This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With the conference semifinals ready to kick off, we have a whole new set of matchups to examine. The games we have on this Monday slate are the Spurs-Rockets and Cavaliers-Raptors matchups. What needs to be considered in these games are the defenses, as the only good defense on this schedule is that of San Antonio. For that reason, we're going to eliminate a quarter of the field and fade all Houston players. The only reliable option on the Rockets is James Harden, as he's a nice safety net if you have some extra salary to splurge. In fact, there was only one player on the Rockets who surpassed 30 fantasy points in the four matchups against San Antonio, aside from Harden.
Tony Parker, SAN vs. HOU ($5,000): Now that it's playoff time, Parker has re-emerged as a legitimate fantasy option. In fact, Parker scored at least 20 fantasy points in five of the six games against Memphis in Round 1, while dropping at least 34 fantasy points in two of his last three outings. His minutes are what's making him so much reliable right now, as he averaged 33.0 per contest in that three-game stretch. That damage came against a solid Grizzlies defense, so success should come much easier against a Rockets team that ranked 26th in total defense throughout the regular season.
Norman Powell, TOR at CLE ($4,300): Powell was inserted into the starting five for the final three games of the Milwaukee series and he played some of the best ball of his career. He actually averaged 23.5 fantasy points in the final four games of that series, which is incredible value for a $4,300 player. Powell's minutes seem to be reliable in this new role too, playing at least 31 minutes in three straight games. Not to mention, this is a Cleveland defense who allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.
J.R. Smith, CLE vs. TOR ($3,600): Smith is too talented and has too big of a role to be priced this cheaply. While his numbers are downright ugly, the fact that he's been asked to cover DeMar DeRozan makes him a near guarantee for 30 minutes per game in this series. That seems like his floor, as Smith averaged 32 minutes per game across his last 13 games. Empty minutes are hard to bank on, but Smith is the type of player who can get hot from three and that alone makes him attractive. He wouldn't even be on the radar if his price were higher, but it's tough to pass on a guy who costs $3,600 while looking at a possible 35 minutes of action.
Kawhi Leonard, SAN vs. HOU ($11,000): Leonard has been incredible all season, but he's been especially good against the Rockets. In fact, Leonard is averaging 28.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.0 blocks in four games against them this season. That should come as no surprise either, with Houston allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season.
Serge Ibaka, TOR at CLE ($6,300): Ibaka has really thrived in these playoffs, as it's clear he plays much better with Kyle Lowry in the lineup. Not only did he surpass 24 fantasy points in five of the six games against Milwaukee, he scored at least 36 fantasy points in half of those games. Ibaka did that damage while regularly playing just 26 minutes per game, so look for him to see an increase in playing time in this critical series. He also had success in his one game against Cleveland this season, dropping 29 fantasy points in limited minutes.
David Lee, SAN vs. HOU ($3,400): Lee has started the last two games for San Antonio, as he's become a nice value pick at just $3,400. The former all-star is averaging over 19 fantasy points across his last three games, which is all you can ask for from a player priced so cheaply. This is the sort of matchup in which Lee can thrive, as Houston is the type of team that plays small-ball, which caters to an undersized player like Lee.
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. TOR ($5,500): I want to preface this by saying that the center selection on this slate is downright ugly. Clint Capela is actually the highest-priced center at $6,000, but Thompson makes for a far better option with their respective matchups. Capela has to face a Spurs defense that ranks top-three across the board, while Thompson faces a weak Toronto frontcourt. He's had some success against the Raptors as well, averaging 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in four games against them this season.
Pau Gasol, SAN vs. HOU ($4,800): It's tough to spot a cheap center on this slate, but Gasol makes for a nice pivot. While he did struggle against a stingy Memphis defense in the last round of the playoffs, he should have much more success against this Houston squad. The Rockets are actually allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. Gasol has played well against them, averaging 8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2,5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game in four matchups. He did all that damage in just 22 minutes per game, so Gasol has much higher upside if he can flirt with 30 minutes.
