Before we dive into the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Karl-Anthony Towns, Center, New York Knicks $9,800

Veteran center Karl-Anthony Towns has been a standout performer for the New York Knicks this season. To assess Karl-Anthony Towns performance from a statistical standpoint, let’s review Towns relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season. This will provide a clear picture of Karl-Anthony Towns overall contributions to the New York Knicks this season.

In the 84 games that center Karl-Anthony Towns played for the New York Knicks in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Towns is averaging 23.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks a game.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the 84 games that Karl-Anthony Towns has played for the New York Knicks this season, Towns has compiled a 52.6% field goal percentage, a 42% three-point percentage and an 82.9% free throw percentage.

These two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Anthony Towns perform in the most recent matchup? Who prevailed? In February, Karl-Anthony Towns had a dominant performance in the New York Knicks 128-115 win over the Indiana Pacers. Anthony Towns finished the game with 40 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, making 14 of 23 shots from the field.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In summary, I think Karl-Anthony Towns is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA single game contest.

Flex Plays

Jalen Brunson, Point Guard, New York Knicks $11,000

In addition to center Karl-Anthony Towns, point guard Jalen Brunson has been an essential part of the New York Knicks starting lineup this season. With that said, how has Brunson played recently?

In the New York Knicks 119-81 victory over the Boston Celtics five days ago, New York point guard Jalen Brunson tallied 23 points, six rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes of play.

In conclusion, I fully expect Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson to continue his outstanding play in tonight’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Josh Hart, Forward (New York Knicks) $8,800: Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $10,600: Myles Turner, Center (Indiana Pacers) $8,000.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Pacers vs. Knicks 5/21/25" at Sports Chat Place

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers beat the Cavs in five games and are in the conference finals for a second straight season. The Pacers have won four straight road games. The Pacers have won six of their last seven games overall.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 117.7 points on 50.1 percent shooting and allowing 112.2 points on 44 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.8 points and 6.2 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer, and Andrew Nembhard is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 33.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.

NY Knicks Betting Preview

The NY Knicks beat the Celtics in six games and are in the conference finals for the first time since the 1999-00 season. The Knicks are 3-3 at home in these playoffs. The Knicks are 8-4 in these playoffs overall.

The NY Knicks are averaging 106.8 points on 44.4 percent shooting and allowing 105.9 points on 43.6 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.8 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 19.8 points and 1.1 assists. OG Anunoby is the third double-digit scorer, and Mikal Bridges is dishing 2.8 assists. The NY Knicks are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 75.1 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.

Why the New York Knicks will win

• The Pacers have lost each of their last seven Eastern Conference Finals road games.
• The favorites have won each of the Pacers’ last nine Eastern Conference Finals games.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven Eastern Conference Finals road games.
• The Knicks have covered the spread in five of their last six night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won each of their last four playoff games as road underdogs.
• The Knicks have lost nine of their last 10 games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Pacers.
• The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games when playing with a rest advantage against the Knicks.

New York Knicks Player Facts

• Karl-Anthony Towns ranks 1st in the league for second chance points (305) this season.
• Josh Hart ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (9.6) this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Knicks vs Pacers Injury Report

The Pacers will be without Isaiah Jackson due to an Achilles injury.

The Knicks don’t have any players listed on their injury report.

Knicks vs Pacers Prediction

The Knicks are going to be favored at home for obvious reasons, as they have arguably the best home court in the playoffs. However, I like the Pacers in this series. While the Knicks have more household names, they’ve played their starters into the ground all year, and at some point that has to catch up to them. The Pacers are the deepest team in the NBA, and they play an up-tempo that only exposes teams further.

If the Pacers are allowed to get out and run, and they’re hitting their shots, the Knicks will be in trouble. Also, the Knicks are just 3-3 at home in the playoffs, while the Pacers have won four straight road games. The Pacers have also won five of the last eight games against the Knicks. The Pacers have also outright won five of their last six games as an underdog. I just don’t think this is going to be a cakewalk to the finals for the Knicks, the way some believe. Give me the Pacers and the points.

Read the rest of "Knicks vs Pacers Prediction 5/21/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $10,800

Talented guard Donovan Mitchell has been the driving force behind the Cleveland Cavaliers success on the basketball court this season. Let’s review the veteran guard’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to better illustrate Mitchell’s overall contributions to his team.

In the 77 games that Donovan Mitchell played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Mitchell has averaged 24.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals a game.

