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 five games.
HOU and LAC are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Malik Monk is probable. Tyrese Haliburton, Ty Jerome, Devin Carter and Aaron Nesmith are questionable. Bradley Beal, Robert Williams III and Deni Avdija are doubtful. Isaiah Hartenstein and Donovan Clingan are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: LAC -14 over BKN and PHO -10.5 over WAS. There are three games within 3 points: DET -2.5 over IND, OKC -2.5 over CLE and SAC -2.5 over HOU. There are two games with a total of at least 230: PHO/WAS (233.5) and CLE/OKC (232). There is one game with a total below 220: BKN/LAC (214.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
I like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Cavaliers are eighth in defensive efficiency and I’m thinking Jalen Williams carries more of the offensive load for the Thunder. Cade Cunningham is no consolation prize, though, as he’s been balling out, especially recently. Over the last three games, he’s put up 47.5, 67.5 and 59 FPTS. He’s triple-doubled six times this season and the matchup is a good one with Indiana 11th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency.
Shooting Guard
Devin Booker has finished with over 50 FPTS in four of the last five games with a high of 62.5 FPTS. Bradley Beal is doubtful and the matchup is one of the creme de la creme for fantasy, as Washington is fourth in pace and dead-last in defensive efficiency.
Small Forward
Can I get an Amen from those standing in the back?! Amen Thompson has started the last four games due to the Jabari Smith Jr.’s injury and put up at least 49 FPTS in three of those contests… with two over 50, too. He’s received 41 minutes in three of those games, and minutes are half the battle. Yo, Joe!
Power Forward
There are some good options at this position, so this is likely where the most differentiation will occur. I will side with Kevin Durant because of the floor and matchup. He’s put up at least 40 FPTS in each of the last four games, with a high of 56.5 FPTS. As mentioned in the Booker section above, Beal is doubtful and the matchup is a fantasy-friendly one.
Center
Domantas Sabonis leads the league in double-doubles and has five triple-doubles on the season. The floor is incredibly high, as he’s reached 40 FPTS in all but one contest. You want ceiling? Sabonis has put up over 60 FPTS seven times with a high of 70.5.
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.
