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 Saturday’s Starting 5 slate, there are two games. These games are the semifinals of the NBA Cup and the games will be played in Las Vegas.
As for injuries, Jalen Johnson and Dillon Brooks are questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, MIL is -4 over ATL with the total at 228.5. OKC is -5.5 over HOU with the total at 212.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $4K Zone [$1K to 1st].
Point Guard
OKC and HOU are first and second in defensive efficiency. The total is a paltry 212.5, so the matchup and environment aren’t fantasy-friendly. That said, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the preeminent bucket getters in the league and is garnering a 33% usage rate on the season. He’s scored at least 30 points in nine of the last 11 games, finishing with over 50 FPTS in nine, with two over 60. In two games against the Rockets this season, SGA has put up 54 and 44.25 FPTS.
Shooting Guard
I’m not crazy about any of the options at the position. Khris Middleton likely won’t play more than 20 minutes while Jalen Green has struggled against the Thunder this season. Cason Wallace has been very consistent as of late, but the ceiling is lacking. Dyson Daniels it is. The production can be volatile because he’s not an efficient shooter and much of his fantasy production is derived from defensive stats. That said, he’s going to play in the low to mid-30s and he’s scored at least 20 FPTS in all but one game this season with five over 40 and two over 50.
Small Forward
De’Andre Hunter doesn’t provide much outside of points, but the points have been robust. He’s scored at least 20 points in seven of the last eight games. Hunter has provided at least 20 FPTS in all eight of those contests with four over 30. One of those games was against the Bucks, finishing with 36.25 FPTS.
Power Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo has the highest floor/ceiling at the position. He’s gone for at least 40 FPTS in every game this season with five over 70 and a high of 97.5 FPTS. In one prior meeting against Atlanta, Giannis finished with 53.75 FPTS.
Center
Alperen Sengun has three triple-doubles on the season and can stuff the stat sheet. Against the Thunder five games ago, with Isaiah Hartenstein playing, Sengun went for 20 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and a block, translating to 54 FPTS.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $4K Zone [$1K 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.