These two teams have met multiple times this season. How has Mitchell performed in the matchups with the Pacers? In the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers four days ago, Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell played exceptionally well. The talented guard tallied 43 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal in the Cavaliers defeat of the Pacers.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 77 games that Donovan Mitchell has played this season, Mitchell has compiled a 44.3% field goal percentage, a 36.8% three-point percentage, and an 82.8% free throw percentage.

It should be noted that the Cleveland Cavaliers have officially listed Donovan Mitchell as questionable for this evening’s playoff game. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my view, Donovan Mitchell is the most likely player to amass the most Draftkings points in this Eastern Conference game. For that specific reason, I am backing Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell at the captain position for this one game NBA Showdown slate.

Flex Plays

Pascal Siakam, Forward, Indiana Pacers $7,800

In the 88 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 88 games that Pascal Siakam has played for the Pacers this season, Siakam is averaging a robust 32.1 Draftkings points a contest.

Considering the elevated importance of tonight’s game, I fully expect Pascal Siakam to continue his outstanding play.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this playoff NBA game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $10,400: Jarrett Allen, Center (Cleveland Cavaliers) $8,000: Myles Turner, Center (Indiana Pacers) $7,600.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Pacers vs. Cavaliers 5/13/25" at Sports Chat Place

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers look to make the conference finals in back-to-back seasons. The Pacers have won 22 of their last 28 games. The Pacers have won their last three road playoff games.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 118.1 points on 50.1 percent shooting and allowing 113 points on 44.5 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.6 points and 6 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 17.2 points and 5.9 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Nesmith is grabbing 5.8 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 79.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.9 rebounds per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to force a game 6 on Thursday. The Cavs have seen 11 of their 21 losses come since March 16. The Cavs have lost their last two home playoff games. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 121.3 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 107 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28.9 points and 4.3 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 19.8 points and 5.8 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 9 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 83.6 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won 13 of their last 14 games at Rocket Arena following a road loss.
• The Pacers have lost each of their last five Game 5s of an Eastern Conference Semifinals series.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Central Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in six of their last seven playoff games following a loss.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The underdogs have won four of the Pacers’ last five Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
• The Cavaliers have lost three of their last four games as favorites.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last eight playoff road games against the Cavaliers.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 playoff home games against Central Division opponents.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
• De’Andre Hunter is one of only five players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Injury Report

Donovan Mitchell is questionable for the Cavs due to an ankle injury. Mitchell played just 20 minutes in a game 4 loss. The Cavs were 9-2 SU this season without Mitchell.

The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction

The Cavs are 36-9 SU at home this season and 52-37-1 ATS on the season. Only the Thunder have made NBA bettors more money, so it’s reasonable to see why they’re favored in a must-win game. However, the Pacers have simply been the better team in this series and have now won five of the last six games against the Cavs. Since March 17, the Pacers are 7-4 SU and 8-3 ATS in 11 games as an underdog.

We’re also now seeing Mitchell on the injury report, and if he doesn’t play, it’s fair to say this line drastically shifts and the Cavaliers probably lose outright. If you like the Pacers, you should probably grab this line now. I’ve been on the Pacers every game of this series, and there’s no reason to turn back now. Give me the Pacers and the points.

Read the rest of "Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction 5/13/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Pascal Siakam, Forward, Indiana Pacers $8,000

Talented power forward Pascal Siakam has been a key contributor for the Indiana Pacers this season. Let’s dive into Siakam’s game data from this season to better shed light on his contributions to his team.

In the 87 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 87 games that Pascal Siakam has played for the Pacers this season, Siakam is averaging a robust 32.1 Draftkings points a contest.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

For the reasons just outlined above, I am backing Pascal Siakam at the captain position for this one game NBA DFS slate.

Flex Plays

Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $10,800

Veteran guard Donovan Mitchell has been a solid performer for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. With that said, how has Mitchell performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s review Mitchell’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 76 games that Donovan Mitchell played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Mitchell has averaged 24.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals a game.

These two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Mitchell perform in the most recent matchup with the Pacers? Who won? In the Cleveland Cavaliers dominant 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers two days ago, Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell played exceptionally well. The talented guard tallied 43 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal in the Cavaliers defeat of the Pacers.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 76 games that Donovan Mitchell has played this season, Mitchell has compiled a 44.3% field goal percentage, a 36.8% three-point percentage, and an 82.8% free throw percentage.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this playoff NBA game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $10,200: Jarrett Allen, Center (Cleveland Cavaliers) $8,200: Myles Turner, Center (Indiana Pacers) $7,600.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Cavaliers vs. Pacers 5/11/25" at Sports Chat Place

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have their eyes set on squaring up the series after blowing past the Pacers in a dominant 126-104 road win in Game 3 on Friday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 43 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Max Strus added 20 points with seven rebounds and seven assists, Jarrett Allen scored 19 points with 12 rebounds and two blocks, while Evan Mobley chipped in with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.

