Skip to content

Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: Nuggets vs. Nets a goldmine for points

Isaiah J. Downing / USA TODAY Sports

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.

Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Friday, Feb. 24:

Dynamic Duos

  • C Nikola Jokic (81K) and SF Danilo Gallinari (49K), Nuggets (vs. Nets): The Nuggets and Nets both rank in the top five in pace and in the bottom three in defensive efficiency, so expect plenty of scoring. Despite a dud of an outing on Thursday, Jokic is averaging 20.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists over his last five contests, and the affordable Gallinari leads the team with 17.2 points per game.
  • PG Kyle Lowry (75K) and C Jonas Valanciunas (47K), Raptors (vs. Celtics): While inconsistent, Valanciunas excelled against the Celtics in his most recent home matchup between the two teams, piling up 18 points and 23 rebounds. Boston ranks 27th in rebound rate, so while all eyes will be on new Raptor Serge Ibaka, Valanciunas should have the bigger impact. Lowry has averaged 30 points over three games against Boston this season, making him an ideal complement.
  • PF Dario Saric (54K) and SF Robert Covington (60K), 76ers (vs. Wizards): Per NBA.com's stats database, Saric holds the 76ers' highest usage rate in February, a month in which he's averaged 16 points and 6.9 rebounds. The Croatian rookie should ascend to the starting lineup as of Friday. Covington's February production has been steady, with per-game averages of 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals.

Bargain Plays

  • PF Jared Dudley (25K), Suns (at Bulls): Averaging seven points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a reserve, Dudley looks set to see a bump from the 16.6 minutes he's averaged in February in the wake of teammate P.J. Tucker being traded at Thursday's deadline. Tucker was playing almost 30 minutes per game, and at his best, Dudley provides a bit of everything and is shooting 43.2 percent from 3-point range this season.
  • SG Malcolm Delaney (25K), Hawks (vs. Heat): Listed as a shooting guard in Squad Up, Delaney is expected to start in place of Dennis Schroder, who was handed a one-game suspension by the Hawks. Delaney has appeared in 56 games off the bench in his rookie season, averaging 5.9 points and 2.7 assists per contest. He's hit double-digits in scoring 10 times and could exceed his career-high of 30 minutes.
  • C Mason Plumlee (36K), Nuggets (vs. Nets): For those who find the aforementioned Jokic too pricey, Plumlee offers similar playmaking ability as Denver's new backup big man. In two games as a Nugget, Plumlee is averaging 10.5 points, six rebounds and two assists, numbers that could be boosted by the expected high point total of Friday's matchup.

Top Fades

  • PG Russell Westbrook (133K), Thunder (vs. Lakers): It's not that Westbrook won't have a huge game against the Lakers, who rank as the league's second-worst team in terms of defensive rating; the issue is that he's 36K more expensive than the next priciest Squad Up option. Westbrook just doesn't provide value of any kind at this salary, and selecting him will compromise the rest of a lineup.
  • SG Austin Rivers (50K), Clippers (vs. Spurs): The possible return of Chris Paul (see below) would likely bump Rivers from the starting lineup, but even if Paul remains out, Rivers isn't a recommended option at his elevated salary. He's averaged a mere seven points over two meetings with San Antonio, owners of the NBA's best defensive rating, and if Rivers' shot isn't falling, he doesn't offer much else, fantasy-wise.
  • C Greg Monroe (58K), Bucks (vs. Jazz): Monroe can pour in points off the bench, as attested by two straight 25-point efforts, but looks to be overpriced in what should be a defensive-minded, slow-paced affair against the Jazz. He produced 13 points and four rebounds over 24 minutes in an earlier meeting between the two teams.

Contrarian Options

  • PG Chris Paul (66K), Clippers (vs. Spurs): Keep an eye on Paul's status, as the All-Star point guard may be able to return from the thumb injury that has sidelined him since mid-January. He was held out of Thursday's game, but could play on the second half of a back-to-back. His salary will rarely be this low, and he's averaged 14 points, eight assists and seven rebounds over two meetings with the Spurs this season.
  • C Jahlil Okafor (51K), 76ers (vs. Wizards): With Nerlens Noel traded and Joel Embiid sidelined, Okafor is Philadelphia's last center standing (at least until he inevitably succumbs to an injury of his own). As a starter, Okafor has averaged 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and one block, while producing 26 points and nine rebounds over 35 minutes in his last meeting with Washington.
  • PF Nikola Mirotic (43K), Bulls (vs. Suns): Mirotic missed the Bulls' last three games prior to the All-Star break with a back injury and is inconsistent even when healthy, but he should see all the work he can handle with Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott making their way out of town at the trade deadline. Phoenix's fast pace and poor defensive rating should help Chicago's offensive prospects.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox