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 Boston Celtics 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 tomorrow night’s New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Karl-Anthony Towns, Center, New York Knicks $9,000

Talented 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 79 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 79 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.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Karl-Anthony Towns perform in the most recent matchup? Who won? In the New York Knicks thrilling 91-90 win over the New York Knicks two days ago, Towns played exceptionally well. Let me be more specific. Towns amassed a robust 21 points, 17 rebounds, one assist and one block in the New York Knicks defeat of the Celtics.

In my view, Karl-Anthony Towns is the player most likely to score the highest Draftkings points in this NBA Eastern Conference playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing talented New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA DFS Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Jalen Brunson, Point Guard, New York Knicks $9,400

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?

More recently, in the New York Knicks 108-105 victory over the Boston Celtics four days ago, New York point guard Jalen Brunson tallied 29 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals in 44 minutes of play.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Jayson Tatum, Forward (Boston Celtics) $10,800: Josh Hart, Forward (New York Knicks) $8,000: Jaylen Brown, Forward (Boston Celtics) $8,600.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Celtics vs. Knicks 5/9/25" 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

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers look to complete the sweep and make it out of the first round back-to-back years for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The Cavs have seen eight of their 18 losses come since March 16. The Cavs have seen five of their last seven losses come on the road.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122 points on 50.8 percent shooting and allowing 99.7 points on 47.7 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24.3 points and 3.7 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 24 points and 7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Ty Jerome is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc and 86.4 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 40.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.7 rebounds per game.

Miami Heat Betting Preview

The Miami Heat look to prevent the sweep and force a game 5 on Wednesday. The Heat have lost four of their last five home games. The Heat have lost seven straight home playoff games overall.

The Miami Heat are averaging 99.7 points on 47.7 percent shooting and allowing 122 points on 50.8 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 22.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Bam Adebayo is averaging 19 points and 4.3 assists. Davion Mitchell is the third double-digit scorer, and Andrew Wiggins is grabbing 2.7 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 40.9 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 43 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.7 rebounds per game.

Why the Miami Heat will win

• The Cavaliers have lost 10 of their last 11 games at Kaseya Center following a road win.
• The home team has won nine of the Cavaliers’ last 10 Eastern Conference First Round games.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games at Kaseya Center following a road win.
• The Heat have covered the spread in six of their last seven home games against the Cavaliers following a home loss.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 12 night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Heat have lost each of their last seven playoff home games.
• The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the Cavaliers’ last eight games at Kaseya Center.
• The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five playoff home games.

Miami Heat Player Facts

• Tyler Herro ranks T7th in the league for fast break points (290) this season.
• Bam Adebayo ranks 4th amongst qualified Forwards for rebounds per game (9.6) 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.

Heat vs Cavaliers Injury Report

The Miami Heat will be without Dru Smith, Kevin Love, Terry Rozier, and Isaiah Stevens.

Darius Garland is questionable for the Cavaliers with a toe injury. He missed game 3 with the injury. Garland has played 63 minutes in this series and is shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three.

Heat vs Cavaliers Prediction

The Heat are a prideful bunch that will play hard in hopes of not getting swept. The problem is game 3 was so ugly it probably doesn’t matter. The Cavs have gotten whatever they want offensively in this series and even without Garland in game 3, they scored 124 points on 53.5 percent shooting.

The Cavs have won five straight games against the Heat since January, and those games have been won by an average of 18.4 points. The Heat just don’t have enough to bother the Cavaliers for 48 minutes. The Cavs also have a chance to get some needed rest by completing the sweep, so there’s motivation here. It would give Garland a chance to heal his toe. Give me the Cavs in a double-digit win for a sweep of the Heat on Monday night.

Read the rest of "Heat vs Cavaliers Prediction 4/28/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 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 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $11,000

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 73 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 73 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 has Mitchell performed in the matchups with the Heat? In the Cleveland Cavaliers convincing 121-112 win over the Miami Heat four days ago, Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell played rather well. More specifically, the talented guard tallied 30 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal in the Cavaliers defeat of the Heat.

