On Tuesday night, the battle for the league’s coveted trophy intensifies as the NBA Cup Group Play continues, featuring six thrilling matchups that fans won’t want to miss.
The spotlight shines on the Cleveland Cavaliers as they prepare for a high-stakes clash against the Boston Celtics in what promises to be a showdown of epic proportions. The Cavaliers enter the game with an undefeated record, eager to avenge last season’s playoff sweep at the hands of a formidable Celtics team.
In this article, I highlight three intriguing prop bets for viewers to consider in addition to various notable betting opportunities from other games on the slate this evening.
Tuesday’s Stream Team
Dario Saric, PF, Denver Nuggets (available in 99.1% of ESPN leagues): With Nikola Jokic sidelined for personal reasons and listed as questionable for tonight’s match, Saric has adeptly stepped into a significant role for the Nuggets. Over the last two games without Jokic, Saric has impressively tallied over 23 fantasy points. If Jokic sits out again, Saric becomes a must-start for fantasy managers. However, should Jokic suit up, Saric’s fantasy ceiling may be compromised.
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Jaylen Nowell, SG, New Orleans Pelicans (available in 99.6% of ESPN leagues): Since his recent signing with the Pelicans, Nowell has taken full advantage of his extended playing time due to injuries affecting his teammates. With the team currently grappling with multiple injuries, he has delivered commendable performances, scoring over 20 fantasy points in two of his last four outings. As the Pelicans go up against the Dallas Mavericks, he figures to play a pivotal role, making him a valuable streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Zach Collins, C, San Antonio Spurs (available in 97.5% of ESPN leagues): With Victor Wembanyama uncertain for tonight’s action due to a knee injury, Collins is positioned to emerge as a compelling streaming choice for fantasy owners. He captured attention last Saturday by scoring an eye-popping 37 fantasy points in Wembanyama’s absence, making him a solid pickup for those searching for a center during this pivotal stretch of the season.
Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets (available in 94.4% of ESPN leagues): After returning from a two-game absence, Finney-Smith has made a notable impact by consistently registering 31 fantasy points in both games. Despite a relatively low usage rate of only 15.5%, his contributions across multiple categories keep him relevant in fantasy conversations. His performance against a Charlotte Hornets team that ranks 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions sets the stage for a favorable matchup.
Moody’s Bets for the Day
Odds by ESPN BET
Anthony Davis over 28.5 points (-125): The Los Angeles Lakers’ offensive strategy focuses heavily on their stars, particularly Davis, who will be front and center in their game plan against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz have struggled defensively, allowing the fifth-most points per game to centers this season. Davis has surpassed this scoring mark in seven out of his last ten games, and with Walker Kessler likely absent from the lineup, the Jazz may lean on John Collins or rookie Kyle Filipowski to handle the defensive duties against him. This matchup appears to heavily favor Davis, increasing the likelihood of him clearing this line tonight.
Editor’s Picks
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Donovan Mitchell over 6.5 first quarter points (-115): For the Cavaliers, this matchup against the Celtics carries extra significance, fueling opportunities for Mitchell to set an aggressive tone from the get-go. He has successfully cleared this line in seven of his last ten games and has notably scored over this mark in four of his previous five contests against Boston. Expect him to come out firing early.
Darius Garland over 6.5 assists (-140): Under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers have adopted a faster-paced offensive style that benefits Garland. He has delivered at least seven assists in six of his 15 games this season and ranks high in potential assists with an average of 10.1 per game over 30 minutes of action. The absence of Kristaps Porzingis for the Celtics further opens lanes for the Cavaliers’ big men, creating more opportunities for Garland to rack up assists.
Evan Mobley over 19.5 points and assists (-130): While the Celtics showcase a solid defensive approach, they struggle to contain scoring in the paint, particularly against power forwards, the area where Mobley excels. He has surpassed this combined points and assists line in three of his last five games, in addition to performing exceptionally well against Boston with this threshold cleared in four of his last six matchups vs. them.
Cameron Johnson over 2.5 assists (-125): This presents a strong play for the evening. The Hornets have shown vulnerabilities on defense, allowing the fifth-most assists per game to power forwards, creating an ideal setup for Johnson to thrive. He has surpassed this assists mark in nine of his 14 games this season and carries an average of 4.6 potential assists while logging approximately 33.2 minutes per game.
