Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: Toronto's two-man team

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Thursday, March 23:

Dynamic Duos

• SG DeMar DeRozan (85K) & C Jonas Valanciunas (50K), Raptors (at Heat): The suspension of PF Serge Ibaka will put an even bigger load on DeRozan and Valanciunas' shoulders. Without Ibaka and PG Kyle Lowry, DeRozan and J.V. are the only Raptors averaging above 10 points per game this season. They'll have to be at their best in this one.

• PF Marquese Chriss (53K) & C Alex Len (45K), Suns (at Nets): C Alan Williams was an extremely late scratch, Tuesday (illness). His health for Thursday isn't likely to be one-hundred percent. Should he be limited in any fashion, Len and Chriss will benefit. Len double-doubled in his place, Tuesday, while Chriss has averaged 17.5 points and 7.3 boards in his past four.

• C Brook Lopez (84K) & PG Spencer Dinwiddie (50K), Nets (vs. Suns): Dinwiddie may lose some minutes if PG Jeremy Lin returns (ankle). Even so, he should still play at least 25 minutes. In his past two outings, the third-year pro has combined for 30 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The more accomplished Lopez has averaged 25.5 points, six boards, and three 3-pointers over his past six games.

Bargain Plays

• SF Lance Thomas (25K), Knicks (at Trail Blazers): Thomas has averaged a hefty 29 minutes through his past 14 games. With nine points and 5.8 rebounds during the stretch, he has provided sufficient but unexciting functionality. Against Portland's mediocre defense, however, it will be much easier for Thomas to put those heavy minutes to use.

• PF Quincy Acy (27K), Nets (vs. Suns): Acy has averaged 22 minutes through his past eight games. A notable jump from the 15 he has averaged since joining Brooklyn 24 games ago. In those eight games, he has also averaged 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds. Jump on the combination of a bargain salary, increased minutes, and a favorable opponent.

• C Willie Reed (31K), Heat (vs. Raptors): Reed could see a slight uptick in minutes with C Hassan Whiteside fighting a hand laceration. The absence of Ibaka for Toronto will also help Miami's frontcourt production. Coming off a 12-point, seven-rebound outing, a repeat performance would play well in tournament formats.

Top Fades

• SF Harrison Barnes (64K), Mavericks (vs. Clippers): Barnes has failed to notch double-digit points in two of his past three games. A surprising decline for the forward who has come into his own this season. While the trend won't continue, March has also been Barnes' worst month this season. He's averaging just 16.9 points on 42.7 percent shooting.

• SG Devin Booker (74K), Suns (at Nets): Booker's playing through an ankle issue at the moment and it seems to be affecting him quite significantly. He has shot an awful 23.6 percent over his past three games while scoring under 20 points in each contest. At this price, duds aren't worth the risk.

• PG Tony Parker (40K), Spurs (vs. Grizzlies): Some may look to Parker as a bargain play just coming back from injury. While it may be true, Parker has also failed to register more than four points in two of his three games since returning. Though he's playing healthy minutes, Parker's unlikely to shake off the rust against Memphis' stout defense.

Contrarian Options

• SF P.J. Tucker (36K), Raptors (at Heat): Tucker has played at least 25 minutes in his past three games while averaging 8.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. The rebounding gives him some security in fantasy. Without Ibaka, he'll take on a larger role and could finish with a double-double. He has quietly flirted with the achievement in two of his past three.

• SG Austin Rivers (34K), Clippers (at Mavericks): With five games this week and a back-to-back coming up, the Clippers have afforded Rivers at least 23 minutes in their past four games. Rivers has averaged 15.8 points in the stint and should continue to see increased action. Expect him to be passed over without true plug-and-play appeal.

• SG Courtney Lee (39K), Knicks (at Trail Blazers): Lee has combined for disappointing totals of 32 points and nine rebounds through his past four games. A turnaround could materialize against Portland's poor perimeter defense. The Blazers sit 27th in opponent 3-point percentage and 17th in opponent 3-pointers made per night.

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