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 $8,600

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 85 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): Tyler Herro, Point Guard (Miami Heat) $10,200: Ty Jerome, Point Guard (Cleveland Cavaliers) $7,000: Kel’el Ware, Center (Miami Heat) $4,800.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Heat vs. Cavaliers 4/28/25" at Sports Chat Place

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to all but end this series with a win and 3-0 lead. The Cavs have seen eight of their 18 losses come since March 16. The Cavs have seen five of their last seven losses come on the road.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 121 points on 49.4 percent shooting and allowing 106 points on 50.3 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 30 points and 5 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 24 points and 7 assists. Ty Jerome is the third double-digit scorer and Evan Mobley is grabbing 6.5 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 45.5 percent from beyond the arc and 87.2 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 38.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38 rebounds per game.

Miami Heat Betting Preview

The Miami Heat need a win here to have any chance of winning this series. The Heat have seen one of their last seven wins come on the road. The Heat have lost three of their last four home games.

The Miami Heat are averaging 106 points on 50.3 percent shooting and allowing 121 points on 49.4 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 27 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Davion Mitchell is averaging 18 points and 7.5 assists. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer, and Andrew Wiggins is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 75 percent from the free-throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 45.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Miami Heat will win

• The Heat have won each of their last 14 home games against the Cavaliers following a road loss.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last six Eastern Conference First Round road games.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Eastern Conference First Round road games.
• The Heat have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 home games against the Cavaliers following a loss.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 17 Saturday games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Heat have lost each of their last 12 games as home underdogs following a loss.
• The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The favorites have covered the spread in 12 of the Cavaliers’ last 14 games at Kaseya Center.

Miami Heat Player Facts

• Tyler Herro ranks T7th in the league for fast break points (290) this season.
• Bam Adebayo ranks 4th amongst qualified Forwards for rebounds per game (9.6) 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.

Heat vs Cavaliers Injury Report

Darius Garland is questionable for the Cavaliers with a toe injury. Garland has played 63 minutes in this series and is shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three.

The Miami Heat will be without Dru Smith, Kevin Love, Terry Rozier, and Isaiah Stevens.

Heat vs Cavaliers Prediction

If the Heat are going to make this a series, this is a must-win. The Heat had their chances to steal game 2 but couldn’t get a defensive stop. Game 1 was also closer than the score indicated, as that was a single-digit game for much of the second half. At home, you’d think the Heat get better production from their role players. Also, the Cavs are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games as a favorite of five or more points.

The Heat have covered seven of their last nine games as an underdog. The Heat are also getting a potential break if Garland isn’t 100 percent or even has to sit for this one. I’m grabbing the points in a game the Heat could even win outright, given how competitive they’ve been in the first two contests.

Read the rest of "Heat vs Cavaliers Prediction 4/26/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 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 Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers $10,200

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

In the 71 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 71 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 met three days ago. Who won? How did Donovan Mitchell perform in the contest? In the Cleveland Cavaliers dominant 121-100 win over the Miami Heat, Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell amassed 30 points, five rebounds, four assists and four three steals.

What did we learn? The data just presented clearly illustrates that Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell can post a high number of DFS points on any given night. I fully expect that trend to continue in tonight’s playoff matchup with the Miami Heat.

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

Bam Adebayo, Center, Miami Heat $10,400

Veteran center Bam Adebayo has certainly been an essential part of the Miami Heat starting lineup this season. Let’s review Adebayo’s game data from this season to better shed light on my previous statement.

In 79 games that forward Bam Adebayo has played for the Miami Heat in the 2024 NBA regular season, Adebayo is averaging 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

In conclusion, I fully expect Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo to continue his outstanding play in this evening’s Eastern Conference playoff game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA game (Draftkings price noted): Tyler Herro, Point Guard (Miami Heat) $9,800: Ty Jerome, Point Guard (Cleveland Cavaliers) $4,800: Kel’el Ware, Center (Miami Heat) $6,000.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Heat vs. Cavaliers 4/23/25" at Sports Chat Place

Miami Heat Betting Preview

The Miami Heat look for a win after losing game 1 by 21 points. The Heat have lost six of their last nine games since their six-game winning streak.

