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 Starting 5 slate, there are six games.
As for injuries, Kevin Durant and Isaac Okoro are probable. Evan Mobley, Jamal Murray, Miles Bridges, Lauri Markkanen, Austin Reaves, Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams, Jordan Clarkson and Tidjane Salaun are questionable. Zach Edey is doubtful. LeBron James, Malcolm Brogdon, Stephon Castle, Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Derrick Jones Jr. and Caleb Martin are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: CLE -17.5 over WAS and MEM -10.5 over BKN. There are no games within 3 points. There are two games with a total of at least 230: WAS/CLE (231.5) and CHA/CHI (231.5). There is one game below 220: LAL/MIN (217.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
James Harden is coming off a missed game due to injury and his worst game of the season. But he hasn’t played since last Wednesday, so he should be well-rested and recharged. With Kawhi Leonard out of action, Harden has gone from being the facilitator last season to alpha dog status with a 30+% usage rate this season. He’s still a threat to triple-double on any given night and put up 70.75 FPTS against the Nuggets three games ago.
Shooting Guard
With LaMelo Ball out, Brandon Miller has donned the cape and carried the offensive load for Charlotte. He’s attempted at least 18 shots in each of the last seven games with four of those over 20 and a high of 30. He’s put up at least 40 FPTS in four of the last five games with a high of 56 FPTS. The Bulls are second in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency, so there should be plenty of opportunities to score fantasy goodies.
Small Forward
The range of outcomes has been wide for Paul George this season, but when he puts it all together, he possesses a ceiling that few in the position can match. And that’s due to his all-around game. Over the last three games, he’s gone for 25.25, 41.5 and 51.5 FPTS. Whether he gets there or not is unanswerable, but the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one as the Pacers are seventh in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency.
Power Forward
There are multiple options at the position that should finish in the 30 FPTS range. While a few have 50 FPTS potential, the probability of anyone hitting that seems low. I’m going to go with Julius Randle because he’s been so consistent, putting up at least 30 FPTS in each of the last 12 games despite playing only 25 minutes in a number of those contests. On the season, he has failed to put up 30 FPTS only twice and has a high of 53.5 FPTS.
Center
Nikola Jokic. Don’t get cute. He’s the best fantasy player in the land.
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.