As a team, the Cavaliers shot 42 percent from the field and 14 of 47 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest with a 34-13 second quarter domination. This allowed them to cruise in the second half and rest Darius Garland early after just 25 minutes of action.

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers now find themselves in a real battle after getting trampled by the Cavaliers at home in Game 3. Bennedict Mathurin led the team with 23 points on six of 11 shooting, Pascal Siakam added 18 points while Myles Turner chipped in with 15 points.

As a team, the Pacers shot just 43 percent from the field and nine of 30 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the Cavaliers early on. They just couldn’t recover after scoring just 13 points in the second quarter to trail by 21 points going into halftime. Tyrese Haliburton was the star in Game 2, but he went missing in this contest as he scored just four points on two of eight shooting in 30 minutes of action.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won each of their last 10 Sunday games.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last two games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last 10 home games following a home loss.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight playoff games against Central Division opponents following a win.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won 14 of their last 16 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Pacers have lost four of their last five home games against Cavaliers teams that held a winning record.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of the last seven games between the Cavaliers and Pacers.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Cavaliers teams that held a winning record.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
• De’Andre Hunter is one of only five players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction

The Cavaliers were able to finally take a stand in the series with a crucial win in Game 3, and they made it look easy as Mitchell was finally able to get plenty of support from the rest of his team. Garland showed plenty of rust in his return to the lineup, but was hardly needed in Game 3, but there is still room for improvement for the Cavaliers, while the Pacers might have peaked in Game 2. I think the Pacers get off to a better start and put up a stiffer challenge, but with the line so short, I think the Cavaliers square things up with a win and cover on the road.

Read the rest of "Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction 5/11/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $10,800

Veteran guard Donovan Mitchell has been a solid performer for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. With that said, how has Mitchell performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s review Mitchell’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 75 games that Donovan Mitchell played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Mitchell has averaged 24.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 75 games that Donovan Mitchell has played this season, Mitchell has compiled a 44.3% field goal percentage, a 36.8% three-point percentage, and an 82.8% free throw percentage.

These two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Mitchell perform in the most recent matchup with the Pacers? Who prevailed? In the Indiana Pacers 120-119 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers three days ago, Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell played rather well. The talented guard tallied 48 points, five rebounds, nine assists, four steals and one block in the Pacers defeat of the Cavaliers.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Remember to keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my view, Donovan Mitchell is the player most likely to accumulate the highest number of DraftKings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am rolling with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell at the captain position for this one game DraftKings NBA Showdown contest slate.

Flex Plays

Myles Turner, Center, Indiana Pacers $7,400

Veteran center Myles Turner has been a key contributor for the Indiana Pacers this season. Let’s review Turner’s game data from this season to better shed light on my previous statement.

In 79 games that center Myles Turner has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season, Turner is averaging 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks a game.

In conclusion, I fully expect Myles Turner to continue his outstanding play in this evening’s Eastern Conference playoff game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this playoff NBA game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $11,000: Jarrett Allen, Center (Cleveland Cavaliers) $7,800: Pascal Siakam, Power Forward (Indiana Pacers) $8,000.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Cavaliers vs. Pacers 5/9/25" at Sports Chat Place

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to have any chance of winning this series. The Cavs have seen 10 of their 20 losses come since March 16. The Cavs have lost three or more straight games just twice this season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122.5 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 103.8 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.3 points and 4.8 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 24 points and 7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 9.7 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 84.7 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 38.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers are 6-1 in these playoffs and have a chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Pacers have won 21 of their last 26 games. The Pacers have lost two home games since February 26.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 118.6 points on 50.6 percent shooting and allowing 111.7 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.4 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Nesmith is grabbing 6.3 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 34.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won each of their last seven home games against Central Division opponents.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last five games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 playoff games against Central Division opponents.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine playoff games against the Cavaliers.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last eight road games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The Pacers have lost Game 3 in four of their last five playoff series’ when leading the series 2-0.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Cavaliers and Pacers.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
• Ty Jerome ranks 4th amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.9%) this season.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Injury Report

Darius Garland is questionable for the Cavaliers with a toe injury. Garland hasn’t played since game 2 of the first round. De’Andre Hunter is questionable with a thumb injury after missing game 2. Evan Mobley is questionable with an ankle injury after missing game 2.

