors, and even if Stephen Curry sits, Golden State doesn't lose anything on defense. You would think Beverley would compile more minutes as Houston's only real option at point guard, but he only played 20 in Game 1. There are already fewer points to go around in the playoffs, so why invest in a point guard who can't score and is essentially dependant on steals to be worth using?
FOWARD
Harrison Barnes, GS vs. HOU ($17) - This sounds like a broken record, but it can't be stressed enough how much Stephen Curry's status impacts Monday's contests. Not only would Thompson be in store for more shots, so would Barnes, who went on a tear to finish the regular season. He shot poorly Saturday with just seven points (3-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt), but played 32 minutes and was grabbed seven boards. Barnes isn't even close to the scorer Thompson is, but he's half the price and will have to assume Thompson's role in the lineup should Curry not play.
Paul George, IND at TOR ($44) - After watching Game 1 -- and pretty much the entire regular season -- it's clear that the Pacers plan on running their offense through George as much as possible. That translated into 33 points in Saturday's win, and until the Raptors show they can contain George, why change a thing? Maybe if DeMarre Carroll hadn't missed virtually the entire regular season and was healthy enough to play solid defense, but that clearly isn't going to happen. Of the few elite options at forward, George makes the most sense in cash game lineups and as an anchor in tournaments.
Forward to Avoid:
Draymond Green, GS vs. HOU ($41) - This is a risky fade, but it could pay dividends. Again, if Stephen Curry is out we shouldn't expect the Warriors offense to run as smoothly as it normally would, which hurts Green. He'll likely lose easy assists, making it difficult for him to throw up his usual triple-double stat line. The Rockets' defensive assignment instantly gets easier and Green isn't really a threat to go off for 30-plus points anyway, so why pay the hefty price? Green is also practically the only option at power forward who is capable of posting big fantasy numbers, so his ownership percentage has a chance to be the highest on the night.
CENTER
Ian Mahinmi, IND at TOR ($15) - There is very little to work with at center with the highest priced big man Dwight Howard ($28). Mahinmi got into some foul trouble in Game 1 and wasn't able to recover, but that isn't a trend that will continue if Lowry and DeMar DeRozan find their shots. When given enough playing time, Mahinmi has proven this season that he can be a productive fantasy center. He's affordable, has a decent ceiling and while his floor may be a cause for concern Mahinmi is worth rolling the dice on in tournaments.
Center to Avoid:
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. IND ($22) - After his performance in Game 1 everybody and their mom will be on Valanciunas for Monday's shallow slate. He was a beast on the glass, ripping down 19 rebounds -- largely due to Mahinmi's previously mentioned foul trouble. It would be foolish to think Valanciunas will collect double-digit offensive boards in a second straight game and the Raptors don't rely on him for offense unless their top scorers are struggling -- which they did Saturday. Expect high ownership numbers, and even though Valanciunas is probably the safest pick at center, take the risk and live a little by fading him out of tournaments.
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