Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: Big-game Bulls can compound Cavaliers' woes

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Thursday, March 30:

Dynamic Duos

• PG Rajon Rondo (51K) and PF Nikola Mirotic (45K), Bulls (vs. Cavaliers): There's no reason Rondo and Mirotic can't continue their strong recent play against a fragile Cavaliers squad ranked 29th in post All-Star break defensive efficiency. Rondo has averaged 15 points, 8.5 assists and six rebounds against Cleveland this season, and Mirotic, back in a starting role, has had 28-point outbursts in two of his last three games.

• C Karl-Anthony Towns (95K) and PG Ricky Rubio (63K), Timberwolves (vs. Lakers): Towns is rarely priced below 100K, so he's surprisingly discounted ahead of a visit from the Lakers, who hold the NBA's worst defensive rating. Post All-Star break, Towns has averaged 27.9 points and 13.3 rebounds. March has been Rubio's best month, with averages of 16.6 points, 10.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds.

• SG James Harden (98K) and SF Trevor Ariza (49K), Rockets (at Trail Blazers): Ariza has moved up a spot in the lineup since starting PF Ryan Anderson was lost due to injury; in two games as a small-ball power forward, Ariza has averaged 18.5 points, five rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals. His modest salary complements Harden's hefty price tag.

Bargain Plays

• PG Kris Dunn (25K), Timberwolves (vs. Lakers): Dunn has received between 26 and 35 minutes in each of his last three games, averaging 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, three steals and 1.6 blocks. With playmaking duties left to the aforementioned Rubio, Dunn is free to rack up the defensive stats. March 24, against the Lakers, Dunn contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and five combined steals and blocks.

• PF Trevor Booker (25K), Nets (at Pistons): It can be a lottery to see how Brooklyn divides up its minutes every game; Booker's playing just over 20 minutes per contest in March, well below his seasonal average of 25. At the minimum salary, he still has a reasonable amount of upside as long as he can see a typical workload. Booker has managed four efforts of at least 12 points and seven rebounds in the month.

• SG Corey Brewer (25K), Lakers (at Timberwolves): While not the most inspiring option, the minimum-priced Brewer at least looks assured of a second straight start thanks to rookie SF Brandon Ingram's knee tendinitis. At best, Brewer will reach double figures in points and record a handful of secondary contributions; his prospects should be helped by a matchup of two teams in the bottom seven in defensive efficiency.

Top Fades

• PG Tyler Ulis (64K), Suns (vs. Clippers): Ulis' huge workload provides him a solid floor - he has played 39 or more minutes in seven of his last eight games - but the rookie has nevertheless posted a few duds in the stretch. At his hefty salary, there's reason to worry the hounding defense of Clippers PG Chris Paul could result in another learning experience for the 2016 second-round pick.

• SG Denzel Valentine (42K), Bulls (vs. Cavaliers): Valentine is surprisingly expensive, considering he has averaged just 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in March, while ranking 12th on the team in usage rate. Far more reliable SGs are priced below him, like Houston's Lou Williams (40K) and the Clippers duo of J.J. Redick (34K) and Jamal Crawford (32K).

• C Andre Drummond (70K), Pistons (vs. Nets): Drummond's rebounding (14.7 per game in March, above his seasonal average) is as reliable as it gets, though he has reached double figures in points in only three of his last nine games. Over two meetings with Brooklyn, Drummond has averaged 9.5 points and 11.5 boards; the fast-paced style favored by the Nets doesn't seem to suit the fifth-year big man.

Contrarian Options

• C Nene Hilario (33K), Rockets (at Trail Blazers): Hilario tends to play a larger role against teams with prominent big men; a matchup with Portland C Jusuf Nurkic certainly qualifies. Two of Hilario's last three games have come against the center-heavy Thunder and Pelicans; the Brazilian responded with averages of 14.5 points, six rebounds and 2.5 assists.

• PG Ish Smith (56K), Pistons (vs. Nets): The reeling Pistons have lost five straight games, but Smith's own production was solid, with averages of 13 points, 4.4 assists and four rebounds. With erstwhile starting PG Reggie Jackson possibly shut down for the rest of the season, the path is clear for Smith to assume a heavy workload. Brooklyn plays at the league's fastest pace and ranks 25th in defensive efficiency.

• PF Gorgui Dieng (55K), Timberwolves (vs. Lakers): Dieng is inconsistent, but injuries have robbed Minnesota of a clear backup for him, so the Senegal native has a long leash. He played a season-high 44 minutes in Minnesota's last game, and even if he doesn't pile up points, his all-around ability allows Dieng to produce in nearly every category.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)