This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We've arrived at the last set of daily fantasy-eligible games, the conference finals. With only two games on tap for each slate the rest of the way, we'll do our best to alternate mid-tier and value plays from the limited pool, thereby giving you a chance to roster at least one of the several elite options in action.
Without further ado, here's our look at Monday-Tuesday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball:
GUARD
Kyrie Irving, CLE vs. TOR ($35) - Irving shot 52 percent form the field against Kyle Lowry and the Raptors over two games in the regular season, and checks into Tuesday's matchup on nine full days of rest. Irving will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him against Lowry's stingy defense, but he brings fresh legs and considerable upside at a significant savings over the elite duo of Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry.
Klay Thompson, GS vs. OKC ($41) - If you're seeking to get some potentially explosive Golden State exposure without paying up for Curry, consider Thompson, who averaged 23.7 points on 53 percent shooting versus the Thunder during two regular-season meetings. He also topped 30 points in three of the five games against Portland in the Western Conference semis, scoring 56.0, 41.2 and 40.9 fantasy points in those games. With Curry sure to be busy trying to keep up with Russell Westbrook, Thompson could have some extra opportunity to shine in this series, beginning in Game 1.
Guard to Avoid:
Shaun Livingston, GS vs. OKC ($17)- Livingston has fallen back to his bench role now that Stephen Curry is without limitations. Rotations also tend to get increasingly tighter the deeper you go into the postseason, and Curry figures to be out there a ton against Westbrook and company. Livingston averaged just over 18 minutes against the Thunder in three contests this season, and a similar allotment would likely yield around the 11.9 fantasy points he generated in that same amount of playing time against the Blazers in Game 5 of the WC semis. That output would be acceptable if he was back to his near-minimum price, but he remains too expensive for the potential return.
FORWARD
LeBron James, CLE vs. TOR ($51) - We can't completely steer clear of suggesting at least one obvious play on a two-game slate, and LeBron is a logical candidate. He averaged a solid 23.0 points, 7.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals during three regular-season games against the Raptors while shooting 49 percent from the field. Like Irving, he'll be extremely well-rested and chomping at the bit to get back on the court, while DeMarre Carroll is coming in banged up and likely a bit worn out from an intense seven-game battle versus the Heat.
Enes Kanter, OKC at GS ($19) - We'll continue to roll with one of the best value plays of the postseason in Kanter, whose price remains unchanged from the semifinal round. You're never quite sure how many minutes he'll see, but he undeniably remains an integral part of the Thunder's second unit, and is their most consistent offensive force off the bench. He also played between 21 and 30 minutes in the final three games against the Spurs in the last round, as coach Billy Donovan opted for the Kanter-Steven Adams frontcourt combination at times. With the ability to provide 20-to-30 fantasy points at a bargain price, the Turkish big man makes for a nice cost-saving pivot at the power forward position.
Forward to Avoid:
DeMarre Carroll, TOR at CLE ($15) - Carroll will likely be a bit worse for the wear after a tough series against the Heat that also saw him hurt his wrist and ankle. He's priced reasonably enough, but a matchup against LeBron James only further dims his prospects. With Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan clearly taking the overwhelming majority of scoring responsibility, Carroll becomes an avoid candidate.
CENTER
Steven Adams, OKC at GS ($17) - Adams also remains at the same price as in the last round, despite scoring 22.0 to 34.4 fantasy points in five of the six games. He also hauled in double-digit boards in each of the last seven contests, dating back to the final game of a first-round matchup against the Mavericks. Andrew Bogut is currently listed as questionable for Golden State as well, further clearing a path for Adams to provide a potentially handsome return against a Warriors squad that gave up the seventh-most fantasy points (48.44) and fourth-most rebounds per game (16.2) to the center position this season.
Bismack Biyombo, TOR at CLE ($18) - If Jonas Valanciunas ($28) remains sidelined, Biyombo is the second value play you can consider at center. While you shouldn't expect the same level of production he provided against a Hassan Whiteside-less Heat squad—considering the Cavs allowed the third-fewest fantasy points (42.46) and fewest rebounds (12.13) per game to opposing fives—Biyombo will inevitably see a heap of minutes if he does garner another start in Game 1.
Center to Avoid:
Timofey Mozgov, CLE vs. TOR ($10) - Mozgov won't cost you much at all, but the return is very likely to match his near-invisible price. He didn't even see the court in the last two games versus the Hawks, and played a total of seven seconds in one of the two contests he did participate in. He netted a grand total of 1.2 fantasy points for that series, and 1.5 fantasy points in the last two games he participated in during the quarterfinal round versus the Pistons. With coach Tyronn Lue opting to give Tristan Thompson the bulk of minutes at the five, Mozgov has become a forgotten man and may not even see the court in Game 1.
