Key Points
- SJ gives her three best bets for the December 10 NBA Cup Quarterfinal matchups!
It's Tuesday, and the NBA Cup Quarterfinals have arrived! With eight teams left in the bracket, there are two knockout single-elimination matchups on the slate today. Given bonus money and a banner is on the line, each team will compete to win the second-ever NBA in-season cup. With that said, let's break down the NBA Cup matchups for Tuesday, December 10.
(Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Current FanDuel odds and NBA slate for Tuesday, December 10
| Matchup |
Spread |
Moneyline (ML) |
Over/Under (O/U) |
| Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks |
+6.5 / -6.5 |
+245 / -300 |
215 |
| Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder |
+4.5 / -4.5 |
+194 / -184 |
230.5 |
The NBA Cup Quarterfinals Are Single Elimination Matchups
In the Eastern Conference the 4-0 Milwaukee Bucks will host the wild card winning Orlando Magic (3-1) at home today. The clear cut winners of East Group B, the Bucks led the way with a massive 50+ point differential. 8-2 in their last 10 matchups, Khris Middleton is now back in action! While Middleton will continue to produce off the bench, he'll be under a minute restriction. Even so, Middleton gives the Bucks much needed scoring and size.
Coming off a 118-113 victory over the Nets, the Bucks overcame a 12 point deficit to bury one of the youngest teams in the NBA. While the Bucks shot the rock at a high clip, can they maintain a 57 % field goal percentage against a stingy Magic defense? Even though they cruised to a seven consecutive win streak, the Bucks are losers of two of their last three. While they couldn't overcome a 111-105 defeat vs the Celtics, the Hawks dominated Milwaukee, 119-114.
Can The Magic Continue To Hold It Down Defensively?
As mentioned in my
previous article,
the Magic have managed to stay afloat without their biggest star, Paolo Banchero. Now unfortunately, Franz Wagner is out indefinitely with a torn oblique. I will say, the Magic had an impressive 115-110 victory over the Suns without their biggest stars. While Kevin Durant was out for the Suns, the Magic showcased their heavy depth of players.
+6.5 point underdogs on the road, the Magic have proven they belong amongst the top in the Eastern Conference. In their biggest test yet, they will face the Bucks, who are in full health. With a loss today, either team will be sent home packing. The questions remains who will advance to the next round of the NBA Cup Semifinals?
Providing my three best bets for the Cup games tonight, let's continue to stay hot! Placing all of my bets as straight plays, I placed all my bets within FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
NBA Cup Quarterfinals Best Bets For Tuesday, December 10
Spread Best Bet #1: Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks
Magic 2024-2025 ATS Record: 15-11
Bucks 2024-2025 ATS Record: 9-13-1
- Bucks -7 (-101 boost on Fanatics)
My first best bet of today, I placed one unit on the
Milwaukee Bucks
to cover the -7 favorable spread vs the Orlando Magic. I know the Magic are sitting at the no. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. And sure, they have a spread record of 15-11. However, aside from covering the favorable -2 point spread vs the Suns, they've been unsuccessful in covering three of their last four matchups.
I'll call it how I see it. On paper, this game shouldn't be close what so ever. Off to a slow start, the Bucks are starting to gel, and now have the addition of wingman Khris Middleton. I'd like to think the duo of Giannis and Damian Lillard alone can over power this current Magic team.
That's not to take away from what the Magic have done and the level of young talent Jamahl Mosley has. Led by the duo of Jalen Suggs and Goga Bitadze, eight total players scored for the Magic. With Mosley digging deep into his bench, Cole Anthony and Mo Wagner combined for 24 points alone.
While the Magic have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA with 39 bench points, it's much thinner without Franz Wagner and Banchero. With the Magic sitting 23rd in offensive rating (110.5), it's their defensive that's mainly carried them.
The Magic Won't Survive Without Today Without Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero
Now they are tasked to face the Bucks who rank 10th in offensive rating (113.9), which should only improve with Middleton.
Given this is such a large spread for a Cup game, the Bucks are 5-5-1 ATS when favorited by seven points or more. Overall, we've seen Milwaukee cover some fairly impressive favorable spreads vs the Pacers, Bulls, and Raptors. 8-2 in their last ten games, the Bucks hold a+154 point differential over that span.
Overall, do I think the Magic have the defensive assets to defeat the Bucks? Sure. However, 14th overall in defensive rating, the Bucks have improved on that front. Plus, over the last 10 games, they've been an offensive powerhouse of a team. 6th in offensive rating, this is a Bucks team that's put up over 116 points over a 10 game span.
With a much improved defensive unit, can the Magic hold up on the offensive end? Overall, this is an Orlando team that puts up the fourth fewest points in the NBA with 107.6. Now without Wagner and Banchero, they are the least efficient three-point shooting team (31 %). They not only face the third best team behind the arc at 39.4 %, the Bucks hover around 14.5 made threes per game.
Final NBA Cup Quarterfinals Best Bet Pick and Prediction:
Milwaukee Bucks -7 (-101 boost Fanatics)
Today, I'm taking Giannis and Lillard to carry the Bucks to a comfortable victory over the Magic. With challenges covering the spread vs solid teams, we saw the Knicks destroy the Magic 121-106 just last week. In addition, the Magic's offensive woes were put on full display vs the Thunder, Mavericks, and Cavaliers. 0-3 as underdogs vs those three teams, I'm confident the Bucks can get it done tonight.
While the Magic hold a higher point differential than the Bucks, I don't expect the Magic to keep things close without two of their heavy hitters. Look for Giannis Antetokounmpo to keep it rolling with MVP type numbers.
- I'll lay the points with the Bucks -7 today.
