This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We've got two more exciting playoff games in the NBA on Friday with the Pelicans looking to get their first win of the series against the Warriors and the Jazz trying to take a 2-1 lead over the Rockets as their series shifts to Utah. All four of these teams have some explosive offensive players, leaving some great opportunities for Yahoo DFS. Here are some players to target and avoid as you craft your entry.
GUARDS
Rajon Rondo, NO vs. GS ($32): Rondo was excellent despite the Pelicans losing again in Game 2, scoring 56.4 Yahoo points. It marks the third time in six playoff games this season that Rondo has scored at least 42.1 Yahoo points and he has not scored fewer than 35.5 in any of those contests. He may not score 22 points like he did in Game 2, but he should be able to contribute enough across the board to warrant this price.
Alec Burks, UTA vs. HOU ($12): The Jazz pulled out a big win on the road in Game 2 and Burks was an important part of their success, scoring 17 points off the bench. He scored 33.8 Yahoo points in the game overall and has likely earned himself more playing time Friday. He won't cost much, so he might be worth the risk if you are looking for a cheap guard in tournament.
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Guard to Avoid
Quinn Cook, GS at NO ($12): Cook stepped up when the Warriors were decimated by injuries at one point during the regular season and helped a lot of people win money in DFS. However, with the Warriors as healthy as they have been in a long time, Cook did not play at all in Game 2. Even if he does see action on Friday, it would likely be in very limited minutes, thereby making him someone to stay away from for your lineup.
FORWARDS
Draymond Green, GS at NO ($32): Green is having a spectacular series through two games. He provided a triple-double and 62.5 Yahoo points in Game 1, then fell one rebound shy of another triple-double while scoring 56.8 Yahoo points in Game 2. He's also chipped in defensively with four steals and four blocks in the series. He may not get the spotlight he deserves playing with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, but don't sleep on him Friday.
Jae Crowder, UTA vs. HOU ($17):With Ricky Rubio (hamstring) out and the Rockets using a lot of small lineups, Crowder has played at least 33 minutes in both of the first two games of this series. He's provided excellent value, scoring at least 27.5 Yahoo points in both contests. He scored at least 24.9 Yahoo points in three of the six games in the first round against the Thunder, so he's a viable option to consider again for Game 3.
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Forward to Avoid
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. HOU ($17): Favors is someone to avoid entirely for this series. It's not a good matchup for him with the Rockets liking to play small, which limited Favors to only 21 minutes in Game 2. He's scored 21.1 Yahoo points or fewer in both games against the Rockets, so there really isn't much upside here.
CENTERS
Anthony Davis, NO vs. GS ($58): Davis was excellent as the Pelicans tried to pull out a win on the road in Game 2, scoring 63.5 Yahoo points. He's a walking double-double with his high usage rate and also provides a ton of value defensively. He played 43 minutes in Game 2 and will continue to get big minutes throughout this series, giving him an even higher ceiling in DFS.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. GS ($28): Gobert rebounded from a quiet performance in Game 1, scoring 38.8 Yahoo points Tuesday. He only scored 15 points, but racked up 14 rebounds and three blocks. He has failed to score fewer than 30 Yahoo points only twice in these playoffs and should have a high floor again Friday based on his playing time.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, HOU at UTA ($33): Capela certainly hasn't struggled in this series, scoring at least 36.9 Yahoo points in both contests. This is more about his price tag than anything else. He has a similar upside as Gobert does, who is priced five dollars cheaper. That could be important savings as you create the rest of your entry, so passing on Capela might end up being the correct move.
