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 Monday’s Starting 5 slate, there are six games.
As for injuries, LaMelo Ball, Zach LaVine, Jordan Clarkson and Christian Braun are questionable. Kevin Huerter is doubtful. Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Caleb Martin, Jared McCain and Nikola Jovic are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: CLE -10 over BKN. There are three games within 3 points: PHI -2 over CHA, TOR -1.5 over CHI and DEN -1 over SAC. There are two games with a total of at least 230: CHI/TOR (238.5) and DEN/SAC (237). There are two games below 220: PHI/CHA (213) and MIA/DET (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $6K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
James Harden has struggled recently, finishing with 30.75, 11.75 and 36.25 FPTS. All of those games finished with at least a 20-point spread and he shot 1-of-10 in one of those contests. There’s a chance Monday’s game is a blowout as well, as the Jazz have not been a good team. That said, they are dead last in defensive efficiency, so if it’s a blowout, Harden will likely have been a big reason why. Prior to his three-game mini-slump, Harden put up 70.75, 55 and 66 FPTS.
Shooting Guard
The risk of a blowout is high in this one, as the Nets have triggered Operation Tank. That said, Donovan Mitchell will likely be a reason if so. Over the last eight games, Mitchell has put up over 40 FPTS in seven with a high of 55.75 FPTS. Two of those games were blowouts in favor of Cleveland.
Small Forward
No Scottie Barnes or Immanuel Quickley, so RJ Barrett should be the alpha for the Raptors offense. He’s coming off a triple-double and the matchup is pristine on Monday, as the Bulls are second in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency.
Power Forward
Evan Mobley has a red Q next to his name, but he is probable for Monday’s contest. Mobley will always provide the defensive stats and rebounds, but what’s really taken his game to the next level has been the offensive responsibilities placed on his shoulders. Two games ago, he went for 41 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal. That is the upside. To get to superstar status, Mobley needs to do it on a consistent basis.
Center
I don’t care that Nikola Jokic was held to 30.25 FPTS on Friday. That was the first game under 40 FPTS this season. Jokic still has the highest floor/ceiling combo and went for over 75 FPTS in each of the prior four games, which included an 85 and 90.5 FPTS performance.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $6K 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.
