The Scientist 12/10 Emirates NBA Cup Best Player Props And Predictions

The quarterfinals of the 2024-2025 Emirates NBA Cup kicks off tonight with two matchups in the Western Conference! The Orlando Magic will be traveling to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder will be facing the Dallas Mavericks at Home! The NBA In-Season Tournament—now branded as the Emirates NBA Cup— was introduced last year and for basketball fans, this added excitement to the early NBA season through a single-elimination format. This tournament makes for great sports betting opportunities as players are typically playing at their peak performance with the goal of earning the prize money and bringing the trophy home to their city. At this stage of the tournament, all the players have earned at least some bonus, but they have the chance to earn ten times more if they come out on top on the bracket!

Prize Money for NBA Cup Winners

Winning the NBA Cup comes with significant financial rewards. Each player on the championship team earns a $500,000 bonus, equivalent to an extra game check for high-paid stars like LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Two-way players also receive $250,000, nearly half their annual salary, which serves as a major incentive.

Prize Money Distribution

The tournament rewards extend beyond the champions, as players receive increasing amounts for advancing through the stages:

• Champion: $500,000
• Runner-Up: $200,000
• Semifinalists: $100,000
• Quarterfinalists: $50,000

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic (+6.5) – Total: 214.5

The Orlando Magic have had a surprising season, despite the injury struggles they have faced. They come into this game 17-9 on the season and remain undefeated at home. However, they are now not only without their star Paolo Banchero, but also Franz Wagner. In their absence, we still saw the team manage to come away with a win on the road versus the Phoenix Suns on a great performance from Jalen Suggs and role players such as Cole Anthony. However, I don’t believe this success will be sustainable as they come face-to-face with a team as hot as the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks just got back Khris Middleton to support Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who have helped lead the team to a 12-11 record despite starting off the year slow. They are 8-2 in their last 10 home games where they find themselves tonight. For the Magic to cover the spread, they will need to focus on crashing the boards and preventing scoring from the pick-and-roll where Damian Lillard thrives. Of course, stopping Giannis is always a challenge, so sending double-teams his way to leave guys like Brook Lopez open may be their strategy. For the Milwaukee Bucks to win comfortably, they will need to exploit the Magic’s poor pick-and-roll defense and play at a fast pace as the Magic are a defensive-minded team who likes to control the tempo. For my spread take, I will be backing the Bucks at home to advance to the semifinals and cover the spread. I got this line at 5.5 before Franz Wagner was discovered to have torn his oblique, but I still believe the Bucks could win this game by double-digits. In terms of the total, I think the under would be the best look. The Magic play at the 25th slowest pace and the Bucks at the 17th, and with Franz Wagner out, we could see less scoring output from the Magic.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic Player Props

Jalen Suggs Over 18.5 Points (-115, DraftKings) – Playable For 20+ On Most Sportsbooks

• With Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero both OUT, Suggs takes on a lead role in the Magic’s offense.
• Last game without them, Suggs posted a team-high 30.9% usage rate, attempted 18 FGAs, and logged 31+ minutes.
• The Bucks struggle defensively against guards, allowing the 9th most points to SGs this season (23.16 PPG).
• They also rank 20th in PnR defense, a key area where Suggs generates 24% of his points.
• Suggs thrives in transition (Bucks rank 24th defensively) and from ATB 3-pointers (41% of his scoring).
• The Bucks allow the 7th most pull-up 3PTAs per game, aligning with Suggs’ tendencies (5 pull-up 3PTAs last game).

Damian Lillard Over 27.5 Points+Rebounds (-115, Bet365) – Playable At 28.5

• Lillard has exceeded this line in 13/20 games this season, averaging 30.2 points+rebounds per game.
• The Magic rank 22nd defending the pick-and-roll where he scores nearly 40% of his points, 24th in isolation where he scores 12% of his points, and 12th against free throws where he scores 21% of his points.
• Lillard has recorded at least 4 rebounds in 17/20 games this season!
• The matchup for the Bucks big men is much tougher as the Magic allow the fourth fewest points in the restricted area, so I expect this to be DAME TIME!

