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 seven games.
BOS, LAL and OKC are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Jose Alvarado and Trevelin Queen are probable. Trae Young, Jalen Brunson, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Jalen Johnson, RJ Barrett, Miles McBride, Anthony Black, Jock Landale, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Maxi Kleber, PJ Washington, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Jake LaRavia, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Cody Martin are questionable. Tari Eason, Keegan Murray and Sam Merrill are doubtful. Ja Morant, Jaden Ivey, Bilal Coulibaly, Jeremy Sochan, Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, Jamison Battle and Gary Harris are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the biggest favorite is DEN -7.5 over SA. There is one game within 3 points: ORL -1.5 over TOR. There are three games with a total of at least 230: WAS/NO (231), MEM/SAC (237.5) and SA/DEN (234). There are two games with a total below 220: CHA/DET (215.5) and ORL/TOR (214). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
Dejounte Murray hasn’t triple-doubled this season and has scored at least 20 points only three times. I think there’s a chance he accomplishes both on Friday, as the Wizards are tied with the Pelicans for 28th in defensive efficiency. Washington also plays at the fourth-fastest pace. A 50-FPTS burger is in play and Murray has a 60-FPTS upside if everything breaks right.
Shooting Guard
Jalen Suggs has attempted at least 20 shots in three of the last four games. He only played 13 minutes due to injury in the other contest. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner out, Suggs has shouldered much of the offensive load. Over the last five games, the usage rate has been 35.5 percent with two of those over 40 percent. Toronto is sixth in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency.
Small Forward
Trey Murphy III has put up at least 30 FPTS in each of the last eight games with four over 40 FPTS. In two of the last three games, Murphy has contributed 45.5 and 48.25 FPTS. He’s played 39, 38 and 39 minutes. Minutes are half the battle, but he’s attempted over 20 shots in two of those contests. There should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies on Friday as the Wizards play fast and eschew defense.
Power Forward
If Lonzo Ball and Brandon Miller are out, then Miles Bridges is my choice. He’s put up 59, 47 and 57 FPTS over the last three games as he’s carried much of the offensive load. If Ball and Miller play, then I’m going with Jayson Tatum, who is essentially matchup-proof due to his skills, teammates and offensive system.
Center
There are plenty of good options at center but I’m always going to side with Nikola Jokic. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the league and is always in play to put up a “had-to-have-it” score.
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.