Miles Bridges over 16.5 points (-130): Since his return to action last Saturday, Bridges has efficiently cleared this scoring threshold in consecutive games, totaling at least 27 minutes of playtime with 15 shot attempts in each outing. With the Brooklyn Nets permitting the 28th most points per 100 possessions, Bridges has scored above this line in 18 of his last 19 games versus bottom-10-ranked defenses, including his past two against Brooklyn.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
7 p.m. ET on TNT
Line: Cavaliers +4.5 (even) | Celtics -4.5 (-120)
Money line: Cavaliers 165 | Celtics -195
Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 2.6, straight up 59%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Knee); Dean Wade, (OUT – Ankle); Emoni Bates, (OUT – Knee); Max Strus, (OUT – Ankle)
Celtics: Payton Pritchard, (GTD – Thumb); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Foot)
Cavaliers projections:
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Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 41.4 FPTS (23.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)
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Darius Garland, PG: 36.1 FPTS (19.6 pts, 2.4 reb, 6.0 ast, 2.5 3PM)
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Evan Mobley, PF/C: 31.0 FPTS (17.1 pts, 9.0 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.5 blk)
Celtics projections:
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Jayson Tatum, SF/PF: 50.9 FPTS (30.0 pts, 7.6 reb, 6.3 ast, 4.0 3PM)
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Jaylen Brown, SG/SF: 42.4 FPTS (26.4 pts, 6.6 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.1 3PM)
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Derrick White, PG/SG: 31.9 FPTS (16.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.1 ast, 3.4 3PM)
Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Hornets +3.5 (-120) | Nets -3.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Hornets 135 | Nets -155
Total: 221.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 0.8, straight up 53%, 220.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD – Back); Mark Williams, (OUT – Foot); Nick Richards, (OUT – Ribs); DaQuan Jeffries, (OUT – Hand)
Nets: Dorian Finney-Smith, (GTD – Ankle); Ziaire Williams, (GTD – Hip); Day’Ron Sharpe, (OUT – Hamstring); Nic Claxton, (OUT – Back); Bojan Bogdanovic, (OUT – Foot)
Nets projections:
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Cam Thomas, SG: 37.0 FPTS (25.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)
New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +11.5 (EVEN) | Mavericks -11.5 (-120)
Money line: Pelicans 475 | Mavericks -750
Total: 221.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 10.9, straight up 81%, 223.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: CJ McCollum, (OUT – Thigh); Herbert Jones, (OUT – Shoulder); Jordan Hawkins, (OUT – Back); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Hand); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Hamstring); Jose Alvarado, (OUT – Hamstring)
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (OUT – Wrist); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Knee)
Mavericks projections:
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Luka Doncic, PG: 47.1 FPTS (26.6 pts, 6.6 reb, 6.4 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
9:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Line: Thunder -9.5 (-105) | Spurs +9.5 (-115)
Money line: Thunder -425 | Spurs 320
Total: 222.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 3.5, straight up 62%, 225.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Chet Holmgren, (OUT – Hip); Nikola Topic, (OUT – Knee); Isaiah Joe, (OUT – Calf); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT – Hand); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Hamstring)
Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, (GTD – Knee); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT – Thumb)
Thunder projections:
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: 53.0 FPTS (30.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 6.5 ast)
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +10.5 (-105) | Lakers -10.5 (-115)
Money line: Jazz 425 | Lakers -650
Total: 235.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Jazz by 8.3, straight up 75%, 235.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, (OUT – Lower Leg); Walker Kessler, (OUT – Hip); Jason Preston, (OUT – Leg)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD – Foot); Bronny James, (GTD – Heel); Rui Hachimura, (GTD – Ankle); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT – Hamstring); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT – Foot); Jaxson Hayes, (OUT – Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT – Knee)
Lakers projections:
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LeBron James, SF/PF: 46.4 FPTS (24.2 pts, 7.6 reb, 8.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
How might injuries on the Pelicans affect Kyrie Irving’s performance in tonight’s game?
Tions:
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Luka Doncic, PG: 54.1 FPTS (31.2 pts, 8.8 reb, 9.2 ast, 3.5 3PM)
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Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 43.9 FPTS (24.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.6 3PM)
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Grant Williams, SF/PF: 29.3 FPTS (13.3 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Key Matchup: The spotlight will be on Luka Doncic, especially with a few key injuries on the Pelicans. Doncic thrives under pressure and with most New Orleans’ offensive firepower out of the lineup, he will likely take on an even greater load.
Conclusion
Tonight’s slate of games presents some intriguing betting opportunities and fantasy plays. Focus on players benefiting from favorable matchups and increased usage due to injuries, such as Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, and Cameron Johnson. As always, keep an eye on injury reports leading up to game time to adjust your bets and fantasy lineups accordingly. Enjoy the games!
