DraftKings, your paradise of DFS nirvana, has done it again, with a new contest called NBA Starting 5. 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 Friday’s slate, there are three games.
As for injuries, Devin Vassell is probable. Zach LaVine, Immanuel Quickley, Keyonte George and Malaki Branham are questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
ATL, BKN, CLE and LAC are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. TOR plays on Sunday.
DraftKings Sportsbook has ATL -3 at home over CHI with the total at 237.5. CLE is -12.5 at home over BKN with the total at 225. LAC is -8 at home over TOR with the total at 226.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K Zone [$2K to 1st]
Point Guard
Atlanta is playing at the third-fastest pace and is 24th in defensive efficiency. Chicago was tops in pace earlier in the season, but they have dropped down to 16th. That said, there should be plenty of points in this one, and the 237.5 total reflects that. Trae Young is the maestro of the Hawks offense and he’s gone for at least 50 FPTS seven times, with a high of 71.5. Over the last two contests, he’s put up 64 and 51.5 FPTS, so the recent form is good.
Shooting Guard
I have concerns with Donovan Mitchell and Cam Thomas today. Thomas faces a very good Cavaliers defense while Mitchell has been inconsistent. Some of it has been inefficient shooting, while the Cavs have so many other good offensive options that he can take a back seat at times. So, Norman Powell it is for me. Usually, I eschew this scoring-dependent profile, but Powell has been so consistent. He’s gone for at least 30 FPTS in each of the five games, with one above 40. On the season, he’s gone under 30 FPTS just twice. He has become the second option for the Clippers’ offense and has delivered.
Small Forward
If Zach LaVine plays, then he’s the option. If he’s out, then Cameron Johnson is my guy. He’s attempted at least 10 shots in every game this season while contributing a decent number of boards and dimes. The range of outcomes is pretty narrow, though, as he will likely finish in the 20 to 30 FPTS range, but he has a high of 41.3 FPTS on the season.
Power Forward
With Scottie Barnes out, RJ Barrett has stepped up and assumed the short-term alpha role on offense. He’s gone for at least 40 FPTS in five of seven games this season, with three games over 50. The matchup isn’t great, as the Clippers are 24th in pace and seventh in defensive efficiency, but Barrett is garnering a 33% usage rate over the recent games.
Center
The Nets are extremely “light-in-the-rear” at center, so Jarrett Allen should feast more than normal. Allen has double-doubled in four straight and has only one game under 30 FPTS this season. He’s gone over 40 FPTS three times, with a high of 49.3 FPTS.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K 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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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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.
