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 11 games.
As for injuries, Jalen Suggs, Jaden Ivey and Moses Moody are probable. Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Trae Young, Keegan Murray, Josh Giddey, Trey Lyles, Gary Harris, Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Sam Hauser, Daniel Theis, Dalano Banton and Marcus Smart are questionable. Ja Morant is doubtful. Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Onyeka Okongwu, Isaiah Stewart and Kyle Filipowski are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, PHI is -9.5 over CHA at home with the total at 221.5. CLE is -8 over MIL at home with the total at 224.5. OKC is -2 over MIA on the road with the total at 215.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Starting 5 $6K Zone [$2K to 1st].
Point Guard
Over the last 12 games, Cade Cunningham has dished out double-digit dimes in nine of those contests. He hasn’t just been a facilitator, though, as the usage rate has been around 30 percent. He’s scored at least 20 points in all but two of those games and grabbed double-digit rebounds in three of those contests. This has translated to 50+ FPTS in nine of those games, with five outings over 60 and two over 70.
Shooting Guard
Payton Pritchard doesn’t start, but he’s the microwave off the bench for the Celtics and is the front runner for Sixth Man of the Year. Over the last four games, he’s played at least 30 minutes in all and put up at least 30 FPTS in all, with two nights over 40 points and a high of 51.5 FPTS. Boston is favored by 11 points, so Pritchard could see 30 minutes once again. In addition, Chicago is second in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
Small Forward
In two games since Dennis Schroder was traded, Cameron Johnson has had a usage rate of 28% in both contests. He put up 32.75 and 61 FPTS. Utah is dead-last in defensive efficiency, so he could be a solid option.
Power Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo has put up 77.25 and 74 FPTS in the last two games, with one of those against the Thunder, a team with the best defensive rating in the league. The last time Giannis faced Washington, he finished with 78 FPTS. The risk of blowout is high, so a ceiling game isn’t assured, but Giannis will likely be a big reason the Bucks win in commanding fashion, especially since Damian Lillard is unlikely to play in this one.
Center
The center position has a lot of enticing options, but I’m going with Victor Wembanyama because of the ceiling. He contributes in every statistical category and can put up absurd numbers. On Thursday, he finished with 42 points, six rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals, good for 70 FPTS.
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.
