Just eight teams remain in the hunt in the second edition of the NBA Cup, with quarterfinal action set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Only the best of the best remain, so we should be in for some high quality and high intensity games. We bring you our preview and best bet for all four NBA Cup quarterfinals below!
Also, make sure to head over to our NBA Tips regularly, as we’ll be providing free tips for all the major slates for each and every week of the 2024-25 season!
2024 NBA Cup Quarterfinal Betting Tips
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks (Wednesday 11am AEDT)
The Bucks and Magic face off in an Eastern Conference clash that could be a battle of strengths. Milwaukee brings a strong offence with an offensive rating of 114.8. Their ability to move the ball and knock down shots makes them tough to defend. On the flip side, their defensive rating of 113.8 shows some issues, especially in transition and on the perimeter. The Bucks will need to focus on rebounding and tightening up their defence to take control of this game.
Orlando is one of the league's best defensive teams, with a solid defensive rating of 106.3. They know how to disrupt offences and force turnovers, which could give Milwaukee some trouble. Offensively, the Magic have a rating of 110.8, showing a balanced attack, even if they can be inconsistent. To stay competitive, Orlando will need to control the pace and take advantage of the Bucks’ defensive lapses.
This game looks like a clash of styles: Milwaukee’s high-powered offence against Orlando’s tough defence. If the Bucks can fix their defensive struggles, they’ll have the edge, but the Magic are good enough to make this a close one if they can stay efficient and force mistakes. With that said, I’m happy to be with the Magic to cover the large spread here.
Magic +7.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Dallas Mavericks at OKC Thunder (Wednesday 1:30pm AEDT)
The Mavericks (16-8) travel to face the Thunder (18-5) in what promises to be an exciting Western Conference matchup. The Mavericks boast one of the league’s top offences, with an offensive rating of 119.0, ranking 4th. Their high efficiency stems from strong shooting, including a 37.4% accuracy from three-point range. Defensively, Dallas holds a rating of 111.4, placing them in the league's top 10. However, their defence will be tested against the Thunder’s dynamic style.
Oklahoma City has also had a strong start, with an offensive rating of 118.4, ranked just ahead of Dallas at 3rd. The Thunder thrive on quick ball movement and scoring versatility, which fuels their offensive success. Defensively, Oklahoma City’s rating is 111.2, very close to Dallas, highlighting that this game could come down to execution in key moments.
Both teams are in excellent form which sets up a mouth-watering clash at the Paycom Center in Downtown Oklahoma City. This matchup is likely to feature high-scoring sequences but may ultimately be decided by which team can make crucial defensive stops. However, the Thunder have been extremely tough to overcome on their home deck this season, boasting the best record in the West (9-2), and I have to give them the slight edge as a result.
Thunder -4
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks (Thursday 11:00am AEDT)
The Hawks take on the Knicks on Thursday at Madison Square Garden in what should be an exciting matchup between two high-scoring teams. Atlanta’s offence has been solid with a rating of 112.5, but their defence, with a rating of 115.1, has been a weakness, as they often allow high-percentage shots and second-chance opportunities. If they want to keep up with the Knicks, the Hawks will need to step up on both sides of the ball.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have been one of the best offensive teams in the league this season, with an impressive offensive rating of 121.6. They’re strong in half-court sets and know how to capitalise on scoring chances, making them a tough matchup for the Hawks. Defensively, though, the Knicks have room to improve, with a defensive rating of 114.7, particularly in transition. They’ll need to lock down on defence to prevent the Hawks from getting into a rhythm.
This game will likely come down to whether the Hawks can pick up their defensive intensity to slow down the Knicks’ high-powered offence. The Knicks will also need to focus on containing Atlanta’s scoring threats. With their higher ceiling and more experience in key moments, especially with home-court advantage, the Knicks will likely prove too much for the Hawks to handle.
Knicks -6.5
$1.84 (1 Unit)
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (Thursday 1:30pm AEDT)
The Golden State Warriors are heading to Houston on Thursday for a clash with the Rockets, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting one. The Warriors have been putting up strong numbers offensively, with a rating of 113.3 and an average of 114.1 points per game, thanks to their fast breaks and deadly shooting. But their defence, with a rating of 108.4, has been a bit of a weak spot, especially when it comes to stopping teams in transition or protecting the paint.
The Rockets are no slouches offensively either, with a rating of 112.8 and 113.6 points per game. They move the ball well and play an efficient brand of basketball. On defence, they have the upper hand with a rating of 105.8, meaning they’re pretty good at limiting their opponents strengths. If they can keep Golden State from getting hot from beyond the arc and control the boards, they could really slow the Warriors down.
This game will likely come down to which team can play to its strengths. The Warriors will try to push the pace and bomb away from three, while the Rockets will look to lock down defensively and stay steady on offence. If Houston can keep the defensive pressure up while continuing to score efficiently, they’ll be in a good position to grab the win, and I see them as solid value in this one.
Rockets -2.5
$1.92 (2 Units)