The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction

This line makes absolutely no sense to me. It’s 100 percent riding on this being a must-win for the Cavs and just assuming they’ll find a way. However, that’s an insane way to go about things. The Cavs are still dealing with injuries to three of their best players, and the Pacers have played great ball over these last few months, which includes wins in 21 of their last 26 games.

The Pacers are lighting the world on fire offensively, and usually role players play even better at home. The Pacers have covered seven of their last nine games, and six of those covers were outright wins. This is a good Pacers team that has the offensive horses to beat anybody in this field. I like the Pacers to win outright, regardless of the Cavs injury report. The Pacers go up 3-0 in the series.

Read the rest of "Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction 5/9/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tomorrow night’s Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $10,800

Veteran guard Donovan Mitchell has been a standout performer for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Having stated that, how has Mitchell performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s review Mitchell’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 74 games that Donovan Mitchell played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Mitchell has averaged 24.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.3 steals a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 74 games that Donovan Mitchell has played this season, Mitchell has compiled a 44.3% field goal percentage, a 36.8% three-point percentage, and an 82.8% free throw percentage.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Mitchell perform in the most recent matchup with the Pacers? In the Indiana Pacers 121-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week, Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell played rather well. More specifically, the talented guard tallied 33 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in the Pacers defeat of the Cavaliers.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Remember to keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my view, Donovan Mitchell is the player most likely to accumulate the highest number of DraftKings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am rolling with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell at the captain position for this one game DraftKings NBA Showdown contest slate.

Flex Plays

Jarrett Allen, Center, Cleveland Cavaliers $8,000

In addition to guard Donovan Mitchell. center Jarrett Allen has been a key contributor for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Let’s review Allen’s game data from this season to better shed light on my previous statement.

In 86 games that center Jarrett Allen has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA season, Allen is averaging 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks a game.

In conclusion, I fully expect Jarrett Allen to continue his outstanding play in tomorrow night’s Eastern Conference playoff game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $11,000: Ty Jerome, Point Guard (Cleveland Cavaliers) $6,400: Pascal Siakam, Power Forward (Indiana Pacers) $9,200.

Read the rest of "Draftkings Best NBA Showdown Picks: Pacers vs. Cavaliers 5/6/25" at Sports Chat Place

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers are 5-1 in these playoffs and have a chance to take a 2-0 series lead. The Pacers have won 20 of their last 25 games. The Pacers have won seven of their last 10 road games.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 118.3 points on 50.4 percent shooting and allowing 110.5 points on 45.4 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 19.3 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard is the third double-digit scorer, and Myles Turner is grabbing 5.8 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 41.6 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 35.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.7 rebounds per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to have a real chance of winning this series. The Cavs have seen nine of their 19 losses come since March 16.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 123.2 points on 50.5 percent shooting and allowing 100.6 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.6 points and 4 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 24 points and 7 assists. Ty Jerome is the third double-digit scorer and Evan Mobley is grabbing 7.2 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 84.3 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 10 games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The Pacers have lost nine of their last 10 playoff road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last seven home games following a home loss.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Central Division opponents after winning as underdogs.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won seven of their last eight games against Central Division opponents.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last four games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last seven playoff road games against the Cavaliers.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 playoff home games against Central Division opponents.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
• Ty Jerome ranks 4th amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.9%) this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Injury Report

Darius Garland is questionable for the Cavaliers with a toe injury. Garland hasn’t played since game 2 of the first round. De’Andre Hunter is questionable with a thumb injury, and Evan Mobley is questionable with an ankle injury.

The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction

The Cavs are going to be big favorites because this is a must-win for them, as you can’t think you can win the series, dropping two straight at home. The Cavs were the better team this season and are also 51-35-1 ATS overall. However, the Pacers have been one of the best teams in the NBA since January, and they had a field day against the Cavs in game 1 offensively.

The Pacers have now won four of the last five games against the Cavs, which includes three straight wins. We’re also now seeing Mobley and Hunter on the injury report on top of Garland who hasn’t played in nearly two weeks. With the way the Pacers are scoring the ball, the confidence they’re playing with and the Cavs injuries, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them spring another upset in this series. Give me the points.

Read the rest of "Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction 5/6/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Pascal Siakam, Forward, Indiana Pacers $9,200

Talented power forward Pascal Siakam has been a key contributor for the Indiana Pacers this season. Let’s dive into Siakam’s game data from this season to better shed light on his contributions to his team.

In the 84 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged 20.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 84 games that Pascal Siakam has played for the Pacers this season, Siakam is averaging a robust 37.2 Draftkings points a contest.

