This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has two games on the schedule Thursday with the Celtics trying to take a 2-0 series lead at home against the Sixers while the Cavaliers try to steal a second win on the road against the Raptors before returning home in their series. Here are some players to target and avoid as you hopefully end the night with a winning Yahoo entry as well.
GUARDS
Terry Rozier, BOS vs. PHI ($31): Rozier starred in Game 1, scoring 54.6 Yahoo points. Not only did he score 29 points, but he also provided eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. He has logged at least 35 minutes in six of eight games in the playoffs so far and will continue to get plenty of playing time with Kyrie Irving (knee) sidelined. At this reasonable price, Rozier is hard to pass up.
Marcus Smart, BOS vs. PHI ($17): Smart stepped into the starting lineup in Game 1 for Jaylen Brown (hamstring), scoring 28.1 Yahoo points in 32 minutes. He didn't provide much offensively, but chipped in nine assists and one steal. There was some hope that Brown would return Thursday, but he's now listed as doubtful. Smart will likely start in his place again if he can't play, but could still provide value in a bench role even if Brown does take the floor.
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Guard to Avoid
George Hill, CLE at TOR ($10): The Cavaliers moved Hill into the starting lineup for Game 1 and although he played 28 minutes, he only scored 11.5 Yahoo points. LeBron James is going to have the ball in his hands most of the time and Hill is not a great scorer, so his value is limited at best. If you're looking for a cheap value play with upside, look elsewhere.
FORWARDS
LeBron James, CLE at TOR ($58): James carried the Cavaliers to a big win in Game 1, recording a triple-double on his way to 66.7 Yahoo points. In eight playoff games so far, James has two triple-doubles and four double-doubles. He's playing a ton of minutes with a high usage rate, making him someone to target even at this expensive price.
Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. PHI ($26): Brown was injured and limited to 16 minutes in Game 7 against the Bucks, leaving Tatum to log 39 minutes. With Brown out Monday, Tatum played 40 minutes. Tatum scored at least 33.6 Yahoo points in both contests and will have a significant boost in value again Thursday is Brown can't play.
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Forward to Avoid
Robert Covington, PHI at BOS ($24): Covington did not play well in four games during the regular season against the Celtics, averaging 8.3 points and three rebounds per contest. He struggled mightily from the field, shooting only 33.3%. Game 1 brought much of the same with Covington shooting 0-for-6 on his way to 15.9 Yahoo points. At this price, he might not be worth the risk.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI at BOS ($40): Embiid played well despite the Sixers losing Game 1, finishing with 54.1 Yahoo points. He scored 31 points in the game, often overmatching Aron Baynes in the process. The Celtics are undersized up front, which helped Embiid grab 13 rebounds. He's going to be a threat for a double-double with plenty of points again Thursday, so don't be afraid to pay up to get him into your lineup.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. CLE ($21): Valanciunas destroyed the Cavaliers in Game 1, scoring 21 points to go along with 21 rebounds. Although the game did go into overtime, Valanciunas played 34 minutes. He has now logged at least 31 minutes in each of the last games, scoring at least 36.4 Yahoo points in all three contests. If he's going to get that much playing time again Thursday, he'll have an excellent opportunity to out produce this price point.
Center to Avoid
Kevin Love, CLE at TOR ($23): Love is really struggling in the playoffs, scoring 26.7 Yahoo points or fewer in seven of eight games. He's been ice cold from the field, shooting just 31.9%. He doesn't provide much in the way of assists or defensive stats, so his value is limited if he's not scoring. With Valanciunas priced two dollars cheaper, he makes a lot more sense than taking a chance on Love coming out of his slump in Game 2.
