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Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: Lillard going for third straight 30-point game

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Thursday, Dec. 8:

Dynamic Duos

  • PG Damian Lillard (77K) & Mason Plumlee (56K), Trail Blazers (at Grizzlies): Lillard has dropped 30 points in each of Portland's past two games, while Plumlee has averaged 11.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and four assists through his past five. Though Memphis is a strong defensive them, their current health situation makes them much easier to exploit.
  • SG Will Barton (54K) & C Nikola Jokic (41K), Nuggets (at Wizards): Barton's returned from injury in fine form, averaging 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his last four games. Jokic has turned in three straight double-doubles despite limited minutes. Washington's been a mess this year at 7-13.
  • SG Langston Galloway (46K) & SF Solomon Hill (45K), Pelicans (vs. 76ers): Galloway poured in 26 points Monday as PG Jrue Holiday and SG E'Twaun Moore both sat out due to injuries. Their statuses for Thursday, however, remain uncertain. Hill logged a whopping 47 minutes Monday, registering nine points, seven boards, and five assists. Look for this cheap duo to continue their success against Philadelphia.

Bargain Plays

  • PF Patrick Patterson (39K), Raptors (vs. Timberwolves): Patterson's been playing well of late, averaging 11.2 points and seven rebounds in his past five games. He has also shot an impressive 56 percent from deep in the span. He should continue his strong play against a poor defensive team in Minnesota.
  • PG Jameer Nelson (31K), Nuggets (at Wizards): Nelson's played over 25 minutes in three straight games, as he takes away minutes from struggling sophomore PG Emmanuel Mudiay. The veteran guard has contributed 11.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in those three outings. There's no reason for him to slow down against Washington.
  • SG Joe Ingles (26K), Jazz (vs. Warriors): The Jazz are going to struggle against the Warriors with George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Derrick Favors all out of action. Though Ingles isn't the offensive solution to the issue, he's played over 20 minutes in three of Utah's past four games and is in line to do so once again Thursday. At his low price, a few 3-pointers and a couple boards will return value.

Top Fades

  • PG Rajon Rondo (57K), Bulls (vs. Spurs): Rondo's combined for just 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in his past two games. Turnovers have also been an issue in those two games, as he has coughed up the rock eight times. A matchup against San Antonio won't help him get back on track.
  • PG Stephen Curry (75K), Warriors (at Jazz): Utah's defense is already stifling, but it's been particularly hard on opposing guards. The Jazz rank first in opponent assists against per game and limit opponents to just eight 3-pointers made per game. In this matchup, Curry is going to be hard-pressed to return great value.
  • SG Nik Stauskas (46K), 76ers (at Pelicans): Stauskas is mired in a big time shooting slump, knocking down just 25 percent of his shots through his past five games. The former Michigan Wolverine has been particularly weak from long distance, hitting just four of his past 21 3-point attempts. Without his range, Stauskas has little fantasy appeal.

Contrarian Options

  • SG Langston Galloway (46K), Pelicans (vs. 76ers): For those not in tune with the Pelicans' current backcourt injuries, Galloway will likely go unnoticed. He could, however, end up providing tournament value with ease. In the five games where Galloway has eclipsed 25 minutes, he's scored at least 15 points in four. Expect him to see more than 25 minutes with similar offensive success should Holiday and Moore sit out again.
  • SF Joe Johnson (31K), Jazz (vs. Warriors): Iso-Joe started Tuesday with Rodney Hood (hamstring) unavailable. Though he'll have a tough assignment against Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant Thursday night, he can still be rostered with confidence. Johnson's knocked down 47 percent of his 3-point attempts at home this season.
  • SG Jamal Murray (30K), Nuggets (at Wizards): Murray logged a career-high 33 minutes Wednesday despite a thigh issue. On the second-leg of a back-to-back, owners may be wary of a tired and hobbling Murray. Don't fear the 19-year-old rookie, though. He has combined for 34 points in his past two, and Washington's allowed opponents to shoot 38.5 percent from deep this year.

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