Player Prop Best Bet #2: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo 2024-2025 Season Stats
G: 21| PPG: 32.5 | FG: 61.9 % | FT: 61.9 % | 3PT : 20 % | REB: 10.6 | AST: 6.4 | STL: 0.6 | BLK: 1.2
- Over 29.5 Points (-115 DraftKings)
My second best bet of the night may be a bit corporate for the veteran bettors. I'm taking
Giannis Antetokounmpo
to record over 29.5 points vs the Magic tonight. Averaging over 32 points per game, this line does seem a bit low.
Thee Magic are known for their defensive prowess, and they allow the least amount of points per game with 103. With that said, today is a Cup matchup. Looking to make a run, the Bucks need a victory to advance. If there's one player I trust to carry them to victory, it's Giannis.
Overall, the "Greek Freak" is having another MVP caliber season, averaging career-highs in points (32.5). If it's a blowout, there's a chance this doesn't soar over. However, with +650 odds to win Cup MVP, look for this prop to hit tonight.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Playing At An MVP Level
Through group play stretch, Antetokounmpo has been elite, putting up 28, 23, and 37 vs the Pistons, Pacers, and Raptors. With blow out victories over Detroit and Toronto, Giannis failed to eclipse the 30 point mark. Much to my point, he's averaging over 29 points through group play. Shooting an improbable 77.3 % from the field in those matchups, can he continue the hot streak tonight?
The Magic are excellent in guarding forwards, allowing the third most points in the NBA. Is there anyone quite like Giannis? We've seen him cook against various elite defensive teams, including a 43 point performance vs. the Celtics. With 34 points vs Cleveland, it's fair to see he's more than capable of handing the Magic.
He's nearly unstoppable.
Now with Jonathan Isaac listed as questionable, this prop is even more enticing. Hitting over the 29.5 point mark in four of the last five games, Giannis is averaging 33 points over that span. I know the schedule strength hasn't been particularly difficult.
- However, Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 31+ points in the last four matchups vs the Magic.
Final NBA Cup Quarterfinals Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 29.5 Points (-115 DraftKings)
I expect the Bucks star to continue to see heavy minutes in a must win game today. With Anthony Davis the only forward to tally 30+ (39) points since November, it's going to be a challenge. Especially given the Magic allow the fewest points in the paint with 43.8.
One of the most dominant and consistent players in the NBA, I truly don't believe the Magic have what it takes to keep up on the offensive end. If the defense is gassed, look for Giannis to do what he does best--- attack inside and drive.
- Averaging 31.6 points over the last three games, look for Giannis Antetokounmpo to score over 29.5 points and keep it rolling today.
Player Prop Best Bet #3: Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson 2024-2025 Season Stats
G: 20 | PPG: 13 | FG: 38.9 % | FT: 90 % | 3PT : 36.6 % | REB: 3.5 | AST: 1.8 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 0.4
- Over 15.5 Points + Rebounds (-115 DraftKings)
My last best bet of today, I placed one unit on Mavericks guard
Klay Thompson
to record over 15.5 points and rebounds vs the OKC Thunder.
Given Thompson's recent rebounding success, the guard is grabbing 3.8 rebounds alone over the last five games. With an average of 13 points per game, I was lucky to find the line as low as 15.5 on DraftKings. With the odds and value, let's cash out on this prop tonight.
Bettors were aware Thompsons production would decline next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The third leading scorer for the Mavs, Thompson's been a bit streaky, especially in December. However, the sharpshooter is coming off a 20 point performance vs the Raptors, where he shot 8-16 from the field.
Now that he's found his stride, Thompson hasn't hit over the 20 point line much, which is why this prop is a strong one at 15.5. Yes, Thompson will get his touches, he's averaging 12 shots per game. And although his three-point percentage (40 %) is higher than his field goal percentage (36.9), we can take that as a good sign.
It's not easy playing next to two of the the most ball dominant guards in the NBA. However, with 14 three point attempts in the last two games, there's signs of life for Thompson. Aside from his 22 point performance vs the Warriors in group play, Thompson scored just four points vs the Nuggets and Grizzlies.
I truly don't expect Thompson to struggle as much as he has in Cup games this season. Sure, the Thunder are a great defensive team. They allow the 7th most rebounds to guards alone. With Jason Kidd deploying a smaller three guard lineup, Thompson finds himself at the no. 3 slot tonight.
If we take away the rebound portion, they've allowed six straight guards to score at least 15+ points. That includes:
- Dejounte Murray (26)
- Gradey Dick (15)
- Collin Sexton (17)
- Fred VanVleet (38)
- D'Angelo Russell (17)
As you can see, most of these guards aren't the no. 1 scoring option on the team. Then you include the rebounding prop side. Just recently, Dejounte Muray grabbed 9 boards alone. While i'm expecting Thompson to grab anywhere from 3-5 boards tonight, OKC has struggled in the rebound department. Especially with the absence of Chet Holmgren.
Final NBA Cup Quarterfinals Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Klay Thompson over 15.5 Points + Rebounds (-115 DraftKings)
Returning from injury just six days ago, it's unclear if Thompson still remains under a minutes restriction. Putting up five points and 3 rebounds in one lone game vs OKC, it was a complete disaster. Thompson put up a combined 8 points and rebounds, and that was on 9 % field goal and 12.5 three-point percentage. In other terms, Thompson was held to 1-11 from the field, and 1-8 from deep.
Even suffering through injuries, the guard is still averaging 12.2 points over the last ten games. If the prop line was 16.5 or higher, I would veer away. However, the line is perfectly set at 15.5. Though on a different team, Thompson has a points average alone of 20 points over the last nine games vs OKC.
- I don't expect Thompson to repeat those horrendous shooting numbers, even against a stifling defense. I'm betting on Klay Thompson to record over 15.5 points and rebounds tonight.
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