The highly anticipated NBA Cup Group Play returns on Friday night, featuring an impressive lineup of 12 games that showcases teams in their pursuit of victory, with several franchises already set for their second NBA Cup clash of the week.
Following a balanced 1-1 night on Thursday, which was notably marred by foul trouble for Dereck Lively II, I am gearing up to make a strong comeback with five well-researched bets for Friday’s electrifying matchups. Among these, one particular side has caught my attention, but I’m also keenly observing four prop bets that promise excitement as the games unfold.
Let’s dive into the details of my picks.
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Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Devin Vassell OVER 14.5 Points (-120) – 0.5 unit
This matchup marks Devin Vassell’s fourth game of the season following his recovery from an injury that kept him sidelined for the start of the year. As a promising first-round pick, he has already shown his offensive potential by scoring 21, 12, and 17 points in his three outings, with attempts reflecting increasing confidence at 13, nine, and 14 shots respectively.
Despite being on a minutes limit, not exceeding 25 in each game, he is expected to continue his aggressive shooting approach, aiming for double-digit attempts against a Los Angeles Lakers defense that is struggling, currently ranked 25th in defensive efficiency.
OG Anunoby OVER 21.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-125)
Having successfully covered this prop on Wednesday despite encountering shooting difficulties, I am confident in OG Anunoby’s consistent performance.
Anunoby has demonstrated remarkable form for the Knicks, surpassing this line in seven straight games while averaging an impressive 36.9 minutes per game during this incredible stretch. His increased usage is significant, taking an average of 14.0 shots and 6.0 three-pointers per game, establishing a reliable scoring baseline.
Given Anunoby’s averages of 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, he needs to contribute around 15 points in this game to clear the prop successfully, a feat he has achieved in nine out of his eleven games this season, barring a remarkable trend.
Chicago Bulls +10.5 (-108) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
While Cleveland rightfully holds the title of a significant favorite due to their strong performance at the start of the season, it’s worth noting that they have faced close contests recently, edging out Brooklyn by five, narrowly beating Chicago by six, and just overcoming Philadelphia—who were missing key players like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey—by eight points.
Predicting an undefeated season for the Cavs seems overly ambitious, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chicago manage to cover the spread, especially following a confidence-boosting win against New York just two nights ago.
Despite defensive struggles, the Bulls are known for their high-paced style of play, leading the league in pace. This allows them to rack up points significantly, as observed in their recent scoring outburst against the Knicks.
As they approach this encounter, the Bulls carry a respectable 6-6 against the spread record for the season, showcasing resilience as they stand 4-3 as road underdogs.
Although Cleveland has started the season with a solid 9-4 mark against the spread, the spread they are offering may prove to be a stretch for this matchup.
Andrew Wiggins UNDER 15.5 Points (-115)
In my analysis, I’m opting to fade Andrew Wiggins during his matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, who currently boast the no. 5 defensive squad in the league.
Wiggins has struggled with shot attempts this season, averaging just 11.4 per game. Notably, he has fallen short of 10 attempts in four of his last six games. The key for props like these revolves around taking ample shots, and he will be challenged with imposing defenses at the rim from formidable players like Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. His performance has seen him fail to eclipse the 15.5-point mark in five of his nine games thus far.
Trey Murphy III OVER 15.5 Points (-110)
Friday night marks an exciting matchup as the New Orleans Pelicans face off against the Denver Nuggets at home, though they are notably missing a significant number of their rotation players due to injuries.
The injury report is extensive, including key players such as Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Zion Williams, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, and Dejounte Murray, leaving Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy III to carry most of the offensive burden.
In their previous game, the Pelicans stumbled to score less than 90 points, with Murphy himself only managing 14 points, hindered by early foul trouble that restricted his playing time.
His season so far reflects struggles, with 12 points (on 4-of-14 shooting) and 14 points (on 4-of-12 shooting) in his two games. However, this matchup presents a favorable opportunity against a Denver team currently ranked 19th in defensive efficiency and missing key player Aaron Gordon (calf) due to injury.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
How has Murphy’s role changed in the Pelicans’ offense with key players missing?
To shoulder a larger scoring burden.
Murphy has been stepping up in the absence of these players, and with increased opportunities, he has been averaging significantly more attempts per game. He is expected to play a pivotal role in the Pelicans’ offense tonight, especially against a Nuggets defense that can be vulnerable, particularly when facing off against a depleted roster. Given that Murphy has shown he can score effectively when given minutes and shots, the OVER on his points prop at 15.5 looks promising.
here are some key bets to consider:
1. **Devin Vassell OVER 14.5 Points (-120)**: Look for him to continue his offensive trend against a defensively weak Lakers team.
2. **OG Anunoby OVER 21.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists (-125)**: His current form and high usage rate make this a solid bet.
3. **Chicago Bulls +10.5 (-108) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers**: Chicago’s recent performance indicates they can cover the spread against a Cleveland team that’s faced tougher contests than expected.
4. **Andrew Wiggins UNDER 15.5 Points (-115)**: Wiggins is struggling with shot attempts and faces a tough defensive matchup.
5. **Trey Murphy III OVER 15.5 Points (-110)**: With key players missing for New Orleans, Murphy will likely lead the scoring charge against Denver.
These bets encapsulate various angles for the matches, taking into account player form, matchup dynamics, and recent trends.
