This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The two-game weekend slate kicks off with Warriors-Spurs at 9:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday and concludes with Sunday's Celtics-Cavs showdown. Now that we've had two games to get a feel for each series, these guys stand out as the best bets to outplay their valuations.
GUARD
Dejounte Murray, SA vs. GS ($10): Murray has averaged 31.4 fantasy points per game in the last two contests without Kawhi Leonard (ankle), but the rookie point guard still has value at the minimum price even if Leonard returns. He has shown superior ability to contribute on the glass (6.0 RPG) and dish out dimes (4.3 APG) over the past three games than $19 alternative Patty Mills, and his ability to make Stephen Curry exert more energy on defense should earn Murray more run in this must-win Game 3. Using Murray maximizes buying power for the rest of your lineup while offering as much potential as anyone in San Antonio's backcourt.
Stephen Curry, GS at SA ($47): San Antonio's depleted point guard rotation has had no answer for the hot-shooting Curry, who has already connected on 13 3-pointers in this series en route to 56.7 fantasy points per game. With Kevin Durant likely to be blanketed by either a returning Leonard or the defensively-proficient Jonathan Simmons, and Klay Thompson struggling to the tune of 8.5 points per game in Games 1 and 2, the onus to lead the offense should once again be on the unanimous 2016 MVP. Curry's three best fantasy performances of the first two rounds came on the road, so it's safe to expect another strong effort here in San Antonio.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS at SA ($28): Thompson is priced at $28, but he has come up short of 25.0 fantasy points in eight of 10 games this postseason, averaging just 23.5 per outing. His lack of contributions outside points and 3-pointers make him a one-dimensional asset, which is why averaging 14.6 PPG on 38.8 percent from the field has tanked his value. Finding his offensive form won't be easy on the road against a defense that allowed the second-fewest points and second-lowest field goal percentage during the regular season.
FORWARD
Kevin Love, CLE vs. BOS ($36): Boston's rebounding problems have been a bugaboo throughout the playoffs, and those struggles on the glass are finally catching up to the Celtics in what has been a lopsided series. Love pulled down 12 boards in each of their first two meetings while offering a scoring punch reminiscent of his Minnesota days with averages of 26.5 PPG and 5.0 made 3-pointers per contest. His combination of skill set and opponent should allow Love to continue being the most productive Cavalier not named LeBron James, and the $23 savings that come with using him over James are enough to make him the top value play on his team.
Jonathon Simmons, SA vs. GS ($13): Like Murray, Simmons would provide more value if Leonard sits, but he makes for a strong play regardless of the star's status. Simmons averaged 27.8 fantasy points per game in the two Leonard sat and 19.1 fantasy points per contest in the past five games with Kawhi in the lineup. The former D-Leaguer's athleticism and flexibility on defense allows him to guard any of Golden State's perimeter threats, which is why he can be expected to play at least 26 minutes for the fifth straight contest. Given how well the expensive elite performers have been playing, cheap-yet-effective guys like Simmons are paramount to building a winning lineup regardless of format.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Durant, GS at SA ($48): Durant offers every bit as much upside as his similarly priced point guard teammate, but he also comes with a significantly lower floor if these playoffs are any indication. While Curry has come up short of 40.0 fantasy points just twice this postseason and finished over 36.0 in all 10 appearances, Durant has found himself below 34.0 in four of eight appearances, including 23.9 in Game 2. A desperate Spurs team will likely do its best to buckle down on both superstars, and it's clear that Durant's fantasy value is easier to limit.
CENTER
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. BOS ($19): Thompson was second on his team to Love in rebounding this season, and there's plenty of room for both to rack up boards against a Celtics team that sports a league-worst minus-6.8 rebounding differential in the playoffs after finishing the regular season 27th at minus-2.5. While the energetic big man was quiet in Game 2 after exploding for 36.8 fantasy points in the series opener, it was encouraging to see him play over 25 minutes even with the Cavaliers leading by 40-plus points for the whole second half. If his Game 3 playing time rises back up to the 34 minutes he saw in Game 1, it's safe to expect Thompson to go back to ravaging Boston on the glass.
Dewayne Dedmon, SA vs. GS ($10): The center position has been largely an afterthought on three of the four remaining teams, so it's understandable if fantasy owners want to forgo spending at the position and maximize buying power elsewhere. Dedmon offers maximum savings at the minimum price, and a repeat of his 18.8 fantasy points in 20 minutes during Game 2 would leave those who play him happy. However, his minus-24 plus-minus in that contest could leave coach Gregg Popovich hesitant to give him that much run again.
Center to Avoid
Pau Gasol, SA vs. GS ($17): Gasol has lost a step at age 36, and his lack of mobility on defense is why Popovich has trusted him with just 16 minutes per game in this series. San Antonio has been outscored by eight points during the Spaniard's time on the floor, and Golden State has the combination of shooting and ball movement to continue exploiting his defensive shortcomings. With Tristan Thompson getting significantly more run against an inferior opponent and available for just $2 more, it's hard to justify picking Gasol over him.