More recently, in the Indiana Pacers 123-115 win over the Milwaukee Bucks last month, Indiana power forward played exceptionally well. More specifically, the talented power forward tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Pacers defeat of the Bucks.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

For the reasons just outlined above, I am backing Pascal Siakam at the captain position for this one game NBA DFS slate.

Flex Plays

Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $10,600

Veteran guard Donovan Mitchell has been an essential part of the Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup this season. Having stated that, how has Mitchell performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Mitchell’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 74 games that Donovan Mitchell played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Mitchell has averaged 24.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 74 games that Donovan Mitchell has played this season, Mitchell has compiled a 44.3% field goal percentage, a 36.8% three-point percentage, and an 82.8% free throw percentage.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Jarrett Allen, Center (Cleveland Cavaliers) $8,600: Ty Jerome, Point Guard (Cleveland Cavaliers) $5,400.

Read the rest of "Draftkings Best NBA Showdown Picks: Pacers vs. Cavaliers 5/4/25" at Sports Chat Place

Here’s a Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Cavaliers vs Pacers Pick.

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers are coming into this series fresh off a 4-1 series win over the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Pascal Siakam has been leading them in the scoring with averages of 19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Tyrese Haliburton averaged 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 11.6 assists per game. Myles Turner averaged 16.8 points and 2.2 blocks per game, while Andrew Nembhard is averaging 15.0 points and 4.8 assists per game.

As a team, the Pacers scored 117.8 points per game while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from the 3-point line. But the most encouraging aspect from their effort in the first round is that they have a total of seven players averaging at least 10 points per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be fully rested as they are coming into this one as they were able to sweep the Heat with ease in the first round of the playoffs. Darius Garland missed a couple of games but is leading the team in scoring with an average of 24.0 points and 7.0 assists per game. Donovan Mitchell has averaged 23.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Ty Jerome and Evan Mobley are both averaging 16.3 points per game, while Jarrett Allen has averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game so far in these playoffs.

As a team, the Cavaliers are scoring 126.0 points per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from the 3-point line. On the defensive end, the Cavaliers allowed just 106.0 points per game, and the average margin of victory in the sweep was 30.5 points per game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 10 games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Pacers have lost each of their last nine playoff road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 road games following a win.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games when playing with a rest advantage.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won each of their last nine Sunday games.
• The Cavaliers have lost four of their last five Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games at Rocket Arena following a road win.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last nine Sunday games.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
• Ty Jerome ranks 4th amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.9%) this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction

The Pacers are slightly shorthanded once again with Isaiah Jackson still ruled out, while the Cavaliers are keeping an eye on Darius Garland, who sat out the last two games and is questionable with a toe injury. These teams met four times in the regular season, with the Pacers winning the series by 3-1.

The Cavaliers could be missing Garland once again, but the Cavaliers are still clear favorites at home, where they finished with a 34-7 record this season. You can make an argument for either side, but the Cavaliers have looked near unbeatable during these playoffs. I think they draw first blood with a relatively comfortable win and cover at home behind big games from Mitchell and Mobley.

Read the rest of "Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction 5/4/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks need a win to save their season and force a game 6 on Friday. The Bucks have split their last eight games. The Bucks are looking at three straight first round exits.

The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 108.3 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 117.5 points on 50.9 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 33.8 points and 14.3 rebounds, while Gary Trent Jr. is averaging 15.3 points and 1.5 rebounds. Bobby Portis is the third double-digit scorer, and Kevin Porter Jr. is grabbing 3.8 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and 74.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 40 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.3 rebounds per game.

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers look to advance to the second round second straight years for the first time since the 2013-14 season. The Pacers have won 18 of their last 23 games. The Pacers have won seven of their last eight home games.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 117.5 points on 50.9 percent shooting and allowing 108.3 points on 45.3 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 22.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 15.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton is the third double-digit scorer, and Andrew Nembhard is grabbing 2.8 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 35.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Bucks have lost each of their last nine road games against Pacers teams that held a winning record.
• The Pacers have won each of their last 10 games as home favorites against the Bucks.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last six playoff home games.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 Eastern Conference First Round games as road underdogs.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win

• The Pacers have lost eight of their last nine Game 5s of a playoff series.
• The Bucks have won four of their last six games as underdogs.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
• The Bucks have covered the spread in 10 of their last 12 road games against Central Division opponents after losing as favorites.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (1308) this season.
• Kevin Porter Jr. is one of only two players to have recorded a triple-double off the bench this season.

