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 three games.
As for injuries, Jayson Tatum is questionable. Sam Hauser and Pelle Larsson are doubtful. Scottie Barnes is out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, BOS is -13 over DET at home with the total at 226.5. MIA is -10.5 over TOR at home with the total at 222.5. SAC is -5.5 over NOP on the road with the total at 231. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $6K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
Cade Cunningham has the highest floor/ceiling combo at the position. His usage rate is over 30% and he’s exceeded 50 FPTS in six of the last seven games, with a high of 71.5 FPTS. Boston is one of the best defensive teams in the league, but he’s gone for 52.5 and 61.25 FPTS in two meetings against them this season.
Shooting Guard
Malik Monk only put up 25.5 FPTS in his last game, but that’s because he only played 27 minutes in a 141-97 blowout over the Jazz. Prior to that, he played at least 32 minutes in each of the last six games while putting up at least 40 FPTS in all but one. Two of those were over 50 FPTS. He’s starting, and getting buckets like always , but it’s been the playmaking that has taken his fantasy game to the next level.
Small Forward
With Scottie Barnes out of action for a few weeks due to injury, RJ Barrett is the alpha for the Raptors offense. The usage rate will likely be in the low-30s. On the season, he’s exceeded 50 FPTS six times with a high of 68.5 FPTS. In two prior meetings with Miami, Barrett put up 54.75 and 41 FPTS, but Barnes played in both.
Power Forward
If Jayson Tatum plays, then you click on his name. No other player at the position can match his production. If he’s out, then I’ll go with Herbert Jones. I usually hate these low-usage, defensive players, but Jones has attempted double-digit shots in each of the last three games while putting up 23.25, 35.5 and 38.75 FPTS due to all the injuries the Pelicans are dealing with.
Center
Domantas Sabonis has been a beacon of consistency this season, putting up at least 40 FPTS in all but one contest. He’s third in rebounds, leads the league in double-doubles, and is fourth in triple-doubles. He can access ceiling as well, with three games over 60 FPTS this season. The matchup should be a good one, as Yves Missi will likely have difficulty holding up down low against Sabonis.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $6K 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.
