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Damian Lillard says he’ll play Friday vs. Mavericks [UPDATE]

Blazers PG is dealing with an illness but will play through it.

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard controls the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Moda Center. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: Jan. 17, 8:20 p.m. — Lillard says he’ll play through the illness vs. Dallas.

So I don’t think we have to worry too much about Dame. If he says he’s good enough to play through the illness, then he’s clearly good enough for a full amount of minutes. Maybe I’d be a bit cautious, but this is Dame.

Portland Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard is questionable to play Friday vs. the Dallas Mavericks due to an illness.

This is some late-breaking news that could impact Friday’s seven-game slate quite a bit. With Lillard’s status in question, we may have to rethink some of our lineups with just over an hour until lock at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Fantasy Basketball, DFS analysis: Portland Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard

So if Dame is ruled out, CJ McCollum ($6,800) is pretty much the chalk play of the slate. He’d be the go-to scorer in a good matchup in terms of pace. McCollum is hot too, having scored a combined 71 points over the past three games. Hassan Whiteside ($8,400) was already in a good spot, but I think this only makes things better if Lillard is out. The Mavs have had trouble containing bigs in the paint and Kristaps Porzingis isn’t going to play tonight.