Bobby Portis (Bucks) OVER 11.5 Points
Starting things off tonight in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals matchup between the Bucks and Magic I look to the Bucks to dominate as the Magic are without their two star players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Milwaukee should disperse the ball tonight and get plenty of bench minutes. Thus, I want you guys to take Bobby Portis to go OVER 10.5 points tonight. Portis puts up 12.8 PPG on the season and he’s coming off his best shooting performance of the year, going 9/10 from the field, 5-5 from deep, and scoring 23 against the Nets on Sunday. Portis has averaged double digit points every season for the last 9 years and I expect him to get some wide open looks in this game. Plus, with Khris Middleton back, the Bucks big three of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Middleton will create so many open shots for others to benefit. I have Portis pegged for 14-16 points tonight. Take Bobby Portis OVER 11.5 points!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) OVER 41.5 PRA (pts, rebs, assts)
For the 2nd free prop I’m looking to the other NBA Cup Quarterfinals matchup and backing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA as they call him, is arguably the best player every time he steps on the court and he can rack up stats in so many ways. I want you guys to take OVER 41.5 PRA for Gilgeous-Alexander tonight. This line is right on his season average but in a bigger and more meaningful game I expect him to create his own shot and really dominate ball possession tonight. His usage right is amongst the top in the league and he’s covered this line in 6 of the last 10 games. In his one game against the Mavericks this season he put up 46 PRA and the MOST IMPORTANT factor is his comfortability against Dallas. In their 6-game playoff series last season he went over this line 6 out of 6 times, averaging 32-8-7 in the series. Look for SGA to get up 25+ shot attempts tonight and fill the box score. Take Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OVER 41.5 PRA for a winner!
Kyrie Irving (Mavericks) UNDER 21.5 Points
For the third and final free prop I want you guys to follow a public fade and take Kyrie Irving UNDER 21.5 points. This play is all about line functionality as it oozes with value. Irving averages 24.3 PPG on the season but oddsmakers post his line well below that at 21.5. Why? First, it’s an important regular season game with the NBA cup against an OKC defense that is elite, ranking 2nd in the NBA allowing just 103 points/game. Irving doesn’t match up well against Gilgeous-Alexander due to height and athleticism and this showed in the 6-game playoff series last year. In those 6 games Luka Doncic really took over and Irving averaged just 15.7 PPG on 14 shot attempts/game. I expect a similar style of play tonight and love the under here. Take Kyrie Irving UNDER 21.5 points and let’s sweep the board!
Check out YLose Handicapper Luke "Prop Master" Shuey every day as he breaks down Player Props and releases free picks for NFL, NBA, MLB as well as College Sports such as NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball on his daily podcast available anywhere you get your podcasts from. Ylose.com/props.