The Miami Heat are averaging 110 points on 48.8 percent shooting and allowing 121 points on 51.1 percent shooting. Bam Adebayo is averaging 24 points and 9 rebounds, while Tyler Herro is averaging 21 points and 3 rebounds. Davion Mitchell is the third double-digit scorer, and Andrew Wiggins is grabbing 6 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 41.9 percent from beyond the arc and 75 percent from the free-throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 41.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37 rebounds per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers look for a quick 2-0 start after cruising in the series opener. The Cavs have seen eight of their 18 losses come since March 16.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 121 points on 51.1 percent shooting and allowing 100 points on 48.8 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 30 points and 4 assists, while Ty Jerome is averaging 28 points and 3 assists. Darius Garland is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 11 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 41.9 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 41.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 11 playoff home games against Southeast Division opponents.
• The Heat have lost 10 of their last 11 road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the Cavaliers’ last eight Eastern Conference First Round games.
• The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four Eastern Conference First Round games.

Why the Miami Heat will win

• The Heat have won four of their last five games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last four playoff games following a win.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games following a win.
• The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Cavaliers following a loss.

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.

Miami Heat Player Facts

• Tyler Herro ranks T7th in the league for fast break points (290) this season.
• Bam Adebayo ranks 4th amongst qualified Forwards for rebounds per game (9.6) this season.

Cavaliers vs Heat Injury Report

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

The Miami Heat will be without Dru Smith, Kevin Love, Terry Rozier, and Isaiah Stevens.

Cavaliers vs Heat Prediction

The Cavs got whatever they wanted offensively in game 1 and there’s a clear talent gap here. The Cavaliers are also 49-33-1 ATS on the season, so I won’t talk you off the ledge if looking at the chalk again. However, game 1 was closer than the final score indicated, as it was a single-digit game for much of the second half. The Cavs just had an answer every time the Heat cut it close.

Erik Spoelstra is still the best coach in the league, and you’d think adjustments are coming. The Heat are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games as a double-digit underdog. The Cavs have failed to cover seven of their last 12 games as a double-digit favorite. The Cavs should win, but the Heat are too well coached to get blown off the court consistently. I’ll grab the points.

Read the rest of "Cavaliers vs Heat Prediction 4/23/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 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 Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Bam Adebayo, Power Forward, Miami Heat $10,400

Veteran power forward Bam Adebayo has certainly been an essential part of the Miami Heat starting lineup this season. Let’s review Adebayo’s relevant game data from this season to better shed light on the veteran center’s overall contributions to his team.

In 79 games that power forward Bam Adebayo has played for the Miami Heat in the 2024 NBA season, Adebayo is averaging a robust 18.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 79 games that Bam Adebayo has played for the Heat this season, Adebayo compiled a 48.5% field goal percentage, a 35.7% three-point percentage and a 76.5% free throw percentage.

More recently, in the Miami Heat’s 123-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks two days ago, Miami power forward Bam Adebayo played exceptionally well. Let me be more specific. Heat power forward Bam Adebayo accumulated 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and two steals in the Miami Heat’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the Heat’s win over the Hawks, power forward Bam Adebayo amassed a massive 53.3 Draftkings points. Clearly, Abebayo can post a high number of DFS points on any given night. I fully expect that trend to continue in tonight’s matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In my view, Bam Adebayo is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing Miami Heat power forward Bam Adebayo at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA DFS Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Tyler Herro, Point Guard, Miami Heat $10,000

In addition to power forward Bam Adebayo, point guard Tyler Herro has been a standout performer for the Miami Heat this season. With that said, how has the Herro performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review the veteran point guard’s game data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Heat vs. Cavaliers 4/20/25" at Sports Chat Place

Miami Heat Betting Preview

The Miami Heat looked like they were going to miss out on the playoffs for most of the regular season, but they reeled off eight wins from their past 12 games to get into the Play-In Tournament. They beat the Bulls and the Hawks. In Friday’s 123-114 win over the Hawks, Tyler Herro led the team with 30 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on 10 of 21 shooting. Andrew Wiggins added 20 points with eight rebounds and eight assists, Bam Adebayo tallied 17 points with 11 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks, while Davion Mitchell chipped in with 16 points off the bench.

As a team, the Heat shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 42 from the 3-point line as they looked in trouble when they squandered a 17-point lead to allow the Hawks to force overtime. However, they connected on three straight 3-pointers in overtime to claim the win and earn their ticket to the NBA Playoffs. 

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming into these playoffs with plenty of confidence, as they racked up 64 wins in the regular season to earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Donovan Mitchell led the team with averages of 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Darius Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game.

