Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: How to benefit from CP3's absence

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Thursday, Jan. 19:

Dynamic Duos

• C Karl-Anthony Towns (86K) & PG Ricky Rubio (53K), Timberwolves (at Clippers): Rubio is on an absolute tear right now, averaging 13.2 points and 14 assists per game through his last five. With Chris Paul sidelined, the Spaniard should have no problem posting his sixth straight double-double. Towns is working on his best month of the season, averaging 22.3 points and 13.9 boards in nine January games.

• SG Will Barton (39K) & PF Kenneth Faried (36K), Nuggets (at Spurs): This bargain combination makes for a great duo in tournament formats. With Gary Harris and Wilson Chandler out, Barton will be assured more opportunity. Despite averaging just 22 minutes this season, Faried's played at least 30 in back to back games, collecting 40 points and 12 boards.

• PG Eric Bledsoe (76K) & SG Devin Booker (59K), Suns (at Cavaliers): Bledsoe is averaging 7.9 assists for the month of January, a noticeable increase from his seasonal average of 6.0. Booker's taken a massive step in scoring as well, posting 27.6 points per game this month. In Phoenix's most recent game against Cleveland, the two combined for 59 points and 12 dimes.

Bargain Plays

• SG Courtney Lee (26K), Knicks (vs. Wizards): A disgruntled Lee bounced back nicely in his second game since being moved to the bench, coming up with nine points, eight boards, and seven assists in 38 minutes. With Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis both questionable for Thursday's game, there will continue to be minutes available for Lee.

• PG Raymond Felton (39K), Clippers (vs. Timberwolves): Many DFS players will move onto Austin Rivers as a way to replace Paul. Avoid that massive swell in ownership and go with the cheaper Felton. Though he lacks Rivers' scoring potential, the veteran point guard has averaged 10.3 points, 5.2 boards, and 4.5 assists in six starts this year.

• SF Kyle Korver (35K), Cavaliers (vs. Suns): After missing his first five 3-pointers in a Cleveland jersey, Korver's knocked down 7 of his last 14 attempts. He'll make his home court debut Thursday against a pitiful Phoenix defense. The Suns rank 29th in opponent 3-point percentage, 24th in defensive efficiency, and third in pace.

Top Fades

• C DeAndre Jordan (71K), Clippers (vs. Timberwolves): Say goodbye to Lob City. With the loss of Paul, Jordan loses his pick-and-roll partner and the anchor to his offensive game. On the season, Jordan was receiving 35 percent of his passes from Paul - the next closest Clipper is J.J. Redick at just 17.5 percent. Expect Minnesota to clamp down on L.A.'s lone remaining superstar.

• PF Kyle O'Quinn (58K), Knicks (vs. Wizards): Despite the absences of Noah and Porzingis on Wednesday, O'Quinn played just 10 measly minutes. While he's flashed double-double potential at times this season, unpredictable playing time and a potential dud at this price tag can decimate a lineup.

• SG Wesley Matthews (48K), Mavericks (at Heat): After averaging 17.2 points for the month of December, Matthews finds himself in a slump to start off 2017. The former Trail Blazer is averaging just 11.4 points per game for January. Additionally, he's shot just 33.8 percent from deep on the road this season and draws a tough Miami defense.

Contrarian Options

• SG Will Barton (39K), Nuggets (at Spurs): A potential start Thursday night would mean more minutes, but also some time against SF Kawhi Leonard. Tournament options hardly come without risk, however. Instead, look to the fact that Barton's shot 49.4 percent on the road this year and will see more usage with Chandler and Harris sidelined.

• SF Mindaugas Kuzminskas (47K), Knicks (vs. Wizards): Combine his relative anonymity with a name that's tough to type let alone pronounce, and many DFS players should steer clear of the rookie Lithuanian. Though his price tag is a touch high relative to his more proven peers, Kuzminskas has real upside, playing 30 minutes a game in his past four.

• C Tyson Chandler (46K), Suns (at Cavaliers): After missing Monday's contest with a stomach flu, Chandler is expected to return to action despite being listed questionable. With at least 15 boards in five straight games, the veteran center continues to provide reliable fantasy results. He picked up 10 points and 15 boards against the Cavs just 11 days ago.