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 8 games.
None of the teams are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Josh Giddey, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, Yves Missi, Malcolm Brogdon, Gradey Dick, Precious Achiuwa, Cameron Payne and Ty Jerome are questionable. Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Durant, LaMelo Ball, Jusuf Nurkic, Coby White, Kyle Kuzma, Tre Mann, Corey Kispert and Kyshawn George is out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: DAL -12 on the road over WAS and NYK -15 at home over CHA. There are two games within 3 points: SAS -2 at home over CHI and PHO -1 on the road over NOP. There are four games with a total of at least 230: DEN/CLE (234.5), DAL/WAS (233.5), SAC/MEM (242) and CHI/SAS (232.5). There are two games with a total below 220: CHA/NYK (216.5) and PHO/NOP (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
Luka Doncic is coming off two games with over 70 FPTS, and the matchup is fantastic, but I have concerns about a blowout and fewer minutes. Dallas is favored by 12 points and, in the two games prior to the 70-pointers, Doncic only played 28 and 30 minutes due to a blowout, finishing with 36 and 47.75 FPTS. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has gone over 50 FPTS in all but two in the last 11 games, with two over 60 and a high of 77.75 FPTS. While the Thunder are favored by 9 points on the road, the Raptors have a 6-4 record at home this season, so this game will likely be more competitive than the Dallas one.
Shooting Guard
Malik Monk returned from injury five games ago. After his “get reacclimated game” in which he received 26 minutes, Monk played 35 and 36 minutes off the bench in the next two, contributing 53 and 51.75 FPTS. Then Mike Brown shifted Monk into the starting lineup and Monk has played 35 and 37 minutes, producing 43 and 42.25 FPTS. It’s not just scoring, though, as Monk has dished out 12, six, nine and nine dimes.
Small Forward
Josh Hart is not going to score a ton of points, but he has gone over 10 in every game but one this season. Where Hart makes his money is in every other statistical category. He’s one of the best rebounding players for his height, dishes out dimes and racks up steals. He has eight games with double-digit rebounds and has two triple-doubles. Over the last seven games, Hart has at least one steal in all with a total of 17. He’s finished over 40 FPTS in four of those contests with a high of 50.75.
Power Forward
There is some volatility to PJ Washington‘s game due to the shooting efficiency, but he contributes across the board and, when it all comes together, he has 50 FPTS upside. Over the last seven games, he’s exceeded 40 FPTS four times and this game environment should be one in which he thrives, as the Wizards eschew defense and play fast.
Center
Nikola Jokic. Don’t get cute. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo on the slate and has failed to hit at least 50 FPTS only once this season. Jokic has gone over 70 FPTS seven times with three over 80 and a high of 92 FPTS.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $8K 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.
