The NBA Cup quarterfinals kick off tonight with an enticing two game slate: the scrappy Orlando Magic visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, followed by a playoff rematch between the Mavericks and the Thunder. With so few players taking the floor, figuring out which players to back is no easy task. However, that also means there’s plenty of winning bets on the board. Here are three player props worth placing on Tuesday.
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Tristan da Silva over 7.5 points (-125)
The Magic have been the biggest surprise in the Eastern Conference, surging to a 17-9 record despite the absence of Paolo Banchero. Unfortunately, things have gotten even tougher in Orlando now that wing Franz Wagner has suffered the same exact injury as his All-Star teammate, a torn oblique. While that means wins will be harder to come by, it should open up more opportunity for some of the secondary pieces on an up-and-coming roster.
That includes rookie Tristan da Silva, a sharpshooter that has yet to get it going this season (7.2 PPG, 41.4% FG). The Colorado product hasn’t been the most consistent, but there’s plenty of reason to back him going forward. By default, the Magic lack many scoring options outside of guard Jalen Suggs. On a team taking the 12th-most three-point attempts in the NBA, someone has to step up and take some shots from beyond the arc. Da Silva was already averaging 23.0 minutes per game; anything close to that with an increase in touches should allow him to clear this modest point total.
Kyrie Irving over 4.5 assists (-110)
As far as NBA Cup games go, they don’t get much better than this. After falling to Dallas in five games last postseason, the Thunder will look to get revenge in this early battle of Western Conference contenders. However, it won’t be easy; OKC has struggled to contain the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the past. The Mavs have won five of the last six matchups between these two teams.
Oklahoma City’s perimeter defense is improved this year, thanks in large part to the offseason addition of Alex Caruso. While you shouldn’t expect Doncic to suddenly become a non-factor, the ball might not be in his hands as much as usual. That should allow Irving to serve as more of a creator, looking to attack the Thunder inside the paint. Over his last nine games against OKC, Kyrie is averaging 7.0 assists, having cleared this total six times. He’s well-positioned to go over again on Tuesday night.
Bobby Portis under 6.5 rebounds (+110)
Among the many reasons for the Bucks’ turnaround this season, improved play off the bench is near the top of the list. That includes sixth-man Bobby Portis, who has continued to serve as a capable inside-out presence on offense. Through 22 games, the big man is averaging 12.8 points and 7.5 rebounds on 46.3% shooting from the field.
While Portis’ rebounding numbers are impressive (over just 23.8 minutes), they are also a bit inflated due to a handful of big performances. Over his last ten games, the power forward has gone over this total just three times. Against an Orlando team giving up the third-fewest rebounds to opponents (49.8 RPG), I’m willing to bet that Bobby doesn’t dominate the glass.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
