The NBA Cup in-season tournament begins with eight games in group play. The Boston Celtics are the betting favorite to win the 2024 NBA Cup, and they’re in action tonight.
We also found the best NBA prop bets on Tuesday which includes player props for the Greek Freak, Zaccharie Risacher, Karl-Anthony Towns, LaMelo Ball, Kyrie Irving, and Tyus Jones.
Atlanta Hawks (4-7) at Boston Celtics (9-2)
- Tip-off: 7pm ET
- Point Spread: Celtics -15
- Total: 227 o/u
- Pick: Celtics -15
The Hawks have a bad defense that allows 121.6 ppg (ranked as the third worst). They’re atrocious on the perimeter and allow opponents to shoot nearly 40% from 3-point range, which is ranked dead last in the NBA. With a 3-8 ATS record, the Hawks are worth fading especially with Trae Young sitting out with ankle tendinitis.
No one shoots more 3-pointers than the Celtics, who jack up 51 treys per game. When they’re on, the Celtics win by huge margins. During their previous meeting, the Celtics outshot the Hawks 55-31 from 3-point range and knocked down 12 more which led to a 30-point blowout.
Jayson Tatum is nursing a sprained ankle and listed as questionable, which means he’ll be a game time decision. Even if Tatum does not play, we like the Celtics to cover. The Celtics did not have Jaylen Brown and still destroyed the Hawks by 30 points in Atlanta last week.
Zaccharie Risacher Prop Bet
Over 14.5 points. The #1 pick in from the 2024 NBA Draft averages 18 ppg over the last four games. He scored 15 points against the Celtics last week before he exploded for a career-high 33 points against the Knicks.
Charlotte Hornets (4-6) at Orlando Magic (5-6)
- Tip-off: 7pm ET
- Point Spread: Magic -7
- Total: 212.5 o/u
- Pick: Under 214.5
These teams are in the bottom ten in scoring with the Magic generating only 108 ppg and the Hornets slightly better at 109.5 ppg. The under is 8-2 for the Hornets this season, which is the best record in the NBA if you love better in the under.
The Magic have relied on their tough defense to keep them in games. They’re tied for the second best in the NBA allowing only 106.3 ppg.
The Magic do not have Paolo Banchero for a couple of more weeks. Without Banchero, Franz Wager led the Magic in scoring in five straight games, and he’s averaging 25 ppg over the last four games.
The Hornets won two of their last three games including an overtime loss against the 76ers on Sunday thanks to 38 points from LaMelo Ball.
LaMelo Ball Prop Bet
Over 28.5 points. LaMelo scored 31-plus three times this month and averaged 34.5 ppg in his last two games. We love LaMelo to have another big game as one of our best NBA prop bets today.
New York Knicks (4-5) at Philadelphia 76ers (2-7)
- Tip-off: 7:30pm ET
- Point Spread: Knicks -1.5
- Total: 215.5 o/u
- Pick: Knicks -1.5
The 76ers are the second worst betting team in the NBA with a 2-7 ATS record. With key injured starters missing games, the 76ers are the fourth-lowest scoring team in the NBA at 107 ppg. As soon as Paul George suited up, Tyrese Maxey went down with a hamstring injury. Joel Embiid is expected to play his first game of the season after missing the first nine games due to injuries and a suspension.
The Philadelphia 76ers have the third worst 3-point defense that allows 37.8%. The Knicks shoot well from downtown and they’re ranked #3 at 39.5%, but their problem is they don’t shoot enough treys.
The Knicks lost three out of their last four games, but looking to get back on track. They knocked the 76ers out of the playoffs last season, and this is their first meeting this season. There’s still a lot of bad blood simmering below the surface especially regarding Embiid.
Karl-Anthony Towns Prop Bet
Over 22.5 points. KAT scored 30-plus in three straight games, and he’s averaging 29.7 ppg since he unleashed a 44-point performance two weeks ago. In two games against the 76ers last season, KAT averaged 23 ppg as a member of the Timberwolves.