Pacers vs Bucks Injury Report

Tyler Smith is dotubful for the Milwaukee Bucks with an ankle injury. Smith has played 31 minutes in the month of April and hasn’t played in two weeks. Damian Lillard is out with a torn Achilles he suffered in game four.

The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles. Bennedict Mathurin is questionable with an abdominal contusion. Mathurin missed game four with the injury.

Pacers vs Bucks Prediction

The Bucks have been badly outplayed in three of the four games this series, and now they won’t have Lillard. The favorite has covered seven of the last nine games between the Bucks and Pacers. The Bucks just don’t have the defensive ability to defend the ball movement of the Pacers, and it’s why Indiana has topped 120 points in two of the last three games. Antetokounmpo is dominating his part, but there’s not enough around him for it to matter. This has the potential to get ugly. Give me the Pacers in a double-digit win as they move onto the second round.

Read the rest of "Pacers vs Bucks Prediction 4/29/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tomorrow night’s Milwaukee vs. Indiana matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Pascal Siakam, Forward, Indiana Pacers $9,200

Talented power forward Pascal Siakam has been a key contributor for the Indiana Pacers this season. Let’s dive into Siakam’s game data from this season to better shed light on his contributions to his team.

In the 82 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged 20.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 82 games that Pascal Siakam has played for the Pacers this season, Siakam is averaging a robust 37.2 Draftkings points a contest.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How has Siakam performed in the matchups with the Bucks? In the Indiana Pacers 123-115 win over the Milwaukee Bucks five days ago, Indiana power forward played exceptionally well. More specifically, the talented power forward tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Pacers defeat of the Bucks.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

For the reasons just outlined above, I am backing Pascal Siakam at the captain position for this one game NBA DFS slate.

Flex Plays

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks $13,600

In the 71 games that Antetokounmpo played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Antetokounmpo is averaging a whopping 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 71 games that Antetokounmpo has played this season, Antetokounmpo has compiled a 60.1% field goal percentage, a 22.2% three-point percentage and a 61.7% free throw percentage.

In conclusion, I fully expect Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to continue his outstanding play in tomorrow night’s NBA playoff game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this Eastern Conference playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $10,400: Myles Turner, Center (Indiana Pacers) $8,200: Kevin Porter Jr., Point Guard (Milwaukee Bucks) $7,000: Gary Trent Jr., Guard (Milwaukee Bucks) $6,000.

Read the rest of "Draftkings Best NBA Showdown Picks: Bucks vs. Pacers 4/29/25" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks $13,600

Talented forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the leader in the paint that the Milwaukee Bucks have needed to win games this season. Having stated that, how has Antetokounmpo played from a statistical perspective? Let’s take a look at Antetokounmpo’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 70 games that Antetokounmpo played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Antetokounmpo is averaging a whopping 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 70 games that Antetokounmpo has played this season, Antetokounmpo has compiled a 60.1% field goal percentage, a 22.2% three-point percentage and a 61.7% free throw percentage.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Antetokounmpo perform in the most recent matchup? In the Milwaukee Bucks dominant 117-101 win over the Indiana Pacers two days ago, Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo played rather well. More specifically, the veteran forward tallied 37 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and one steal in the Bucks defeat of the Pacers.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Remember to keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my opinion, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. With that said, I am rolling with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Pascal Siakam, Power Forward, Indiana Pacers $9,000

Talented power forward Pascal Siakam has been a key contributor for the Indiana Pacers this season. Let’s dive into Siakam’s game data from this season to better shed light on his contributions to his team.

In the 81 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged 20.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $10,200: Damian Lillard, Point Guard (Milwaukee Bucks) $10,000: Gary Trent Jr., Guard (Milwaukee Bucks) $5,400.

Read the rest of "Draftkings Best NBA Showdown Picks: Pacers vs. Bucks 4/27/25" at Sports Chat Place

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers had all the momentum coming into Milwaukee, but now they find themselves in a real series battle after they lost by 117-101 in Game 3 on Friday. Pascal Siakam led the team with 28 points on 12 of 19 shooting, Aaron Nesmith added 18 points with seven rebounds and three assists, while Tyrese Haliburton tallied 14 points with seven rebounds and 10 assists.

