This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With the Clippers pulling out an upset win in Game 5 against the Warriors, we still have two first round series left in the NBA. Yahoo will spread out the DFS action across Thursday's Game 6 between the Nuggets and Spurs and Friday's Game 6 between the Warriors and Clippers, so let's highlight some players to target and avoid for your entry.
GUARDS
Jamal Murray, DEN at SA ($26): Outside of a bad performance in Game 3, Murray is having a stellar series. He only shot 43.7 percent from the field during the regular season, but he's shot 46.1 percent in this series, which includes 39.3 percent from behind the arc. After scoring at least 34.4 Yahoo points in four of five games, he's an excellent option who also won't destroy your budget.
Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. GS ($19): It might not always be pretty with Beverley, but he's going to give maximum effort whenever he steps on the floor. He's more than just a terror on the defensive end and has really shined by scoring 42.5 and 41.8 Yahoo points, respectively, over the last two games. With the Clippers looking to stave off elimination at home, he should be amped up once again. While his last two performances were best-case-scenario, he can provide value at this price even if his stats experience some regression.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS at LAC ($24): Thompson had another strong offensive showing in Game 5, shooting 9-for-20 from the field on his way to 22 points. However, he only contributed three rebounds and two assists to go along with it. Even though he can continue to be a difference maker in the scoring column for the Warriors, it's hard to justify paying this much for him when he's averaging two rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.6 steals in this series.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS at LAC ($42): With DeMarcus Cousins (quadriceps) out, it's been the Durant show for the Warriors. He scored a whopping 45 points in Game 5 and has now scored at least 50.4 Yahoo points in three straight games. He averaged 23.3 shot attempts per game during that stretch, which is huge considering he shot 52.1 percent from the field during the regular season.
JaMychal Green, LAC vs. GS ($10): Ivica Zubac got off to such a horrible start in this series that Green moved into the starting lineup for Game 4. Zubac hasn't even touched the floor the last two games, so expect Green to start once again Friday. His playing time is limited with Montrezl Harrell logging the bulk of the minutes at center, but Green did score 22.8 Yahoo points in Game 5. If he can duplicate that kind of production, he's an asset at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Rudy Gay, SA vs. DEN ($16): Gay is having a rough series. He shot a career-high 50.4 percent from the field during the regular season, but the Nuggets have held him to 31 percent shooting in this series. Considering he's only averaging 8.4 shot attempts per game, that doesn't leave him with much scoring upside. He provides very little in the way of assists and defensive stats, as well, so keep him out of your entry.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at SA ($43): Jokic has been his reliable self in the playoffs, averaging 19.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, nine assists and 1.2 steals. Trying to close out the series in San Antonio will be no easy task, so at least this doesn't project to be a lopsided score like we saw in Game 5. While expensive, his floor is among the highest of anyone for this slate.
Andrew Bogut, GS at LAC ($12): If you decide to spend the majority of your budget at guard and forward, rolling with Bogut is the play to make at center. His 38.3 Yahoo points in Game 3 was an anomaly, but he still scored 22 and 18 Yahoo points, respectively, in the last two contests. He's locked into a starting role, so he is appealing at such a cheap price.
Center to Avoid
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. DEN ($32): Aldridge is by no means having a bad series with averages of 19.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and one steal. However, he doesn't provide many assists, so he surpassed 40 Yahoo points in a game just one time. Montrezl Harrell ($25) has similar upside at a significantly cheaper price, so he might be the better option to deploy if you want to avoid spending the big bucks for Jokic while also staying away from the limited ceiling of Bogut.