Evan Mobley took his game to another level with averages of 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. Jarrett Allen played all 82 games and averaged 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. As a team, the Cavaliers scored 121.9 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from the 3-point line, but their strength was their scoring depth and their defense which ranked second in the league overall. 

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 10 playoff home games against Southeast Division opponents following a loss.
• The Heat have lost each of their last eight road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven night games following an overtime win.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last six home games following a home loss.

Why the Miami Heat will win

• The Heat have won four of their last five playoff games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• The Cavaliers have lost four of their last five Game 1s of a playoff series.
• The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Sunday games at Rocket Arena.

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.

Miami Heat Player Facts

• Kyle Anderson ranks 6th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.9) this season.
• Tyler Herro ranks T7th in the league for fast break points (290) this season.

Cavaliers vs Heat Prediction

The Heat are still missing Kevin Love due to personal reasons, while the Cavaliers don’t have a single player listed on the injury report. The Heat have gone through so much already this season, but they refused to give up and had to take the scenic route through the Play-In Tournament to earn their ticket to the NBA Playoffs.

In contrast, the Cavaliers were one of the most consistent teams in the league all season, and they have been resting players for weeks now as they had the top seed locked up early. The Cavaliers beat the Heat in two of three meetings during the regular season, but I will be surprised if this series goes past four games. The Cavaliers are primed for a deep run, and I think it starts with a dominant win and cover at home in this one.

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Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Indiana Pacers recently played the Wizards, Cavs, and Magic. The Pacers have won seven of their last 10 games and will play the Bucks in the playoffs.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 117.3 points on 48.9 percent shooting and allowing 115.1 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.2 points and 6.9 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. Benedict Mathurin is the third double-digit scorer, and Myles Turner is grabbing 6.6 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and 78.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.6 rebounds per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently played the Bulls, Pacers, and Knicks. The Cavs have won eight of their last 11 games and have clinched the top seed in the East.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 112.2 points on 45.5 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24 points and 5 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 9.9 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won 11 of their last 12 home games against Central Division opponents.
• The Pacers have lost six of their seven previous day games at Rocket Arena.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won 10 of their last 11 games against Central Division opponents after losing as favorites.
• The Cavaliers have lost three of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Central Division opponents after losing as favorites.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Injury Report

The Cavaliers will likely continue to rest their key players.

The Pacers will be without Isaiah Jackson and Ben Sheppard. Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, and Tyrese Haliburton are questionable.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction

Another game where you’re unlikely going to see key players from either side. With that said, I’m going to side with the Cavs. We saw the Pacers rest guys against the Magic, and they gave up 129 points to a team that can’t score. The Cavs have been careful with key players all week, and they still beat the Knicks and Bulls, and they almost beat the Pacers on the road as 10-point underdogs. With the same matchup and this time facing the Pacers backups, I have to lean toward the Cavaliers at home. The Cavs are also 34-6 SU at home this season, for what that’s worth.

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Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Bulls, lost to the Pacers, and they play the Pacers next. The Cavs have won seven of their last nine games and have clinched the top seed in the East.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122.3 points on 49.3 percent shooting and allowing 112.3 points on 45.5 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24 points and 5 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 20.5 points and 6.7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 9.8 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 38.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.1 rebounds per game.

NY Knicks Betting Preview

The NY Knicks lost to the Celtics and Pistons, and they play the Nets next. The Knicks have won seven of their last 11 games and are the third seed in the East.

The NY Knicks are averaging 116.1 points on 48.8 percent shooting and allowing 111.8 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 26.2 points and 2.9 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 24.4 points and 3.1 assists. Mikal Bridges is the third double-digit scorer, and OG Anunoby is grabbing 4.8 rebounds. The NY Knicks are shooting 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 36.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.9 rebounds per game.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Injury Report

The Knicks will be without Ariel Hukporti, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson.

Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus are questionable for the Cavs after not playing last night.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Prediction

I’m going to assume the Cavaliers will once again sit their star players with the top seed locked up. The Knicks played last night, but they need a win to lock up the third seed in the East. This game means something to the Knicks, and that’s why they’re big favorites to win. Also, if the Cavs are going to be undermanned yet again, it’s going to be tough, as bench players are going to log heavy minutes for a second straight game. They’re not used to that, and it could impact them negatively. The Knicks should win this game by a comfortable margin. I’ll lay the points.

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