This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday brings two play-in games in the Western Conference on a night that won't be short on star power. It also means we have a small two-game slate on Yahoo, which might be somewhat difficult to navigate. Let's try to make the task a little easier by highlighting some players to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS at LAL ($50): Not much justification needs to be given to deploy Curry in DFS. He's been a one-man wrecking crew this season, using his 34.8 percent usage rate to average 32.0 points and 5.3 three-pointers per game. The Lakers had the best defensive rating in the league during the regular season and will likely focus their defensive efforts on trying to slow down Curry, but that's easier said than done.
Jordan Poole, GS at LAL ($10): Poole ended the season on a high note for the Warriors, averaging 14.7 points and 2.4 three-pointers over the final 18 games. He's not an efficient shooter, though, given that he shot just 42.2 percent from the field during that stretch. Don't expect much from him outside of the scoring column, either, with his averages of 1.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the season. Still, on a night filled with high-salary stars and few overall options, taking a chance on Poole at his minimum salary might not be a bad idea.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, LAL vs. GS ($23): Luckily for the Lakers, Schroder was able to return before the end of the regular season after a stint in the league's health and safety protocols. He has been a key addition for them, stepping up his game when LeBron James and Anthony Davis were injured. However, with both players healthy, Schroder could see a decline in scoring opportunities moving forward.
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, LAL vs. GS ($44): It was another injury-plagued season for Davis, who played in only 36 games. His numbers took a hit when he was on the floor, too, averaging 21.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game after averaging 26.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season. The Lakers have improved depth, which helps take some of the pressure off of Davis. However, now that the playoffs are here, look for them to lean more heavily on their star. That could leave him with a big night against the undersized Warriors.
Juan Toscano-Anderson, GS at LAL ($15): Toscano-Anderson doesn't grab a lot of headlines playing alongside the likes of Curry and Draymond Green. However, he's become an important part of the Warriors bench, even though he doesn't score a ton. Over his final 13 games, he averaged 7.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals. That should at least put him on your radar considering his cheap salary.
Forward to Avoid
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. GS ($19): While Kuzma can go off on any given night, it's tough for him to provide consist production with so many talented players around him. He's scored 28.6 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games and failed score at least 10 Yahoo points two times during that stretch. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him provide limited production in this game with the Lakers' health situation finally improving.
CENTERS
Jakob Poeltl, SA at MEM ($22): After never averaging more than 19 minutes per game during his career, Poeltl averaged 27 minutes per game this season. He made the most of his expanded role, averaging 8.6 rebounds, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks. Expect him to play a lot in this matchup since the Spurs will need his size and shot-blocking ability to battle with Jonas Valanciunas.
Kevon Looney, GS at LAL ($10): With James Wiseman (knee) lost for the season, the Warriors have turned to Looney to be their starting center. His lack of involvement in the offense leaves him with very limited upside, but he has scored at least 20 Yahoo points in five of his last seven games. With the possibility that he plays a few extra minutes against a big Lakers' frontcourt, Looney could provide value in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, LAL vs. GS ($22): This game could go one of two ways for Drummond. He could dominate a Warriors team that allowed the third-most rebounds per game in the league. However, since they don't have a ton of size, the Lakers could play Davis more at the five, which would limit Drummond's minutes. It might be best to avoid Drummond based on the risk that comes with rostering him, especially in cash games.
