This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The next NBA slate will feature a pair of home teams desperate to stave off elimination, with the Warriors getting their chance in Game 5 on Thursday and the Raptors following in their Game 6 on Friday. All four teams remaining have proven to have plenty of valuable fantasy commodities, but the following players in particular stand out as top contributors from a value perspective.
GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS vs.OKC ($39) - While Thompson hasn't been the model of consistency this postseason, he did manage at least 35.6 fantasy points in six consecutive home games prior to Game 2 against the Thunder. The sharpshooter will likely have to carry a heavy scoring load with fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry struggling, but anyone who watched the third quarter of Game 4 knows he's more than capable. That outburst netted Thompson 42.5 fantasy points Tuesday despite a quiet rest of the night, so he could easily top that mark with a more balanced effort or another extended hot streak.
J.R. Smith, CLE at TOR ($17) - Smith has caught fire from deep again the last three games, connecting on 10 3-pointers en route to 22.7 fantasy points per game. The streaky shooter should be inserted back into lineups, especially since he received more than 30 minutes in two of the last three games, while dipping to 29 only due to a Game 6 blowout.
Guard to Avoid:
Stephen Curry, GS vs. OKC ($54) - Curry has struggled massively from the field over the last two games, shooting a combined 13 for 37 and just 5 for 21 on 3-pointers. He's having trouble creating space against the Thunder's quick and lanky personnel, and a change of venue is unlikely to remedy the situation. Given the high uncertainty in the back-to-back MVP's ability to turn things around, this is about as poor a time as ever to invest $54 in him.
Others to Avoid: Kyrie Irving ($36), Shaun Livingston ($11)
FORWARD
Kevin Durant, OKC at GS ($51) - Durant thrived against the Warriors with averages of 36.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG and 6.3 APG in the regular season, so his 28.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 2.5 APG against them through four playoff meetings shouldn't come as a surprise. The convincing nature of Oklahoma City's last two victories has limited the need for Durant's heroics in the second half, but he'll likely be called upon to be fully engaged all the way up to the final buzzer if the Thunder hope to eliminate the defending champs in Game 5. Golden State has tried a multitude of options against the 2014 MVP, but even 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala has been overmatched. As long as teammate Russell Westbrook doesn't hijack the offense completely, Durant will continue to get his.
Serge Ibaka, OKC at GS ($23) - Ibaka has surged back to fantasy relevance over the last five games, topping 26.9 fantasy points four times thanks in part to an 8.8 RPG average. His shot-blocking ability is crucial to the Thunder's defensive scheme against the small-ball Warriors, so don't expect him to leave the floor much as they look to close out the series on the road. More minutes have meant more production for Ibaka this series, and that formula is unlikely to change now.
Forward to Avoid:
Draymond Green, GS vs. OKC ($45) - Green might as well have been suspended for Game 4, because his impact on the contest was negligible at best. The loud-mouthed forward has put forth back-to-back embarrassing efforts in which he totaled just 12 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and 10 turnovers. He hasn't backed up his talk in a while with less than 40.0 fantasy points in five straight games, and that's unlikely to change coming off a pair of performances like that.
Others to Avoid: Kevin Love ($32), Enes Kanter($19), Harrison Barnes ($18), Patrick Patterson ($14)
CENTER
Andrew Bogut, GS vs. OKC ($13) - Look for Bogut to play more in Game 5, as he was the only Warrior to finish with a positive plus/minus in Game 4. His size is useful in counteracting the Thunder's huge lineups, and coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the Australian's strong rebounding and passing ability after Tuesday's loss. If ever there was a time for Bogut to justify his spot as the third-highest paid player on the Warriors, it would be now.
Center to Avoid:
Bismack Biyombo, TOR vs. CLE ($21) - While Biyombo rebounded admirably in Games 3 and 4, he has totaled just 13 boards in the other three games in this series. The downside if he has a clunker on the glass is massive, as the Congolese big man is chipping in just 6.8 PPG against the Cavaliers. Add in the possibility that former starter Jonas Valanciunas will syphon off minutes now that he's healthy, and Biyombo's appeal drops even further.
Others to Avoid: Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. CLE ($24)
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