This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA playoffs tip off Monday with four games on the schedule. Teams will no longer be resting players, so we're back to mostly normal rotations to consider when filling out our Yahoo DFS lineups.
Here are some players to target at each position, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. UTA ($28): The Nuggets have been shorthanded during their time in the bubble with Gary Harris (hip) and Will Barton (knee) yet to play since the season resumed. They have both been ruled out for this game, so the Nuggets aren't exactly starting things off on the right foot.
Their absences should keep Murray plenty busy, who scored 50.4 Yahoo points against the Jazz when they faced off August 8. In the only other game that he played against them this season, he scored 31 points to go along with four assists. At this reasonable salary, he could provide excellent value.
Jordan Clarkson, UTA at DEN ($15): It was already going to be an uphill battle for the Jazz in the playoffs with Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) out. Now things are even more complicated because Mike Conley Jr. left the bubble Sunday for the birth of his child. That means he'll at least be out for Game 1, further putting the Jazz in a tough position. With Conley out, Clarkson should see an increase in playing time. While his contributions in rebounds and assists usually leave a lot to be desired, he could score enough with added playing time to be worth considering.
Guard to Avoid
Josh Richardson, PHI at BOS ($18): The Sixers would love for Richardson to step up in this series with Ben Simmons (knee) out. This isn't the ideal series for him to thrive, though, with the Celtics coming in with the fourth-best defensive rating in the league. While he did score 29 points in one of three matchups against them this season, it's worth noting that Joel Embiid didn't play in that contest, so there were a lot of extra scoring opportunities to go around. There are plenty of other viable options for this slate, so taking a chance on Richardson isn't really necessary.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs. DAL ($45): To no surprise, the Clippers have been cautious with Leonard all season, which included sitting him for one game of back-to-back sets. They did that in order to be able to unleash him at full strength in the playoffs. He's torched the Mavericks in three previous meetings this season, averaging 31 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals across three games. Expect him to provide a high floor in this contest, as well.
Joe Ingles, UTA at DEN ($18): Ingles has already been thrust back into the starting five with Bogdanovic out. Now that Conley will also be on the sidelines, Ingles should take on more ball handling responsibilities. During a 14-game stretch that Conley missed earlier this season, Ingles stepped up to average 16.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Considering he won't destroy your budget, he's an attractive option given his new role.
Forward to Avoid
Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL at LAC ($17): Scoring is the name of the game for Hardaway. He averaged 15.8 points per game this season to go along with a career-high 2.9 three-pointers per contest. He doesn't contribute in many other areas, though, based on his averages of 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.6 steals. The Clippers have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league, so it should come as little surprise that they have held him to 9.7 points per game over their three previous meetings this season.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI at BOS ($49): With Simmons out, the Sixers are likely only going to advance as far as Embiid can carry them. That could mean gold for him in DFS despite having to play this stellar defensive team. If there is a weakness for the Celtics, it's that they don't have much size up front. Despite only averaging 28 minutes across there three previous meetings versus the Celtics this season, Embiid averaged 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and two blocks. His floor is as high as anyone's on this slate.
Jarrett Allen, BKN at TOR ($27): The Nets adding DeAndre Jordan in the offseason left Allen to share the load at center. However, with Jordan not joining the team in the bubble, Allen averaged 34 minutes across the six games that he played in. He made the most of his added minutes, averaging 15.7 points, 11 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks. Although this matchup isn't ideal, Allen's new role should still make him a viable option.
Center to Avoid
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. DAL ($19): Harrell is listed as questionable for Game 1 after missing all of the team's games in the bubble because of a personal matter. He is set to clear the mandatory quarantine period, but the fact that he hasn't played since March is likely the reason for the questionable tag. Even if he is cleared to play, he could be looking at limited minutes, so be careful if you're thinking about adding him to your entry.