Toronto Raptors (2-9) at Milwaukee Bucks (2-8)
- Tip-off: 8:10pm ET
- Point Spread: Bucks -8.5
- Total: 228 o/u
- Pick: Raptors +8.5
These two teams are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Bucks lost multiple close games over the last week or so, but a good showing in the NBA Cup could finally get them headed in the right direction. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in scoring with 31.6 ppg and he’ll have to take on a bigger workload because Damian Lillard was ruled out with a concussion.
The Raptors have the second-worst defense in the NBA that allows 122.7 ppg, yet they find ways to cover games. The Raptors are 8-3 ATS and the fourth-best betting team in the NBA. We like the Raptors to pull off another backdoor cover at +8.5.
Greek Freak Prop Bet
Over 32.5 points. The Greek Freak exceeded this total three times in the last five games. Without Lillard, he’s pretty much the entire offense which is why we love the Greek Freak as one of our best NBA prop bets today.
Phoenix Suns (8-2) at Utah Jazz (2-7)
- Tip-off: 10:10pm ET
- Point Spread: Suns -3
- Total: 228 o/u
- Pick: Suns -3
Even without Kevin Durant and possibly Bradley Beal, the Suns should cruise to an easy win to start the NBA Cup. In their first game without Durant, Beal stepped up with a season-high 28 points in an overtime loss on Sunday and Tyus Jones added 20. Beal has a sore knee and listed as day-to-day.
Devin Booker (23.1 points, 7.3 assists) has been struggling from downtown, but he’s due for another 40-point eruption. Luckily, the Jazz are horrible at defending the 3-point line so expect the Suns to unload a barrage of treys.
How bad are the Jazz? They’re the lowest-scoring team (105 ppg) and worst-shooting team (42%). They’re also in the bottom five in 3-point shooting percentage. At -13.6, the Jazz have the worst net rating in the NBA, and lead the league with 19.3 turnovers per game.
Tyus Jones Prop Bet
Over 12.5 points. Jones averaged 19.5 ppg in his last two games including 22 in his last game. Without KD, expect Jones to play a bigger role in the offense.
Dallas Mavs (5-5) at Golden State Warriors (8-2)
- Tip-off: 10pm ET
- Point Spread: Warriors -3
- Total: 232.5 o/u
- Pick: Under 232.5
After a 3-1 start, the Mavs went 2-4 and lost two games in a row against Western Conference foes. Ther defense has been off, and they allowed 122.3 ppg in their last three losses.
Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Area to play his first game against his old squad. He downplayed his return to Chase Center in downtown San Francisco, but he’s coming in on a cold-shooting streak. Thompson averages 11.3 ppg for the Mavs over his last seven games while shooting only 28.7% from 3-point range. He has three instances in his last five games with just one made 3-pointer and he shot 16.7% from deep during those ice-cold performances.
With Thompson struggling, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving provide the majority of the Mavs’ offense. The duo averages nearly 54 ppg. Doncic was mentioned on the injury report with a left groin strain, but he’s listed as probable to play. Irving lit it up the last few games, so expect him to be the main dude with Doncic nursing a sore groin.
The Warriors have the second-best betting record in the NBA at 8-2 ATS. They’re tied for the best record in the west right now with a well-balanced offense that’s ranked #1 in scoring (121.3 ppg) and rank #3 in 3-point shooting (39.5%).
Only the Celtics and Hornets attempted more 3-pointers than the Warriors (41.3). Steph Curry and Buddy Hield take nearly 17 treys per game, and Hield knocked down an impressive 48.8% while Curry connected on 43.5% of his attempts.
Kyrie Irving Prop Bet
Over 25.5 points. Irving averages 25.6 ppg this season. He recently dropped 43 points in a loss against the Nuggets on Sunday.
