It was an incredible weekend of NBA basketball with the first round of the playoffs in full swing and beginning to wind down. From buzzer-beaters to referee controversies to players taking the next clear superstar leap, a lot has happened already in the postseason.
The action will pick up again tonight with two games on the Monday night slate. Starting in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat will be hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers after falling in an 0-3 series hole. Erik Spoelstra has only been swept once in his coaching career and will need a victory tonight to not add to this list.
In the later game, the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors will face off, with the Warriors holding a 2-1 series advantage. Jimmy Butler remains questionable after missing the previous game, but there is increased optimism he will be able to return tonight. Getting the victory without Butler was a huge boost for this Warriors team, but his status will continue to be one to monitor.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the action this evening. One of the unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Basketball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for action on April 28. You simply choose whether each set statistic will be more or less than the set number. With the stage set, here are my favorite picks for the pair of Monday night playoff matchups.
Donovan Mitchell More Than 31.5 Points & Assists
It has been far from a signature playoff series for Donovan Mitchell in the opening round, but the Cavaliers star is still averaging 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 12-for-27 (44.4%) from beyond the three-point arc. Mitchell has flashed as a playoff riser in years past, but this has not been necessary through the start of the playoffs with Cleveland outscoring Miami by a combined margin of 366-299 thus far. While Mitchell has been totally fine, this series has been won by Cleveland’s depth, with there being a notable gap in talent on the overall rosters.
If one thing has been clear about this Heat organization, they are not just going to roll over. With the home crowd behind them and their season on the line, expect a more spirited effort from the Heat and for Donovan Mitchell to be called on for a larger offensive role. The six-time All-Star was limited to 13 points and one assist on 4-of-14 from the field in the previous game.
However, he has scored 29+ points and tallied at least three assists in each of his seven previous playoff games. This includes as many as 54 combined points and assists and tallying 36 and 34 combined points and assists in the opening two games. In addition, Darius Garland remains questionable for the matchup after missing the previous game with his toe issue. Given the 3-0 series lead, it would not be shocking for the Cavaliers to be cautious and keep him out tonight. This would put more offensive responsibility on the plate of Mitchell. Miami has given the Cavaliers star the respect he deserves and forced the ball out of his hand for stretches. Expect Mitchell to lead the charge with his scoring, but I prefer taking him to record more than 31.5 combined points and assists in case the Heat force Mitchell to beat them as a passer. Count on him being at the epicenter of the Cavaliers’ attack and tally more than 31.5 combined points and assists again tonight.
Davion Mitchell More Than 22.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
One of the biggest bright spots in the second half of this turbulent Heat season has been the emerging play of Davion Mitchell. After spending the start of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors, Mitchell looks to be a clean fit for the “Heat Culture” that has been established down in Miami. Across the 30 games he spent with the Heat in the regular season, Mitchell averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night.
The 26-year-old’s level of opportunity and production has expanded in the playoffs. Mitchell is playing 35.7 minutes per night and producing 17.3 points, 6.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds. He has tallied more than 22.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in all three games in the series, so look for this to carry into Game 4.
Miami’s offensive attack will continue to be headlined by Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. However, the Heat are fairly limited in their number of offensive creators beyond this. Davion Mitchell has welcomed this challenge and attempted 11+ shots in two of the three games. His level of defensive impact creates the opportunity for minutes on the floor, and Mitchell has revealed some offensive layers to his game that were not on display at other stops. He is not afraid of the moment and has shown this through the start of the season. His Pick6 prop line still has not increased enough based on his level of expanded opportunity, so look for him to blow through this total again tonight.
Kel’el Ware More Than 11.5 Points & Rebounds
Another bright spot on this Miami roster has been the level of play from rookie Kel’el Ware. After being selected with the 15th overall pick, Ware has seen his level of opportunity grow throughout the season and has impressed in these chances. Across the regular season, he averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in his 22.2 minutes per game.
Ware has shown an ability to share the floor with Bam Adebayo as well as fill in as the full-time big man when Adebayo takes a seat. This has proven valuable against a Cavaliers team that leans on both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Ware has clocked at least 18:37 of game time in all three postseason games thus far, and his production has increased in each game. He tallied eight points and five rebounds in the previous game and has connected on a three-pointer in each of the past two games.
