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 Thursday’s Starting 5 slate, there are four games.
Orlando played on Wednesday, and none of tonight’s teams play on Friday.
As for injuries, Scottie Barnes, Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo are questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, CHA is -1 at home over DET with the total at 219. MIN is -7 on the road over TOR with the total at 225.5. SA is -5 at home over UTA with the total at 222. LAL is -5 at home over ORL with the total at 218. Log into DK Sportsbook for updated betting lines.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K Zone [$2K to 1st]
Point Guard
Cade Cunningham and LaMelo Ball are the top two options at the position, but there is some uncertainty with Ball, as Tre Mann played over him at times last game. Ball can access the same ceiling as Cunningham, but the floor is a little lower. That being said, that could tilt the ownership variable in Ball’s favor. Decisions, decisions. On the season, Cunningham has three triple-doubles and has dished out double-digit dimes in eight games. Over the last four games, he’s put up 50.5, 65, 40 and 71.25 FPTS.
Shooting Guard
Anthony Edwards has gone for at least 40 FPTS in all but four games this season with three over 50. Over the last five games, he’s played at least 37 minutes in all with two games over 40 minutes. The opposing Raptors are ninth in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency.
Small Forward
Franz Wagner has filled the Paolo Banchero void spectacularly. His usage rate has exceeded 30% in all but one game and has gotten as high as 38%. He’s gone over 40 FPTS in seven straight with three over 50 and a high of 63.75.
Power Forward
Orlando is one of the best defensive teams in the league and the pace should be slower than usual in this one. However, LeBron James just does so much on the basketball court that it’s hard to not click on his name. Despite losing a tick of usage this season, he’s still a threat to triple-double on any given night and has 70-FPTS upside, which he’s reached twice this season.
Center
Anthony Davis leads the Lakers in usage rate at 32%. JJ Redick has made him the offensive hub, and Davis has delivered. What makes Davis special, though, is his ability to dominate on the defensive end. He literally stuffs the stat sheet. Davis has finished with at least 50 FPTS in all but two games this season, with four over 60 and a high of 71.5 points.
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.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
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.
