Draftkings Best NBA Showdown Picks: Cavaliers vs. Celtics 5/7/24

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Massachusetts for a matchup with the Boston Celtics. Let’s take a look at this NBA game from a DFS perspective.

Prior to discussing my Draftkings picks for the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game, let’s review an important note regarding the rules and scoring for the single Game showdown contests.

For those readers who are not aware, the rules and scoring for DraftKings single game showdown contests are vastly different than the traditional classic contests offered by the platform.

If you need to review the specific rules for the single game showdown contests feel free to check out the Draftkings website.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics matchup.

Draftkings Picks

Captain-Jaylen Brown $14,100

Yes, I know that Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will be a popular choice for captain. Rightfully so. However, I am going to pivot to another Boston Celtics player as my captain in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That Celtics player’s name is Jaylen Brown.

How important has Jaylen Brown been to the Boston Celtics this postseason? Let’s take a look at Brown’s recent game statistics to answer that question. In the Boston Celtics last five games played (all playoff games), Brown has averaged an impressive 22.8 points, 7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1 steal a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely I observed that in the Boston Celtics five Eastern Conference playoff Games played this season, Jaylen Brown has averaged 37.4 Draftkings points a Game.

Selecting the correct captain for your DFS single game showdown lineup is vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) Draftkings contest. Having stated that, I think that Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown fits the captain narrative perfectly for this one game slate.

Flex Plays

Jayson Tatum $10,800

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has certainly been a key contributor to this Celtics team this season. Having stated that, how has Tatum been playing recently?

Since the beginning of April, the Boston Celtics have played ten Games. In those ten Games just noted (including playoffs), Jayson Tatum has averaged a robust 43.6 Draftkings points a Game. It has to be said, those are some outstanding offensive numbers from the Boston Celtics forward.

It should also be noted that talented Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out of tonight’s playoff Game due to injury. In my opinion, the absence of Porzingis in the Celtics lineup will open up more opportunities for Jayson Tatum to flourish within the Boston offense.

Jarrett Allen $8,400

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has a real opportunity to be a key contributor in the paint for this Cavaliers team in this evening’s matchup with the Boston Celtics. Why? I mentioned earlier in this article that Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is out for tonight’s game due to injury. The unfortunate injury to Porzingis should allow Cleveland center Jarrett Allen to dominate in the paint.

Keep in mind that Jarrett Allen is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. I recommend that all readers pay close attention to the official injury reports released by both teams prior to setting your lineup for this slate later today.

Additional flex plays I like (Draftkings price noted): Donovan Mitchell $10,000: Derrick White $8,200: Jrue Holiday $7,000: Isaac Okoro $3,800.