Cleveland has outrebounded Miami in this matchup, including winning the battle 46-29 in the previous game. It should not be a surprise if Ware sees his minutes expanded as a response to this, but he recorded more than 11.5 points and rebounds in the previous game. The 21-year-old has shot the ball much better at home this season, and there is a likely chance this is the final home game of his rookie season. Expect Ware to make an impact on the boards and capitalize on his shot opportunities by recording more than 11.5 combined points and rebounds again tonight.
Alperen Sengun Than 34.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
It has been a strong start to Alperen Sengun’s playoff career. Golden State’s lack of interior defense was a notable concern coming into the series, and the Rockets have done a solid job exposing this through the opening three games. Sengun is averaging 19.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game thus far in the series, recording more than 34.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in two of the three games.
Even with him having some success, Houston still should be relying on Sengun at a higher rate. There is no clear adjustment Golden State can make for the size disadvantage, and he provides a calming presence on the floor when playing through him in the post. Sengun has gotten up 15+ shot attempts in all three games and tallied at least nine rebounds in each. Houston is still a bit lacking in its reliable offensive sets, and Sengun’s ability to play out of the post has been a comfortable half-court option.
Look for Sengun to pick up right where he left off and serve as an offensive hub for the Rockets throughout this crucial Game 4 matchup. He is a high-level rebounder who can take over as a playmaker and has had success already. Look for this to continue in Game 4 and for Sengun to record more than 34.5 combined points, rebounds and assists for the third time in this series.
Steph Curry More Than 10.5 Assists & Rebounds
When you think of Steph Curry, you should automatically think of scoring the basketball. The NBA’s all-time leading three-point scorer had a throwback performance in the previous game, dropping 36 points on 12-for-23 shooting from the field without Jimmy Butler available. However, Curry is getting the job done in other areas beyond just scoring the ball. He is averaging 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game in the series, having tallied 16 combined assists and rebounds in the past game and 15 in Game 2.
Looking back at the regular season, Curry averaged 6.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. He tallied more than 10.5 assists and rebounds in 34 of the 70 games. Houston has cranked up the defensive intensity and made it clear not to let Curry beat it for stretches in this series and throughout the season. While this was unsuccessful in the previous game, the Rockets have forced the ball out of Curry’s hands at a high rate. The Warriors star has responded by tallying nine assists in back-to-back games and should be in line for a similar output tonight.
Curry deserves more credit than he receives for growing into an all-around basketball player, including on the defensive end. He is quietly one of the most creative playmakers in the NBA and is coming off back-to-back games with nine assists. Especially if Jimmy Butler remains out or is limited, more responsibility will be on Curry’s plate as a ball-handler. Look for him to be prepared to take on this challenge and for there to be plenty of rebounding opportunities as the Rockets continue to struggle with their efficiency. Count on Curry to record more than 10.5 combined assists and rebounds by cruising comfortably past this number for the third straight game.
Jalen Green More Than 18.5 Points
The Jalen Green offensive experience is a roller coaster, but tonight is a matchup in which it should be worth getting on board. The 23-year-old was limited to seven points on 3-for-15 from the field in the opening game of the series and the first playoff game of his career. He then bounced back with an impressive 38-point output in Game 2 while adding six assists. Green struggled again in Game 3, being held to nine points and attempting just 11 field goals.
While these are extreme examples, they exemplify the problem with Jalen Green. However, there is plenty of pressure on the former No. 2 overall pick to step up as the true face of the franchise, so look for him to be more aggressive in searching for his shot tonight. Houston has some big-picture questions to address in the offseason, and it would do Green well to get back on track before the series returns to Houston.
For the Rockets to be playing to their peak, it requires Green to be aggressive in seeking out his own shot and leading the offense. Expect a conscious effort from the team to create shots for him early and set the tone in this game. Green tallied more than 18.5 points in 50 regular-season games and became passive far too early in Game 3. Expect this to change as the Rockets look to even this series up and for him to see plenty of shot volume on his path to recording more than 18.5 points tonight.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must select players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