As a team, the Pacers shot 43 percent from the field and 13 of 41 from the 3-point line as they started strong with 31 points in the second quarter to take a 10-point lead into halftime. Only to get completely blown out by 70-44 in the second half as they just had no answer for the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr who torched them for 37 points apiece. The Pacers only had three players finishing in double figures in scoring, and they needed much more from Myles Turner, who shot just one of nine for his six points with four turnovers.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are still trailing in the series, but they must be brimming with confidence following their big win in Game 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his terrific form with 37 points, 12 rebounds and six assists on 14 of 19 shooting, Gary Trent Jr drained nine 3-pointers to finish with 37 points on 11 of 16 shooting while AJ Green chipped in with 12 points off the bench.

As a team, the Bucks shot 47 percent from the field and 15 of 41 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in deep trouble when they started to fall behind going into halftime. Before they dominated the third quarter by 39-18 to make it look easy in the end. Damian Lillard had a rough game as he shot just two of 12 for his seven points, while Kevin Porter Jr finished scoreless on zero of five shooting off the bench.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win

• The home team has won each of the Bucks’ last seven Eastern Conference First Round games.
• The Pacers have lost each of their last four games at Fiserv Forum.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Bucks’ last six playoff games.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine Eastern Conference First Round games as underdogs.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Bucks have lost each of their last seven playoff games following a win.
• The Pacers have won each of their last four games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven playoff games following a win.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last six playoff games against Central Division opponents following a loss.

Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (1308) this season.
• Damian Lillard ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FT% (92.1%) this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Bucks vs Pacers Prediction

The Pacers are still keeping an eye on Bennedict Mathurin who is questionable due to an adominal contusion, while the Bucks have listed Tyler Smith as questionable. The Pacers missed out on a big chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. I think it may come back to bite them, as the Bucks were able to win comfortably in Game 3 despite a combined seven points from Lillard and Porter Jr, which won’t happen again this season.

The Pacers are still a long way from being in trouble as they still hold home-court advantage, but the Bucks hold the momentum. Antetokounmpo is still on fire, and I think they can square things up with a narrow win and cover at home in this spot.

Read the rest of "Bucks vs Pacers Prediction 4/27/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks $13,600

Talented forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the leader in the paint that the Milwaukee Bucks have needed to win games this season. Having stated that, how has Antetokounmpo played from a statistical perspective? Let’s take a look at Antetokounmpo’s relevant game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 69 games that Antetokounmpo played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Antetokounmpo is averaging a whopping 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 69 games that Antetokounmpo has played this season, Antetokounmpo has compiled a 60.1% field goal percentage, a 22.2% three-point percentage and a 61.7% free throw percentage.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Antetokounmpo perform in the most recent matchup? In the Indiana Pacers 123-115 win over the Milwaukee Bucks three days ago, Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo played rather well. More specifically, the veteran forward amassed 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and one block in the Pacers defeat of the Bucks.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Remember to keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my opinion, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. With that said, I am rolling with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Pascal Siakam, Power Forward, Indiana Pacers $9,400

Veteran power forward Pascal Siakam has certainly been a standout performer for the Indiana Pacers this season. Let’s dive into Siakam’s game data from this season to better shed light on his contributions to his team.

In the 80 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged 20.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Indiana Pacers) $10,400: Damian Lillard, Point Guard (Milwaukee Bucks) $9,800: Brook Lopez, Center (Milwaukee Bucks) $6,000.

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Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers look for a statement win to take a 3-0 series lead. The Pacers have won 17 of their last 21 games.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 120 points on 50.3 percent shooting and allowing 106.5 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 24.5 points and 9 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 17 points and 3.5 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard is the third double-digit scorer, and Tyrese Haliburton is grabbing 6 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.5 rebounds per game.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks need a win to have any real shot of winning this series. The Bucks ended the regular season with eight straight wins and have gotten killed defensively in their last two games.

The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 106.5 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 120 points on 50.3 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 35 points and 15 rebounds, while Bobby Portis is averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds. Damian Lillard is the third double-digit scorer, and Kevin Porter Jr. is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 31.9 percent from beyond the arc and 68.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 41.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win

• The Pacers have lost each of their last nine Eastern Conference First Round road games following a win.
• The Bucks have won each of their last seven home games against the Pacers following a loss.
• The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last six home games against the Pacers following a road loss.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games following a win.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Bucks have lost seven of their last eight playoff games as favorites.
• The Pacers have won nine of their last 10 games.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last seven playoff games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine playoff games as favorites.

Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (1308) this season.
• Damian Lillard ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FT% (92.1%) this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Bucks vs Pacers Injury Report

Tyler Smith is questionable for the Milwaukee Bucks with an ankle injury. Smith has played 31 minutes in the month of April.

The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.

