Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: Cousins trade paves way for Towns against Kings

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Monday, Feb. 27:

Dynamic Duos

• PF Gorgui Dieng (54K) & C Karl-Anthony Towns (97K), Timberwolves (at Kings): The Timberwolves frontcourt will face a Kings team still growing accustomed to life without PF/C DeMarcus Cousins. C Willie Cauley-Stein broke out in his first Boogie-free game, but plummeted in game two, scoring just two points with two rebounds. Towns has totaled 59 rebounds over his past three games.

• PG Stephen Curry (78K) & PF Draymond Green (68K), Warriors (at 76ers): Expected to be on the positive side of yet another blowout, Curry and Green are neither the most expensive option at their respective position, nor priced as high as owners are accustomed. They may see reduced court time if this game unfolds as expected, but both are capable of efficient fantasy outings.

• PG Kyrie Irving (68K) & C Tristan Thompson (57K), Cavaliers (vs. Bucks): The provision for this duo is that SF LeBron James needs to remain sidelined by his illness, after already missing Saturday's game. Milwaukee ranks just 21st in defensive efficiency, and will be switching to the road for the second half of a back-to-back. Irving had 34 points and finished a rebound and three assists shy of a triple-double Saturday.

Bargain Plays

• PG Delon Wright (25K), Raptors (at Knicks): The Raptors finally downgraded PG Kyle Lowry (wrist) to day-to-day after he aggravated an injury in the All-Star Game. Wright has played a total of 27 minutes in the two games since, shooting 6-for-14 with one made 3-point attempt. He got into foul trouble late in Sunday's game, but he is the offensive counterpart to PG Cory Joseph's defense in place of Lowry.

• SG Glenn Robinson III (25K), Pacers (at Rockets): Robinson's Slam Dunk Contest performance has boosted his ownership in daily fantasy, but his real-life role has grown as well. He has played at least 20 minutes in three of his past four games, scoring in double digits in three of the four. He went 7-for-11 from 3-point range, adding a handful of rebounds and an assist per game.

• PF Skal Labissiere (25K), Kings (vs. Timberwolves): Labissiere has shot 9-for-17 from the field for 20 points in two games without Cousins. They're the two highest-scoring games of his rookie season, and he had his first double-digit rebound game Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has played at least 10 minutes in three consecutive games with a high of 23 coming his last time out.

Top Fades

• C Jonas Valanciunas (51K), Raptors (at Knicks): Valanciunas' role has already been diminished in two games alongside PF/C Serge Ibaka, both in scoring and rebounding. He may resurface as opposing defenses learn to focus on the newcomer, but Valanciunas will be unworthy of a 50K-plus salary in the interim.

• SF Andrew Wiggins (71K), Timberwolves (at Kings): It'll be tough to fade Wiggins while he's averaging 29.0 points per game in February but scoring remains his only reliable fantasy contribution. The Timberwolves will likely focus on the appealing frontcourt mismatch, potentially keeping Wiggins below the 20-plus field goals he has attempted in four consecutive games.

• PG Darren Collison (55K), Kings (vs. Timberwolves): After staying put at the deadline, Collison has been held to no more than 32 minutes in each of his past three games. He had just one double-double in the stretch and topped out at 13 field-goal attempts. He has scored below his February average in each of his past four outings.

Contrarian Options

• PG Isaiah Thomas (83K), Celtics (vs. Hawks): Thomas averages more points per game on zero days rest than he does with any sort of break period between games. He shoots better from the field and from 3-point range. His position-leading salary may lead to lower ownership on the second half of a back-to-back, but he is one of few players not affected.

• SF Robert Covington (64K), 76ers (vs. Warriors): Covington has played at least 29 minutes in each of eight games since returning from a three-game absence. His 33.9 minutes per game in February are his highest monthly average. He has topped 39 minutes in the two games since the trade of PF Nerlens Noel, posting a double-double in each outing.

• PF Nerlens Noel (49K), Mavericks (vs. Heat): Noel grabbed 10 rebounds in his Mavericks debut, his third-highest total of the season. He played 30 minutes for a Dallas team being out rebounded by six boards per game, the worst mark in the league. Miami also has a negative rebound differential. He got into foul trouble in his debut, so the 30 minutes may represent his new floor in Dallas.

(Photos courtesy Action Images)