The regular season begins in 17 days. Until then, coaches will adjust their lineups accordingly. Jacque Vaughn continues to start Luke Ridnour at point guard and Jeff Hornacek felt compelled to start Anthony Tolliver over Markieff Morris Friday. Andre Roberson seems the front-runner for the starting two-guard gig in Oklahoma City and Bradley Stevens aims to convert Evan Turner into a point guard in Boston. It comes with the preseason territory, but don't be seduced by an unknown's star-like stat line. Key cogs play reduced minutes and sit out games occasionally during the preseason, yielding widespread opportunity and production not easily transferred to the regular season.

HOSPITAL WARD

The following notable players were ruled out of Friday's contests: Lance Stephenson (toe), David West (rest), Nerlens Noel (rest), Kevin Martin (adductor), Serge Ibaka (ankle), Dirk Nowitzki (hip), Monta Ellis (knee), and Kenneth Faried (ankle).

Bradley Beal and Reggie Jackson both left their respective games with wrist injuries, the latter to his shooting wrist. Both organizations were tight-lipped on severity but expect updates within the next few days. Jackson actually converted a free-throw attempt immediately after the injury scare, an auspicious sign nonetheless. He exited the game on the strength of 13 points (5-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, three assists and a steal in 17 minutes. Beal lasted 10 minutes before misfortune struck, finishing the night with four points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT). Raymond Felton exited his game with a sprained right ankle. The X-rays were negative.

HE WENT TO JARED

Jared Sullinger nearly recorded a triple-double (10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists) in 24 minutes against the Toronto Raptors. The seven assists would have been a career-high had this game taken place during the regular season. He tallied just three assists combined in his first two preseason games, making it easy to temper expectations moving forward. Most of his assists came off dribble-handoffs with Avery Bradley, similar tactics used by Kelly Olynyk (three assists) and Brandon Bass (five assists). Sullinger's effectiveness from the field (4-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) could use a makeover in order to label him more palatable in rotisserie leagues. Rookie Marcus Smart recorded seven assists as well. Through three preseason games, Smart is 6-of-24 from the floor and 3-of-16 from behind the three-point line, most certainly head-to-head league worthy shooting.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AFTER LOVE?

Thaddeus Young welcomed his former team, deprived of Nerlens Noel (rest) and Hollis Thompson (eye), with open arms. The former Sixer scored 12 points (6-15 FG, 0-3 3Pt), created five assists, generated two steals, and grabbed one board in 23 minutes. In fact, five Timberwolves recorded at least two steals a piece with Ricky Rubio and Mo Williams swiping three. Seven different Timberwolves scored in double-digits, including the last two number one overall picks, Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins. Donning Mars Blackmon-esque goggles in his preseason debut, Bennett terrorized Philadelphia's frontline with monstrous dunks en route to 13 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 25 minutes off the bench. Wiggins provided plenty of highlight plays of his own yet only converted at the rim or behind the three-point line and finished with 11 points (5-10 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 30 minutes. Zach LaVine led all rookies with 15 points (6-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), although failed to join the rest of his teammates in the assist column. It's best if you discount the gaudy totals put forth by the Minnesota Timberwolves, given their competition.

THE HIBBITY DIBBITY

Roy Hibbert played well Friday, almost shockingly so. From the naked eye it appeared the 7-foot-2 enigma touched the ball on nearly every possession, be it on the block or the top of the key. David West didn't suit up for this game, placing the onus on Hibbert who finished with 13 points (4-8 FG, 5-6 FT) three blocks, three rebounds, and one steal in 15 minutes. Also bear in mind his opponent, Nikola Vucevic, whose defensive tactics leave much to be desired. Most impressive was Hibbert's ability to hit uncontested 19-footers and find open perimeter players when the double-team approached. Hibbert did however miss all four of his attempts inside the paint but knocked down all four of his jumpers outside of 11 feet. You're drafting him in fantasy leagues for his blocks first and foremost, so any external production should be considered gravy. The forced post entries could see his assists rise to 2.0 per game, similar numbers to his 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, especially if David West relocates during the season.

MORE CHAMPAGNE

Evan Fournier remains the sleepiest of sleepers (Yahoo! rank - 284, ESPN rank - 841). Starting at shooting guard for the second straight game, Fournier finished with 11 points (3-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four assists, two rebounds and one steal in 28 minutes. Not only did he touch nearly every inch of the stat sheet but for the second straight game, the 21-year-old Frenchman played several minutes as lead ball handler. His value remains tethered to Victor Oladipo's health as he works his way back from a sprained right MCL. The latest reports have Oladipo running full-court sprints unimpeded prior to Friday's exhibition match.

Another shareholder in Orlando's backcourt, Elfrid Payton, continues to fill the stat sheet with all sorts of goodies. In 25 minutes off the bench, Payton chipped in eight points (4-4 FG, 0-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block with only one turnover to boot. He was fearless in both attacking the rim (every shot was inside nine feet) and creeping below the foul line for defensive rebounds in order to push the pace. The free-throw woes are concerning and once teams decide to foul instead of contest, coach Vaughn may be forced to look elsewhere.

