The second annual NBA Cup begins tonight, with plenty of matchups basketball fans can sink their teeth into. This eight-game intra-conference slate has a little bit of everything, from superstar clashes to playoff rivalries renewed, so you don’t want to miss out. To get in on the action, look no further than DraftKings Sportsbook! Here are three player props worth betting on Tuesday.
Joel Embiid under 9.5 rebounds (-130)
After yet another multiple game absence, Joel Embiid is finally ready to make his season debut. The bruising big man is still an absolute force when he’s on the court, but that’s the issue. Knowing when the former MVP will play, let alone for how long, has made him a headache for 76ers fans and bettors alike.
Embiid will go up against the rival Knicks, who out-muscled Philadelphia over the course of an epic six-game series last spring. While many of the faces on New York have changed, the team did upgrade at center with Karl-Anthony Towns. While he’s never been a great defender, KAT has held Embiid to a respectable 9.7 rebounds in 11 career matchups. With a minutes restriction against a team giving up the third-fewest boards to opponents (49.3 RPG), it’s going to be tough for Joel to put up a double-double.
Al Horford over 8.5 points (-105)
Al Horford is a tricky player to back. Although the veteran is an integral part of what makes the Celtics so good, he’s perfectly content to make smart passes and play good defense rather than score the ball. However, tonight’s matchup with a vulnerable Atlanta squad should have Boston’s starting center in position for double-digit points.
So far this season, the Hawks are giving up 121.6 points per game to opposing teams, third-worst in the NBA. That’s perfect for Horford, who comes into this contest averaging 10.3 PPG over his last three games. There is some concern that this matchup with Atlanta, who will be without Trae Young, becomes a blowout. The Celtics are currently favored by 15 points. Still, there should be more than enough time for Horford to make a dent in the scoring column.
Tyus Jones over 6.5 assists (-110)
The 8-2 Suns were dealt a huge blow over the weekend. Superstar Kevin Durant suffered a calf strain that will keep him out of action for at least the next two weeks. While Devin Booker is more than capable of leading Phoenix’s offense, the team will need its role players to step up if they want to stay competitive.
In his first season with the Suns, point guard Tyus Jones has been as advertised (11.0 PPG, 6.3 APG). While the savvy floor general isn’t a lock for 20 points without Durant, the ball should be in his hands often considering the lack of playmakers on Phoenix’s roster. He’ll get a prime matchup on Tuesday against a Utah team allowing the fifth-most points (118.9 PPG) and fourth-most assists (28.8 APG) in the league. This pass-first guard should have plenty of opportunities to dish out dimes tonight.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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