Squad Up Daily NBA Fantasy Dose: Look to Harden, Ariza to fuel Rockets

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NBA fantasy picture for Tuesday, March 28:

Dynamic Duos

• SG James Harden (108K) and SF Trevor Ariza (50K), Rockets (vs. Warriors): On a night with plenty of high Vegas totals, this tilt should have the highest score of them all. The Rockets can score with the best of them, and with Harden averaging a triple-double in two meetings with Golden State this season, he's a no-brainer despite the steep price tag. Ariza should see a boatload of minutes and is a great mid-range option.

• PG Ricky Rubio (60K) and C Karl-Anthony Towns (97K), Timberwolves (at Pacers): This pairing is nearly identical to the Harden-Ariza duo from a salary perspective but doesn't have quite as high a ceiling. Still, you could do worse than going with Rubio, who is averaging 15.4 points, 10.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds since the All-Star break, with Towns, who has averaged 26.5 points and 11.9 rebounds in March.

• SF Robert Covington (61K) and PF Dario Saric (60K), 76ers (at Nets): Looking for a cheaper combo play? Roll with Covington and Saric, who don't have the same upside as the two groups listed above but should have nice floors against a Brooklyn team which can't seem to guard anyone. This game should be close enough for Covington and Saric to see plenty of minutes, making them terrific safety options.

Bargain Plays

• PG Ish Smith (39K), Pistons (vs. Heat): Smith has been the primary beneficiary of a knee injury to PG Reggie Jackson which could result in him being shut down for the remainder of the season. Smith's salary hasn't yet caught up to his recent production; he has scored in double figures in three of his last seven games and saw 35 minutes last time out. A similar result against Miami should help Smith return major value.

• SG Caris LeVert (33K), Nets (vs. 76ers): If you're looking for a big payoff, LeVert probably isn't going to help you; his playing time ceiling is right around 25 minutes, and he simply doesn't do enough on offense in the short time. But if you're looking for some salary relief on a night with plenty of high-priced options, he might be your guy. LeVert should be able to return value in a good matchup against visiting Philadelphia.

• SF Al-Farouq Aminu (33K), Trail Blazers (vs. Nuggets): It has been a rough stretch for Aminu, who has been limited to single-digit scoring in eight of his last nine games. Aminu is too talented to stay cold for long, and he sees enough minutes to be a solid value play at this price point. He had just five points in his first meeting with Denver, but he added 12 rebounds, two steals and three blocks.

Top Fades

• SG Devin Booker (68K), Suns (at Hawks): Squad Up owners who had Booker in their lineups for his 70-point explosion are probably still patting themselves on the back - but don't expect anything close to a repeat Tuesday night. The Hawks aren't exactly world-beaters when it comes to defending opposing small forwards, but Booker's season averages don't back up his inflated salary - especially on the road.

• PF Draymond Green (72K), Warriors (at Rockets): Green has struggled mightily from the field of late, finishing in single digits in five of his last six games. While he has still contributed plenty in the rebounding and assist departments over the stretch, his salary demands a better showing from the field. Shooting just 36.8 percent from the floor this month, Green is a solid fade candidate.

• PF Richaun Holmes (60K), 76ers (at Nets): Holmes has seen his salary climb steadily to mirror an increase in playing time - but his inconsistency will drive you mad. He has scored more than 11 points just once over his last five games and has rebound totals of 8, 14, 2, 3 and 12. For what amounts to the average cost of an NBA player on Squad Up, you need better production than this.

Contrarian Options

• C Dwight Howard (72K), Hawks (vs. Suns): With all the excitement over the emergence of young centers Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic - who will face off against one another Wednesday - there just isn't much interest in guys like Howard. But the former No. 1 overall pick has been dependable, racking up six straight double-doubles while averaging 13.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.3 steals this month.

• PG Jeff Teague (67K), Pacers (vs. Timberwolves): Much of the focus at point guard will be on headliners John Wall, Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry, but if you're looking to make a splash at another position, Teague offers terrific mid-range value. Teague is averaging nearly 20 points over his previous five games while still offering value via assists and steals. He represents measurable savings over Tuesday's elite options.

• SG Lou Williams (53K), Rockets (vs. Warriors): You can't often rely on a bench player in Squad Up, particularly when you're gunning for a big cash prize. But few bench players are as prolific as Williams, who should be front and center in Wednesday's projected shootout in Houston. Williams is coming off a 31-point performance against the Thunder, Sunday, and could be in for a similar showing against the Warriors.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)