We’re in Vegas for the NBA Cup Semi Finals! The East will be contested by the Magic and Knicks in what will likely be the tight Semi Final, while the Thunder continue to dominate as they face the young Spurs with the likely return of Wemby.
New York Knicks @ Orlando Magic
This will be the fourth time the Knicks and Magic have faced off this season despite the season being only about seven weeks in, so we should have a decent understanding of what to expect.
The Magic currently lead the head-to-head 2-1, but it was the Knicks who won their matchup a week ago in a low-scoring affair.
Expect another low-scoring contest here with high-intensity defence on both ends and plenty of starter minutes for both teams.
LEG 1 - OG Anunoby 4+ Rebounds
Minutes were back up post-injury last start, with Anunoby playing 36 in the NBA Cup Quarter Final against the Raptors.
When OG plays 30+ minutes, he rebounds the ball well and consistently. From the ten games he’s played 30+ minutes this season, he has averaged 6 rebounds per game and has hit 4+ rebounds in nine of those ten games.
Should play 30+ minutes again, especially with shortened rotations due to both McBride and Shamet missing.
LEG 2 - Desmond Bane 20+ Points
Exploded against the Heat last start — the first full game he played without Franz.
Bane has had some huge games for Orlando of late, scoring 37 points in three of the last six games and averaging just under 25 over that stretch.
Averaged 23.1 points per game when Banchero was missing, so he clearly thrives as the number two offensive option.
LEG 3 - Anthony Black Under 4.5 Assists
I’m calling last game an outlier for Anthony Black, where he had 7 assists against the Heat.
Prior to that game he averaged 4.6 assists across his last 14 appearances and covered 4.5 assists in just three of those games.
The Knicks won’t make it easy for Black — they’re the second-best team in the NBA over the last month at restricting shooting guards in assists, conceding 21% below average. I also expect the majority of the usage to come from Suggs, Banchero and Bane in this NBA Cup Semi Final.
SAME GAME MULTI
Anunoby 4+ Rebounds / Bane 20+ Points / Black Under 4.5 Assists = $4.33
VALUE BET
Dropped 26 on the Knicks back on November 22, and with Banchero yet to find his rhythm since returning from injury, it could mean another big night for the Orlando backcourt.
Suggs has scored 20+ points in three of his last four games and is running at 22.5 points per 36 minutes over his last nine.
