This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The conference finals have been disappointing from a competitive standpoint, but it's clear the Warriors and Cavaliers are on a mission. Both teams are undefeated in these playoffs and look poised to get to the finals with a perfect 12-0 record. What these results have really done is limit the production of their counterparts. That's why it makes it imperative to ride the chalk, with LeBron James being a must-play after getting himself into the Russell Westbrook stratosphere of fantasy production.
GUARD
Stephen Curry, GS at SAN ($47): Curry is averaging 51 fantasy points per game during the series, as he continues to abuse the Spurs. What's really made him special is his usage, as he is tied for the team lead in usage rate at just above 28. The San Antonio defense isn't as scary as it was in the regular season either, as they have the worst defensive rating in the postseason among the remaining teams.
Marcus Smart, BOS at CLE ($16): With Isaiah Thomas ruled out for the remainder of the postseason, Smart has found himself as the de facto point guard. His consistency has been solid, scoring at least 21 fantasy points in 22 of his last 26 games. It's the fact that Thomas is missing this game that really makes Smart an intriguing option, as he should be looking at 35 minutes while handling the ball on most possessions.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS at SAN ($27): Thompson is averaging fewer than 25 fantasy points per game in his five meetings against the Spurs this season. His upside is equally as concerning, as he's yet to score more than 28 fantasy points in any one of those five games. It really shouldn't come as a surprise from a pure shooter like Thompson though, with San Antonio annually ranking top-three in field-goal percentage and three-point percentage allowed.
FORWARD
Kevin Love, CLE vs. BOS ($36): While LeBron James has been the unquestioned hero in this series, Love hasn't been far behind. Not only is he averaging over 46 fantasy points per game, he averaged 44 per game in his three regular-season meetings with Boston. Much of that is due to the matchup, as Boston ranks 28th in rebounding differential, while allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to power forwards.
Jonathon Simmons, SAN vs. GS ($16): Simmons has been the lone bright spot for the Spurs, as he's playing the best ball of his career. Much of that is due to Kawhi Leonard being out of the lineup, with Simmons ranking third on the team in usage when Leonard sits. Simmons also has at least 23 fantasy points in five of his last six games.
Forward to Avoid
Andre Iguodala, GS at SAN ($14): Iguodala is pretty much a non-factor, as his role has really diminished since Kevin Durant returned from injury. Not only is he averaging just 17 minutes per game in this series, he's scored just 23.7 fantasy points in the three games combined. While his role has shortened significantly, the fact that it's such a tough matchup makes him a hard sell too.
CENTER
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. BOS ($19): Thompson has thrived in this series and his price has yet to rise to where it deserves to be. The Celtics ranked 28th in rebounding differential and Thompson was one of the top rebounders in the league. Much of that is due to Boston's lack of size, and that just caters to an undersized hustler like Thompson. That's even clearer when you consider the fact that Thompson is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in his six meetings with the Celtics this season.
JaVale McGee, GS at SAN ($10): McGee has found himself as the new starter in Golden State with the injury to Zaza Pachulia, and he continues to produce in a small number of minutes. McGee had 18 fantasy points in just 12 minutes during Game 3, and while he's a bit of a risky pick, his low price makes up for it.
Center to Avoid
Pau Gasol, GS vs. SAN ($17): Many centers struggle against the Warriors, as their style of play just kills stereotypical big men. Much of it is due to the fact that they play small ball, which has forced the Spurs to play LaMarcus Aldridge at center. Gasol has yet to play more than 20 minutes in any game this season, and there's little reason to believe he'll break out soon.
