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 eight games.
NYK is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Nikola Jokic, Tyler Herro, Rudy Gobert, Chet Holmgren, Deni Avdija, Santi Aldama, John Konchar, Dante Exum, Caleb Martin, Keyonte George, Jerami Grant, Jaden Springer, Alec Burks, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Andrew Wiggins and Aaron Gordon are questionable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mark Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyrie Irving, Jaden Hardy, Kai Jones, P.J Washington, Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Jonathon Mogbo, Jakob Poeltl, Kel’el Ware, Dalano Banton, Robert Williams III, Lugentz Dort, Cason Wallace and Julian Strawther are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: CLE -15.5 over CHA. There is one game within three points: OKC -3 over POR. There are four games with a total of at least 230: MEM/DAL (238), PHO/DEN (236.5), CLE/CHA (234.5) and SAS/SAC (234.5). There is one game below 220: MIN/MIA (214.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $10K Zone [$2K to 1st] (Early).
Point Guard
James Harden has been vintage Harden lately, putting up 67 and 57 FPTS in the last two games. Now he faces a Knicks team that is playing the second leg of a back-to-back and has been 26th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Shooting Guard
Anthony Edwards has put up 50.75 and 67.25 FPTS in two of the last three games while playing 38 and 36 minutes. De’Aaron Fox hasn’t come close to 40 FPTS in four games and I’m not expecting a big game against his former team. I have concerns about the playing time for Donovan Mitchell because the Hornets stink. Zach LaVine could go for a 50-burger, but he’s more likely to end in the 30-FPTS range. Desmond Bane would be a nice selection if Ja Morant was out, but Morant will likely be playing.
Small Forward
Kevin Durant has put up over 40 FPTS in four of the last five games, with 55.75 FPTS in the most recent contest. Durant stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis and is one of the most unstoppable offensive forces in the game. He will continue to garner a high usage rate to try and keep Phoenix afloat.
Power Forward
Toronto has ruled out RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, so Scottie Barnes should see an increased usage rate and have more rebounding opportunities. The matchup is a good one as Utah is seventh in pace and 24th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Center
Nikola Jokic would be the status quo here, but he’s questionable, so pivot we must. If he’s good to go, though, then click his name. Don’t be a hero. If Jokic is out, then Ivica Zubac is the way to go. He’s put up at least 40 FPTS in three of the last four games, with a high of 57.5 FPTS.
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.