THUNDERSTRUCK

Second-year center Steven Adams found success in the post (8-9 FG) and charity stripe (3-3 FT), an area of contention during his rookie season. He finished with 19 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three blocks in 29 minutes, however nearly fouled out of his second straight preseason game. Adams scored nine points in the first quarter, insulated by the presence of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Even with Kendrick Perkins' (quadriceps) status unclear and the masses clamoring for more Adams, Serge Ibaka, absent this game, played nearly 20 percent of his minutes at center last season. With the expectation that coach Scott Brooks starts Perkins at center when healthy, Adams remains a watch list guy in shallow leagues and an interesting add in deeper leagues.

After Reggie Jackson (wrist) left the game in the third quarter, Jeremy Lamb and Anthony Morrow took turns chucking. Lamb scored 19 points (6-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-9 FT), grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out four assists, contributed two steals, and swatted a shot in 30 minutes. Not to be outdone, Morrow finished with a game-high 21 points (6-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT) and a solitary block in 29 minutes. Lamb played the entire second half and Morrow scored 19 of his 21 points in 16 second half minutes, which included a four-point play. Even so, Andre Roberson started the second straight game at shooting guard and played a hefty 26 minutes. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were limited to 18 minutes (zero second half run) and as mentioned up top, Serge Ibaka didn't play.

GALLINARI AND KRYPTO-NATE RETURN 

Danilo Gallinari hasn't played a game since April 4, 2013 and Nate Robinson last played on January 29, 2014. Both players returned from torn ACLs and each played under 15 minutes off the bench. Gallinari looked like the Gallo of old, scoring a team-high 17 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-7), hauling in four rebounds and getting to the line with impunity. In nine minutes, Robinson scored two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and provided zeroes everywhere else. Robinson will have a difficult time earning meaningful minutes under Brian Shaw and the glut of Denver guards, but Gallinari expects to usurp the starting small forward role from perpetually injured Wilson Chandler. His propensity for perimeter jumpers drowns his field goal percentage, but if you can stomach the hit, a late-round flier on Gallinari could return top-80 value by season's end.

GARBAGE TIME GLORY

Preseason basketball carries more significance for the fringeworthy players trying to impress all front offices. Everyone else works on conditioning and avoiding catastrophic injuries. When coaches experiment in blowouts, you'll inevitable encounter dubious box score numbers.

The Wizards entered the fourth quarter down 78-55. Journeyman Xavier Silas saw extended run and took full advantage, scoring 14 of his 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT) in the final stanza against the Hornets' second unit. He finished one of the two Wizards to shoot better than 50 percent from the field and score double digits, the other being Otto Porter (14 points, 5-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT).

The Pacers were actually embraced in a competitive game with the Magic entering the fourth quarter, down two points. That didn't stop David Sloan from scoring 13 of his 16 points (5-13 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT) against a plethora of defenders during the final twelve minutes. Magic's backup center Kyle O'Quinn scored 11 of his 13 points (6-14 FG, 1-2 FT) during the same timeframe, converting 5-of-6 shots including four jumpers outside of 15 feet.

THE DAN FORDEN AWARD*

Avery Bradley shot the lights out, comparatively speaking, converting 4-of-5 three-pointers and scoring a league-high 22 points in 21 minutes. Coach Stevens opted to sit Bradley the final 22 minutes. One report indicated Bradley suffered a foot injury, but coach himself said he wasn't trying to overwork certain players. Given his injury history, stay tuned should any news surface.

TECHNICAL FOUL DEVIANTS

Jonas Valanciunas, Kyle Lowry, Markieff Morris, Devin Harris, and Ivan Johnson received one a piece. Preseason technical fouls don't roll over into the regular season, so savvy players would be wise to locate the uncrossable line with new referees prior to the start of the regular season.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Avery Bradley, G, BOS: 22 PTS (9-15 FG, 4-5 3Pt)
2. Anthony Morrow, G, OKC: 21 PTS (6-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT)
3. Five players tied with 19 points

Rebounds

1. Jusuf Nurkic, C, DEN: 12 REB (4 OREB)
2. Jeremy Lamb, G, OKC: 11 REB (1 OREB)
3. Four players tied with 10 rebounds

Assists

1. Ricky Rubio, G, MIN: 9 AST (6 TO)
2. Devin Harris, G, DAL: 8 AST (2 TO)
3. Four players tied with seven assists

Steals

1. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 5 STL
2. Steven Adams, C, OKC: 4 STL
3. Four players tied with three steals

Blocks

1. Steven Adams, C, OKC: 3 BLK
2. Roy Hibbert, C, IND: 3 BLK
3. Kevin Seraphin, C, WAS/Marcin Gortat, C, WAS/JaKarr Sampson, F, PHI: 3 BLK

Three-Pointers

1. Avery Bradley, G, BOS: 4-5 3Pt
2. Marcus Thornton, G, BOS: 4-6 3Pt
3. Xavier Silas, G, WAS/Jannero Pargo, G, CHA/Anthony Morrow, G, OKC: 4-7 3Pt each

Minutes

1. DeJuan Blair, C, WAS: 34 MIN
2. Evan Turner, G, BOS: 32 MIN
3. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 31 MIN

*The Dan Forden Award is given to the player with the best long-distance shooting performance. It is named the Dan Forden Award after Dan Forden, audio technician for the Mortal Kombat series and the guy who popped up from the bottom right corner of the game and excitedly proclaimed "Toasty!"