We have a two-game NBA Cup slate on Tuesday, and now that we’re past the group stage, losses now eliminate teams from contention. Let’s breakdown both games, with a bet for each.
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks
After a poor start to the season, the Bucks are beginning to hit their stride, winning eight of 10. Now that I feel we can trust Milwaukee, this is a great spot to back it at home against a Magic squad that hasn’t been the same team on the road, and just had another devastating injury.
Franz Wagner had stepped up huge during the absence of Paolo Banchero, giving the Magic a boost in scoring and playmaking. Unfortunately for Orlando, Wagner suffered the same injury as Banchero (a torn oblique), and will be out indefinitely. Somehow, the Magic found a way to defeat the Suns on Sunday thanks to a big fourth quarter, but that game was in Orlando and Phoenix was without Kevin Durant.
I expect reality to set in for the Magic in this one, facing a very good team on the road that has all of its stars healthy. With both Banchero and Wagner off the floor, I just don’t see how the Magic are going to be able to create offensively at a pace that keeps up with the Bucks. I don’t mind laying -7 with Milwaukee here, but the first half is also a strong play. The Magic are just 4-12 1H ATS this season, so playing shorthanded, I expect them to be trailing at the break.
I think you can play the Bucks a number of ways here, but I’m intrigued by the double result of the Bucks to lead and halftime and win the game. If the Bucks do happen to trail at half, I’d likely still come back and bet them. But assuming they do hold a lead, then we can ride the short -140 moneyline ticket on them.
PLAY: Bucks Halftime/Fulltime (-140) 1-unit
Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Both of these teams have been scorching hot, particularly Dallas, which has ripped off seven wins in a row. The Mavs have had the upper hand in what could be becoming a bit of a rivalry here, bouncing OKC from the postseason last year, and getting a road win at OKC earlier this season.
While Luka Doncic missed that matchup, it was also during a time that the Thunder were playing without both of their big men. Since Chet Holmgren went down, OKC desperately needed size, and now they have it with Isaiah Hartenstein in the lineup. OKC is 7-1 since the former Knick made his season debut, and he’s posted seven double-doubles so far. Hartenstein will matchup very well with Dallas, and should be a key to this game.
Despite the earlier result against Dallas, OKC has been dominant at home, with a point margin of +12.3 points per game. Dallas has had its road struggles, and I think we see them continue here against a young Thunder squad that’s ready to step up and win a big game in this upcoming rivalry in the west.
PLAY: Thunder -4.5 (-108) 1-unit
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
