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 seven games.
CLE and UTA are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jamal Murray, Chris Boucher, Trendon Watford and Ziaire Williams are questionable. Cade Cunningham, LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson, Miles McBride, CJ McCollum, RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji and Gary Payton II are out.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three double-digit favorites: GSW -11.5 over NOP, DEN -16.5 over UTA and LAC -12.5 over BKN. There is one game within 3 points: NYK -1 over MIL. There are two games with a total of at least 230: UTA/DEN (237.5) and CLE/DET (231.5). There are two games below 220: CHA/TOR (218.5) and LAC/BKN (213.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $6K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
James Harden has put up over 50 FPTS in nine of the last 12 games, with three of those over 60 FPTS. While he’s no longer a triple-double threat every night, Harden still stuffs the stat sheet and is playing a ton of minutes. Devin Booker is the only one with a high probability of matching Harden, as Ball is out, Murray is questionable and Garland doesn’t play enough minutes and has a fairly difficult matchup.
Shooting Guard
This position is gross but I think Christian Braun provides the best option. He has a red Q next to his name, which could keep many off him. He’s offically probable. He is also buried down low and most will click on Edwards or Mitchell. Both of them have the higher ceiling, but I think Braun could match their production. Utah is second in pace and 22nd in defensive rating over the last 10 games and Braun just put up 47.5 FPTS.
Small Forward
I’m going to take a big swing here with Kyle Kuzma here. He hasn’t been great but hasn’t been bad either. But he’s been known to pop off from time to time and can get buckets. Damian Lillard is out while Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable. Kuzma could be asked to shoulder more offensive responsibility.
Power Forward
Kawhi Leonard is back, baby! Over the last seven games, he’s put up over 40 FPTS in all, with three over 50 FPTS. Most importantly, he’s played 41 and 40 minutes in the last two games and there is no back-to-back scenario.
Center
Nikola Jokic has a red Q next to his name, but he’s officially listed as probable. Don’t get cute. Click Jokic, be happy and differentiate elsewhere.
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.
