NBA

NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 10/30/15

With Gerald Henderson still out of the Blazers' lineup, C.J. McCollum should once again see all the minutes he can handle.

If you've never played daily fantasy basketball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every NBA night.

Today's lineups can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.

Let's get to it.

The Best of the Best

DeMarcus Cousins - After a breakout campaign in the 2014-15 season, Cousins picked up right where he left off a year ago, posting 32 points, 13 boards and 3 assists in a difficult matchup against DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers on opening night. Tonight, Cousins draws a much more favorable matchup against a Lakers squad who allowed the ninth most fantasy points per game to opposing centers a year ago. Although Los Angeles did upgrade the middle of their defense by adding Roy Hibbert, Boogie is one of, if not the most talented big men in the NBA and Hibbert hasn't exactly looked like the all-NBA defender he once was. Look for the Kings' star to dominate the paint en route to a massive fantasy outing in what Vegas expects to be a shootout in Sacramento.

Kyle Lowry - Much like Cousins, Lowry was impressive in his first outing of the season despite facing one of the stingiest defenses in the league. The Raptors' point guard scored 23 points with 6 dimes, 3 boards and 2 steals against the Pacers and draws a much friendlier matchup tonight against a Celtics team that allowed the ninth most points per game (101.2), played at the fifth fastest pace and gave up the 10th most fantasy points to opposing point guards in the NBA last season. While there are certainly a number of high-priced players that warrant consideration -- James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, etc. -- Lowry provides similar upside at a much lower price tag. He makes a strong play in all formats tonight.

Top Mid-Range Values

Danilo Gallinari - With Wilson Chandler sidelined expected to miss the first few weeks of the season, Gallinari was forced into a massive role in Denver's first game of the season and looked spectacular, dropping 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal with zero turnovers in 36 minutes of action against the Rockets. Although he only started 27 games, the Nuggets' wing man was outstanding last season when given the opportunity, averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals on a per-36 minute basis and should see close to that workload once again tonight. Additionally, Gallo gets the pleasure of facing off against one of the worst defensive units in the NBA tonight in the Timberwolves. Minnesota ranked dead last in the league in opposing points per game (106.5) and Defensive Rating (112.2) last season, not to mention they allowed the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards. Gallinari is dollar for dollar my favorite player on the board tonight at just $6,900 on FanDuel and $6,300 on DraftKings.

C.J. McCollum - Similarly to Gallinari, McCollum found himself with as the starter due to an injured teammate and took full advantage. With Gerald Henderson sidelined with a hip injury, McCollum had virtually no competition for minutes at the point guard position and turned 37 minutes into a spectacular 37-point, 6-rebound outing with a massive 28.5% usage rate against the Pelicans. With Henderson expected to miss his second straight game, the former Leigh University standout will see another massive workload and should remain the team's second scoring option behind Damian Lillard. With a price tag of just $6,400 on DraftKings and $6,000 on FanDuel, McCollum should reach value easily in what Vegas anticipates will be a high scoring against Phoenix.

Basement Ballers

Festus Ezeli - Andrew Bogut will miss tonight's game with a concussion, which means Ezeli will slide into the Warriors' starting lineup against the Rockets. Golden State's backup center impressed when on the floor last season, averaging 14.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3 rejections on a per 36-minute basis. Although he is unlikely to crack 30 minutes tonight, Ezeli will likely see minutes in the mid-20s and should have plenty of opportunities to accumulate fantasy points. He is an absolute steal at minimum value on FanDuel and $3,100 on DraftKings.

Joffrey Lauvergne - As long as Jusuf Nurkic is out rehabbing his knee injury Lauvergne will remain the Nuggets starting center. In Denver's first game of the year, the Nuggets' big man scored 11 points while grabbing 7 boards and adding an assist and a block. Although he played just 22 minutes against the blowout of the Rockets on opening night, expect Lauvergne to see even more minutes tonight in what is expected to be a close game against the defensively-challenged Timberwolves and for him to dominate a Minnesota front court which allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing centers last season. He provides excellent value at just $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,700 on FanDuel tonight.