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.
For Monday’s slate, there are seven games.
As for injuries, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Caris LeVert, Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell and Kevin Huerter are questionable. Kyle Kuzma, Jaylen Brown, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
ATL, BKN and DET are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. No teams play on Tuesday.
DraftKings Sportsbook has four games with a spread of at least 7 points: CLE -7 over MIL, GS -9.5 over WAS, BOS -10.5 over ATL and CHI -7 over UTA. There are two games with a total of at least 230: GS/WAS (231.5) and BOS/ATL (234.5). There is one game with a total below 220: NY/HOU (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $10K Zone [$2K to 1st]
Point Guard
I like Cade Cunningham to bounce back from his 31-FPTS performance on Sunday. He had gone over 40 FPTS in every other game before that. The usage rate is a hefty 31.3% and Cunningham stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis. The Lakers are playing at the third-fastest pace and are 25th in defensive efficiency, so the environment should be a good one.
Shooting Guard
Buddy Hield has embraced the Splash Brother role well so far this season. He’s gone for over 30 FPTS in five of six contests with two over 40. Washington is 28th in defensive efficiency, 27th in three-point percentage defense, 21st in number of three-pointers allowed and 28th in number of three-pointers made per game.
Small Forward
Jayson Tatum has gone over 50 FPTS in five of six games this season. The Hawks are 27th in defensive efficiency and are playing at the second-fastest pace, but the big variable is that Jaylen Brown has been ruled out for this one. In 60 minutes this season, Tatum has seen a 6.6% usage bump to 38.31% with Brown off the court.
Power Forward
If Giannis Antetokounmpo plays, then you start him. He’s questionable, though, so I’d go with Jaren Jackson Jr. if he’s out. The production is volatile for JJJ and the range of outcomes is wide, but the ceiling is enticing and one that few at the position can match. JJJ has two games in the 20 FPTS range but has gone over 40 FPTS twice. The Nets are seventh in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency.
Center
The center position has plenty of options, but I’m always partial to Anthony Davis because he can dominate at both ends of the court and put up a ceiling that is unmatched. Davis has three games over 60 FPTS this season with a high of 71.5. The floor is high as well, as five of six games have been over 50 FPTS with a low of 44.75. Detroit is 22nd in defensive efficiency and ninth in pace.
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.
