This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA action shifts to the underdogs' arenas for the weekend, as both conference finals play Game 3 next. While Toronto needs a marked increase in play to keep pace with the surging Cavaliers, Oklahoma City will look to rebound from a blowout loss after proving capable of defeating the Warriors.
GUARD
Kyle Lowry, TOR at CLE ($41) - Lowry has been incredibly ineffective in this series, but the All-Star point guard is unlikely to keep playing this poorly now that he's back home. He averaged 59.2 fantasy points per game in his last two appearances at the Air Canada Centre against a Miami team that ranks similarly to the Cavaliers defensively, and even three fourths of that productivity would be enough to provide good value at $41. Most will steer clear of Lowry after his pair of duds in Cleveland, but the contrarian play could pay major dividends.
Andre Iguodala, GS at OKC ($17) - Iguodala is a pivotal piece of Golden State's small-ball approach, and should continue to be a key contributor in its fascinating battle against the Thunder's bigger lineup. The veteran wing is averaging 24.3 fantasy points in this series after topping that mark only three times in the playoffs coming in, but an increase in effectiveness later in the postseason is only natural for the 2015 NBA Finals MVP. He'll continue to get plenty of run as the primary option guarding Kevin Durant, and Iguodala's all-around ability should make it easy for him to live up to his modest price.
Guard to Avoid:
J.R. Smith, CLE at TOR ($17) - After raining 3-pointers all over the Hawks early in the second round, Smith has been held in check the last four games. Cleveland has been leaning on its big three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for the bulk of its offensive production, leaving the suddenly cold fourth option limited to just 6.5 PPG and 15.0 fantasy points per game since Game 3 against Atlanta. That usage pattern has yielded tremendous success, so don't expect much deviation from it until it stops working.
Others to Avoid: Stephen Curry ($54), DeMar DeRozan ($35)
FORWARD
Serge Ibaka, OKC vs. GS ($23) - Ibaka joined most of his teammates in underperforming in Game 2 but is still showing signs of turning things around after slumping earlier in the playoffs. He has helped enforce the Thunder's rebounding edge with 29 boards in his last three, and the versatile forward's ability to simultaneously stretch the floor and block shots on the other end enables him to consistently accrue value throughout the course of the game.
Patrick Patterson, TOR vs. CLE ($14) - Patterson has outplayed his price in both games this series despite averaging a measly 7.0 PPG. His 3-point prowess will be necessary for Toronto to keep pace with Cleveland's barrage from behind the arc, so expect the cheap stretch four to get more involved as this series unfolds. Game 3 is basically a must win for the Raptors, meaning they'll pull out all the stops to stay competitive. Those efforts should include more looks for Patterson.
Forward to Avoid:
Kevin Love, CLE at TOR ($34) - Love has played all right offensively, but his lack of rebounding has limited the big man's value in this series. He's had plenty of opportunities to hit the glass with the Raptors firing bricks, so don't expect an increase now that they're likely to make more shots playing at home.
Others to Avoid: Enes Kanter ($19), DeMarre Carroll ($16)
CENTER
Steven Adams, OKC vs. GS ($19) - Adams continues to be a rebounding machine, pulling down double-digit boards in each of the last nine games. Expect him to get to that mark again in what figures to be another fast-paced game against a Warriors team more than happy to add extra possessions with quick shots. At just $19, the New Zealander's rebounding stats alone make him well worth the money.
Center to Avoid:
Bismack Biyombo, TOR vs. CLE ($19) - The way Steven Adams has played for the same price, it makes little sense to play Biyombo. His lack of offensive instincts has been exposed by the Cavaliers, and the Jonas Valanciunas fill-in hasn't rebounded well enough to provide value despite his lack of scoring.
Others to Avoid: Andrew Bogut ($13)
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