The NBA Cup has reached the elimination stage, starting with the quarterfinals. On Tuesday, just four teams will take the court for a two-game set. To kick things off, Paolo Banchero and the Magic will take on Southeast division rival Miami. Later, the surging Knicks are heading up north for a road date with the Raptors.
High-stakes matchups should add some extra excitement to tonight’s hoops action. Added intensity could lead to some remarkable individual performances. Which players should bettors trust this evening? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Jalen Suggs 28+ points + rebounds + assists (-123)
Franz Wagner (ankle) is out for at least the next few weeks. The wing’s absence has left the Magic without one of, if not their most reliable offensive threat. On a roster filled with defensively-minded players, it’s a major blow. One of those names includes Jalen Suggs, an absolute pest for opposing ball handlers. However, the guard is no slouch on the other end of the floor. Through 19 games, he’s recorded 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 46% from the field.
Suggs isn’t the most consistent scorer; even with Wagner out, points aren’t a guarantee. Still, there’s ample touches on Orlando’s offense right now with the German injured. In two of his last three appearances, Suggs has notched at least 28 points + rebounds + assists. One of those games came against tonight’s opponent, the Heat. Miami, due to its league-leading tempo (105.0), often finds itself playing in shootouts. A few more possessions than normal should lead to another all-around showing for Orlando’s point guard.
Immanuel Quickley 19+ points (-114)
Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are the most important pieces on offense for the Raptors. However, this is far from a two-man show. That remains true even as R.J. Barrett deals with a knee injury. Immanuel Quickley brings plenty to the table for a somewhat thin Toronto back court. This season, the guard has posted 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. In addition, he’s accounted for solid 47/38/75 shooting splits. Those numbers may not turn heads, but having a sharpshooter alongside two taller wings can give opposing defenses fits.
Tonight’s foe, the Knicks, wield two elite defenders in Mikal Bridges and O.G. Anunoby. The pair should spend most of the night matched up against one of Barnes or Ingram. With that being said, things get a bit shaky when looking at the rest of the roster. New York has surrendered 14.7 three-pointers made per game to its opponents, fourth-worst in basketball. When these teams met on November 30th, Quickley knocked down four shots from long distance. The 26-year-old has produced at least 19 points in four of his previous six outings. A similar output from three, along with more points inside the arc, should be expected from IQ.
UPDATE: Quickley (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for tonight’s game.
Jalen Brunson under 2.5 three-pointers made (-104)
We’ll stay in Toronto for our final pick, a rare fade of New York’s captain. Jalen Brunson has enjoyed another terrific season, continuing his reign as one of the game’s most lethal scorers. Through 21 contests, he’s averaging 28.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists while shooting over 47% from the field. Most recently, the All-Star delivered a 30-point performance on Sunday against a formidable Magic squad. The occasional let-down game does occur at times, but Brunson is still the engine that powers this Knicks offense.
Part of JB’s production comes from beyond the arc, where he’s knocked down 2.7 three-pointers on 7.4 attempts per game (36%). However, continued success from deep is no guarantee on Tuesday. Brunson has knocked down one or fewer treys in four of his last five appearances. That includes the previously mentioned November 30th meeting between Toronto and New York. The Raptors have held opponents to the seventh-fewest three-pointers made (12.6) and third-lowest three-point percentage (33.3%). Add it all up, and the odds are against Brunson from long distance.