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks (+4.5) – Total: 230.5

The Dallas Mavericks face off against OKC on the road where they are catching 4.5 points. The Thunder have been remarkable this season, ranking as the 2nd best defense and 10th best offense. This has led them to an 18-5 record and a 7-3 record over their last ten games. The Mavericks are going to be a tough challenge though, coming into this game on a 7 game winning streak. Luka Doncic since returning from injury has been on an absolute tear alongside his sidekick Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks other starters such as P.J. Washington have also been playing great. For the Mavericks, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington are questionable, but I expect them to play. The Thunder are still without Chet Holgrem, but the acquisition of Isaiah Hartenstein has been a great move to provide them with size down low. Right now, the Dallas Mavericks are playing the better basketball and they play their better basketball on the road. The Mavericks won by 2 points against the Thunder on November 17th, and since they are getting 2-3 possessions, I will take the points with the Mavericks. The Thunder are going to struggle to stop Luka Doncic who has had the Thunder’s number. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to need to find his big men down low to win this game as the Mavericks have struggled to stop opposing centers. In terms of the total, I also love the under here. The Thunder’s strong defense and offense that scores primarily in the paint will lead to a lower scoring game.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks Player Props

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 5.5 Assists (+105, Fliff)

• SGA has not had fewer than 5 assists against the Mavericks over the last 10 games, averaging 7.7 assists on 15+ potential assists per game.
• With Chet Holmgren out, SGA’s potential assists have increased from 10.8 to 14.2 per game. He has recorded 5+ assists in 5 of his last 6 games with 10+ potential assists.
• The Mavericks frequently double SGA off drives and pick-and-rolls, forcing him to pass. This defensive strategy leaves shooters open, especially in the corners. Dallas ranks 22nd in spot-up defense and allows the most threes to bigs and forwards.
• Earlier this season, SGA had 8 assists on 20 potential assists against Dallas—one of his top 5 games in terms of assist opportunities over the last two seasons.

Luka Doncic Over 15.5 Rebounds+Assists (-115, Bet365) – Playable At 16.5

• OKC’s defensive tendencies and Luka’s historical success against them make this a great value spot.
• OKC allows the most rebounds to guards and leads the league in total rebounds allowed.
• Luka has grabbed 10+ rebounds in 9 of his last 11 games vs. OKC when playing 32+ minutes.
• OKC ranks 2nd in corner 3PT attempts allowed and 3rd in catch-and-shoot 3PT attempts, both high-frequency areas Luka’s teammates can capitalize on. With likely matchups against Dort or Wallace, Luka should benefit from weak-side rebounds, especially if OKC runs small-ball lineups.
• Luka has logged 10+ assists in 3 straight games against OKC and 9+ in 10 of 13 all-time matchups. He’s averaged 20.6 R&A on 34.6 chances vs. OKC in his career.
• Over his last 3 games, Luka has grabbed 10+ rebounds and consistently created assist chances in high minutes. This is a system play favoring Luka’s ability to exploit OKC’s defensive tendencies while maintaining his rebounding and playmaking dominance.

Isaiah Hartenstein Over 26.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists (-115, Bet365)

• Dallas allows the most points and rebounds (PR) to centers over the last 10 games. Remarkably, 14 of the last 16 opposing centers have dominated against them.
• Dallas struggles defensively against pick-and-roll bigs, a key strength in Hartenstein’s game.
• Dallas ranks 3rd in most offensive rebounds allowed per game, which aligns perfectly with Hartenstein’s ability to capitalize on second-chance points.
• Hartenstein has surpassed this PRA line in 6 of his last 8 games, averaging 29 PRA during that stretch.

This is going to be an exciting Tuesday of basketball to watch! Make sure to lock these player props in or comment your favorites that I may have missed. Also comment who you think is coming out on top tonight in the NBA’s action!

You can find me on X @SportsSciJacob for more sports analysis, picks, and predictions – https://x.com/SportsSciJacob