This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Game-time decisions and late scratches play a huge role in lineup selection for NBA daily contests, with the ability to quickly react to late-breaking news far more important than in any other sport.
I'll usually run through some situations that merit attention, but this week I'll simply do player recommendations, as all of the relevant injured guys for Friday are either considered probable or have been ruled out.
These recommendations are meant to be for the weekend, generally operating under the assumption that player salaries won't change too drastically Friday through Sunday. Most of the highlighted players are strong options in both cash games and tournaments, but I'll make sure to note it if that's not the case. Listed prices come from Friday's contests.
POINT GUARD
C.J. McCollum, POR (Fri. at PHO, Sat. vs. PHO), $6,400
Even with the $1,500 price hike after his huge season-opening performance, McCollum is one of the best plays at any position. It's no secret that both he and Damian Lillard will put up a ton of shots this season, with the Blazers otherwise completely lacking in scoring options. It's obviously unfair to expect another 37-point performance, but McCollum should be good for about 20-25 points with some assists and steals in both games of a home-and-away against the fast-paced Suns. He played 38 minutes in the opener, and it also doesn't hurt that he's actually good.
Isaiah Canaan, PHI (Fri. vs. UTA), $4,800
It's great when a player with McCollum's ability has a newfound opportunity for massive usage, but this is still NBA daily fantasy that we're talking about, so there will always be room for underqualified players who occupy leading roles on terrible teams. Canaan is the cream of that crop for Friday night, following a 38-minute, 18-point showing in Wednesday's opener against the Celtics. He'll likely fade from prominence throughout the season, but he should see 30-40 minutes as long as T.J. McConnell is the only other healthy point guard on the roster.
Canaan's minutes won't be empty, as he's actually a pretty decent mid-efficiency, high-volume shooter from beyond the arc, making 36 percent (113 of 311) of his career three-point attempts. In 22 games with Philadelphia last season, he had per-36 averages of 17.6 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 10.2 three-point attempts, with treys accounting for 66 percent of his field-goal attempts. Between Canaan's chucking and the abundance of closely contested Jahlil Okafor shots, the 76ers will have a truly unique approach to scoring points for the next few weeks. I never thought I would say this, but Tony Wroten (knee) is desperately needed.
Other options:Damian Lillard, POR (Fri. at PHO, Sat. vs. PHO), $9,300; Ricky Rubio, MIN (Fri. at DEN), $7,000; Brandon Knight, PHO (Fri. vs. POR, Sat. at POR), $6,600
SHOOTING GUARD
Gerald Green, MIA (Fri. at CLE, Sun. vs. HOU), $3,800
Dwyane Wade said the Miami second unit jelled quickly during preseason because all the other four players had to do was give the ball to Green. Sure enough, Green put up 15 field-goal attempts and seven three-point attempts in 30 minutes in Wednesday's season-opening win over the Hornets, finishing with 19 points but just 23.25 DraftKings points. He's never going to provide much besides points and three-pointers, but we've seen what he can do with 30 minutes and a green light.
Other options:Eric Bledsoe, PHO (Fri. vs. POR, Sat. at POR), $7,400; Klay Thompson, GSW (Fri. at HOU, Sat. at NO), $7,200; Bradley Beal, WAS (at MIL, Sat. vs. NYK), $6,100
SMALL FORWARD
DeMarre Carroll, ATL (Fri. at BOS, Sun. at CHA), $5,500
Despite briefly exiting with a bruised elbow, Carroll put up 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in 41 minutes in his Raptors debut. Assuming the elbow checks out, which seems like a mere formality, Carroll should be in for another 35-plus minutes Friday night, facing a fast-paced Boston team in a game that should be high scoring by Eastern Conference standards. He's probably a better play in cash games and 50/50s than big tournaments, but with small forward still the league's thinnest position for fantasy production, Carroll is a solid option in any contest.
Other options:Andrew Wiggins, MIN (Fri. at DEN), $6,300; Danilo Gallinari, DEN (Fri. vs. MIN, Sun. at OKC), $6,300; Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (Fri. vs. WAS, Sun. at TOR), $6,000; Al-Farouq Aminu, POR (Fri. at PHO, Sat. vs. PHO), $4,600; Rodney Hood, UTA (Fri. at PHI, Sat. at IND), $3,900
POWER FORWARD
Greg Monroe, MIL (Fri. vs. WAS, Sun. at TOR), $7,700
Monroe is going to have a huge first season in Milwaukee, and I'll be surprised if he doesn't top his career-high 16 points per game (2012-13). He certainly started off on the right foot from an individual perspective, totaling 22 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals (without any turnovers) in 35 minutes in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Knicks. Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo returning from a one-game suspension, Monroe should stay plenty busy this weekend, especially against the Raptors on Sunday. His high-floor, high-ceiling combo makes him an excellent selection in any contest.
Other options:LaMarcus Aldridge, SA (Fri. vs. BKN, Sun. at BOS), $7,400; Draymond Green, GSW (Fri. at HOU, Sat. at NO), $6,900; Kenneth Faried, DEN (Fri. vs. MIN, Sun. at OKC), $6,600; Serge Ibaka, OKC (Fri. at ORL, Sun. vs. DEN), $5,900; Julius Randle, LAL (Fri. at SAC, Sun. vs. DAL), $5,200
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC (vs. LAL), $10,200
Cousins probably will carry the highest ownership rate of any superstar in the Friday night contests, and while it's often wise to go with one of the lesser-owned studs, the matchup here is just too good to pass on. Even with Roy Hibbert in the mix, the Lakers likely will struggle to defend opposing big men all season, with the problem exacerbated whenever Hibbert gets into foul trouble. I'm not opposed to using Russell Westbrook or James Harden instead, but Cousins is the best bet of the trio to put up 60-plus points.
Other options:Andre Drummond, DET (Fri. vs. CHI), $8,100; Rudy Gobert, UTA (Fri. at PHI, Sat. at IND), $7,200; Jonas Valanciunas, TOR (Fri. at BOS, Sun. vs. MIL), $6,200; Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN (Fri. at DEN), $5,900; Meyers Leonard, POR (Fri. at PHO, Sat. vs. PHO), $4,500
