DraftKings, your paradise of DFS nirvana, has done it again, with a new contest called NBA Starting 5. It’s so easy to play that my dad would have fun with it, and he barely knows how to text me.
You select one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward and one center.
There is no salary cap.
The only stipulation is that you must select players from at least two different teams.
That’s it. EZ PZ.
For Saturday’s slate, there are seven games.
As for injuries, Kawhi Leonard, Kristaps Porzingis, Malcolm Brogdon, Isaiah Hartenstein and Devin Vassell are out. Josh Richardson is questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
DraftKings Sportsbook has BOS as the biggest favorite at 13.5 points over DET. There are three teams favored by at least nine points; CLE over was, MIN over TOR and OKC over CHI. There’s only one game with a total of at least 230: CLE/WAS (230) and DAL/PHO (233). The lowest total is the LAC/DEN game at 219.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $10K Zone [$2K to 1st]
Point Guard
Luka Doncic is not only one of the best point guards in the league, but one of the best players in the NBA bar none, for both real-life and fantasy. He averages a tick under 1.7 FPTS per minute and stuffs the stat sheet for our heart’s delight. Doncic is a threat to triple-double on any given slate and has the highest floor/ceiling combo. The matchup against the Utah Jazz is a good one, as they play fast and eschew defense. There is risk of a blowout in this one, though, which could prohibit Doncic from seeing a full complement of minutes. That said, if the game is a blowout, Doncic will likely have been a big reason why. Trae Young has a fantastic matchup, but he’s playing the second leg of a back-to-back and his floor/ceiling combo isn’t as high as Doncic’s.
Shooting Guard
No one sticks out at this position, and an argument can be made for many. I’m going with Jalen Green, though. Green has attempted at least 21 shots in all three games and put up 44.5 FPTS in each of the last two games. Green is a professional getter of buckets, but what’s been encouraging has been the contributions in the rebound and assist categories.
Small Forward
Franz Wagner played well during his rookie season in the Association. Since then, he’s incrementally improved in every statistical category. Now in his fourth season, Wagner could be leveling up to star status. Wagner has put up 41.5, 46 and 39.25 FPTS this season and faces a Pacers team that is 24th in defensive efficiency is usually among the league leaders in offensive pace.
Power Forward
Redemption tour for Jayson Tatum has begun perfectly, as he’s gone for at least 52 FPTS in every game with a high of 66. Tatum is the alpha of the Celtics despite them being more wolfpack-like than most teams. He literally stuffs the stat sheet so the floor is high. If this game remains competitive and the Bucks push the Celtics, Tatum could access a ceiling game. Last season against the Bucks, Tatum went for 46.2, 12.2 (only 15 minutes), 58 and 40.2 FPTS.
Center
Victor Wembanyama has overtaken Nikola Jokic in some circles. Not here, my internet friends. Jokic literally does it all and is a threat to triple-double and break the slate by himself. Wembanyama has journey-to-Mars potential, but there are still holes in his game and, while he can dominate the blocks, points and rebounds categories, he falls short in assists and shooting efficiency.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $10K Zone [$2K to 1st]
What is the DraftKings NBA Starting 5 Game Style?
- The Fantasy Sports NBA Starting 5 Game Style is a type of contest in which participants draft lineups by selecting one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward, and one center. NBA Starting 5 is scored the same way as classic NBA DFS contests.
Important Information:
- Fantasy Sports NBA Starting 5 contests require no salary cap balancing.
- NBA Starting 5 contests span multiple games, and Fantasy Sports participants must select athletes from at least two different teams.
- Participants will see all five positions on the draft screen, and must pick one athlete per position.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