Bucks vs Pacers Prediction

You can consider the points with the Pacers, as they just haven’t missed in this series and if that continues, they’re going to cruise to a 3-0 lead. However, we know role players don’t perform as well on the road, so I do expect some regression from the Pacers. Also, the Bucks had their chances to win game 2. Lillard has a game under his belt and should be better after getting some of the rust off.

The Bucks won 27 games at home this season, and coach Doc Rivers seemed confident after a game 2 loss. I had the Bucks before the series and despite an 0-2 loss, I’m not ready to write them off just yet. I don’t love the line as it’s a big swing, but I’ll still lean Bucks in a must win. 

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Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks hope to rebound from a blowout loss to even up the series at 1-1. The Bucks have won eight of their last nine games.

The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 98 points on 41.7 percent shooting and allowing 117 points on 51.9 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 36 points and 12 rebounds, while AJ Green is averaging 15 points and 3 rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. is the third double-digit scorer, and Kevin Porter Jr. is grabbing 5 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 24.3 percent from beyond the arc and 67.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 38.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41 rebounds per game.

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers look for another win to take a comfortable 2-0 series lead. The Pacers have lost just two home games since February 26.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 117 points on 51.9 percent shooting and allowing 98 points on 41.7 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 25 points and 7 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 19 points and 5 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard is the third double-digit scorer, and Benedict Mathurin is grabbing 5 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 24.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Bucks have lost each of their last eight road games against Pacers teams that held a winning record.
• The Pacers have won each of their last nine games as home favorites against the Bucks.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine Eastern Conference First Round games as road underdogs.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight playoff home games.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win

• The Bucks have won each of their last seven night games.
• The Pacers have lost eight of their last nine Game 2s of a playoff series.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Bucks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against the Pacers following a road loss.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (1308) this season.
• Taurean Prince ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for 3P% (43.9%) this season.

Pacers vs Bucks Injury Report

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without Tyler Smith. Damian Lillard is questionable with a calf injury. Lillard was dealing with a blood clot situation and hasn’t played since March 18. Lillard has played in 65 career playoff games and adds a much-needed scoring option to the Bucks.

The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.

Pacers vs Bucks Prediction

I liked the Bucks to win this series because they have the best player on the court, and they’re a big team that can be physical with the Pacers. For this game, it depends on if Lillard returns. Watch the injury report before betting. The Bucks clearly have offensive issues, but a return of Lillard changes things and takes pressure off Antetokounmpo to do everything.

Seeing Lillard talk with Tyrese Haliburton during game 1 gives me confidence in the Bucks. Like Luka, Lillard is one of those guys you don’t want to upset, and if he plays, the Bucks could be in business. Also, remember the Pacers are 37-45-1 ATS despite 51 wins. The Bucks have 44 covers and are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games as an underdog. Again, a lot has to do with the potential return of Lillard, but at the time of this writing give me the bucket with the Bucks.

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Before we dive into the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Pascal Siakam, Power Forward, Indiana Pacers $8,800

Veteran power forward Pascal Siakam has certainly been an essential part for the Indiana Pacers starting lineup this season. With that said how has the talented power forward contributed to his team from a statistical perspective? Let’s dive into Siakam’s game data from this season to answer that question.

In the 79 games that power forward Pascal Siakam has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games), Siakam has averaged a robust 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

More recently, in the Indiana Pacers 117-98 win over the Milwaukee Bucks two days ago, Indiana power forward Pascal Siakam played exceptionally well. More specifically, Siakam accumulated 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal and in the Indiana Pacers victory over the Bucks.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the Indiana Pacers win over the Bucks just mentioned, Pacers power forward Pascal Siakam amassed a massive 41.8 Draftkings points. What did we learn from the data just presented? Clearly, Pascal Siakam can post a high number of DFS points on any given night. I fully expect that trend to continue in this evening’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In my view, Pascal Siakam’s low Draftkings price of only $8,800 presents the best fantasy value on this NBA DFS slate. For that specific reason, I am backing Indiana Pacers power forward Pascal Siakam at the captain position for this single game DraftKings NBA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Myles Turner, Center, Indiana Pacers $8,000

In addition to power forward Pascal Siakam, center Myles Turner has been a key contributor to the Indiana Pacers overall team achievements this season.

In the 73 games that Myles Turner has played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA season, Turner has averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.1 blocks and 0.8 steals a game.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the 73 games that Myle Turner has played for the Indiana Pacers this season, Turner has averaged 32.2 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Power Forward (Milwaukee Bucks) $14,400: Kevin Porter Jr., Point Guard (Milwaukee Bucks) $5,800.

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