NBA DFS Cheat Sheet: Picks for NBA Cup Semifinals Tonight
The NBA Cup is headed to Las Vegas today with the final four teams set to battle for a spot in the Cup Final. In the Eastern Conference semifinal, the Bucks take on the Hawks. The Western Conference semifinal will be between the Thunder and the Rockets.
These two games bring a ton of offensive firepower, which opens up some targetable opportunities for NBA DFS. Below we will take a look at previews for both of these games, giving you the best NBA DFS picks and predictions for PrizePicks tonight.
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NBA Picks, Predictions for PrizePicks Today
Find game previews, NBA DFS projections, and PrizePicks NBA picks below for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals. You can find today’s full NBA DFS Projections on the PrizePicks app.
Hawks vs. Bucks: Preview & How to Watch
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: TNT
The Hawks and Bucks both got to Vegas in different styles. Milwaukee got its victory at home in a grind-it-out game against the Orlando Magic. The Bucks were down 10 early in the game, but the rest of the game felt that neither team would hold a big lead once again. The Bucks ended up holding on to win 114-109.
The Hawks on the other hand were down a majority of the game, only gaining their first lead of the game in the second half. Trae Young once again proved to be the villain against the Knicks in big games, with 22 points and 11 assists. He closed the game out by standing on the logo and rolling imaginary dice, signaling the team is headed to Vegas.
Atlanta has proven to be killers against the better teams of the East in this NBA Cup run, defeating the Cavaliers, Celtics, and now the Knicks en route to the semifinals. Even with one of the league’s worst defenses in terms of points allowed, Atlanta has found ways to win games.
This game will showcase two top-12 scoring teams in the league, and with the Hawks nearing the league lead in pace, this could be another high-scoring affair like their previous meeting and a majority of Atlanta’s Cup Games.
PrizePicks NBA Pick: Bucks F Taurean Prince 4.5 Points — More
Rockets vs. Thunder: Preview & How to Watch
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: TNT
Fittingly, this Western Conference NBA Cup semifinal gives us the top two teams in the Western Conference. Not only are they the top two teams in the West, they are also the second and third-best defensive teams in the league.
The Thunder held Luka Doncic in check in its semifinal game, leading to a pretty dominant win at home. The Rockets came down to the wire against the Warriors who had won 15 straight against Houston in the regular season before their loss on Wednesday night.
These two teams have met twice already this season with the season series split at one apiece and both teams winning on their home court. Despite being the second and third-best defensive teams respectively, teams combined for over 230 points which could make for another exciting game.
PrizePicks NBA Pick: Rockets G Jalen Green 17 Points — Less
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NBA DFS Picks Today for PrizePicks
Below, you’ll find the top NBA DFS picks today for PrizePicks on Saturday, December 14, in the NBA Cup games.
Thunder G Shai-Gilgeous Alexander vs Rockets: 31.5 Points — More
Despite being one of the best defensive teams in the league, the Rockets do struggle to defend opposing point guards. Houston gives up the third-most points to opposing point guards this season. They have struggled with trying to stop opposing point guards from scoring since the acquisition of Fred VanVleet last season, where they allowed the second-most points to opposing point guards.
Since VanVleet joined the Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander has hit this projection four of five times, with his only miss coming in their first meeting this season where he scored 29. This matchup has proven to be one of the best matchups SGA has faced, and he should continue to thrive in it, especially on one of the biggest stages he has played in so far, especially without Chet Holmgren.
Since Holgren went down in November, SGA has scored 30 points in 10 of 14 games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Projections Today
Here are more Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Projections for NBA DFS on PrizePicks today, Saturday, December 14.
Rockets C Alperen Sengun: 10.5 Rebounds — More
In the two meetings between these teams, Sengun has gone for more than 10.5 rebounds in one, but the matchup against the Thunder is one he will enjoy. The Thunder give up the fifth-most rebounds to opposing centers so far this season. Sengun missed the projection in the first game with 9 rebounds but still had 18 potential rebound opportunities.
Their most recent meeting — which had Thunder C Isaiah Hartenstein back in the rotation — saw a significant increase in both his rebounds and his potential rebounds. Sengun finished with 14 rebounds and 25 potential rebound opportunities. The biggest number difference here though was a massive dropoff in his contested rebound percentage.
Sengun had nearly seven of his nine rebounds contested in their opening matchup. In their second meeting, only 5 of 14 rebounds were contested. That contested rebound percentage dropped from nearly 78% down to 35%.
It seems like both meetings could be outliers in the long run, and this percentage is somewhere more in the middle. However, a contested rebound percentage in the 50 percent range with high potential rebounds like both previous matchups will bode well for Sengun to hit his projection.
Alperen Sengun Projections Today
Here are more Alperen Sengun Projections for NBA DFS on PrizePicks today, Saturday, December 14.
Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo 50.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts — More
Giannis has been playing like one of the contenders for the MVP so far and has been pivotal in bringing the Bucks back from the bottom of the Eastern Conference. He’ll need another big-time performance if he wants to bring Milwaukee to the NBA Cup Finals.
He just missed out on this projection after a 47 PRA performance in their one matchup so far this season. Giannis had 11 potential assists in that game, but only ended up with 5 assists — he is due for some positive regression.
The Hawks give up the fourth-most fantasy points and the seventh-most points and assists to opposing power forwards this season, making this a plus matchup for the Greek Freak.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Projections Today
Here are more Giannis Antetokounmpo Projections for NBA DFS on PrizePicks today, Saturday, December 14.
Hawks G Dyson Daniels 16.5 Pts+Rebs — More
With the emergence of Jalen Johnson as a significant piece, as well as Trae Young always being a threat, this could be the game where Dyson Daniels contributes a little more in all facets of the box score. Daniels only finished with 11 points and rebounds earlier this season against the Bucks.
Even though he missed this projection last time, this is still a good matchup for Daniels against the Bucks who give up the sixth-most points and fourth-most rebounds to opposing shooting guards. Daniels only attempted seven shots and had six potential rebounds in that game.
Daniels averages 13.5 points and 5 rebounds per game this season and shoots nearly 13 times per game as well. If Daniels gets the shooting volume and even gets close to his potential rebounds average on the season, that will give him more opportunities to hit this projection.
Dyson Daniels Projections Today
Here are more Dyson Daniels Projections for NBA DFS on PrizePicks today, Saturday, December 14.
Lock In Your NBA Cup Lineups on PrizePicks
Two teams will book their spot in the NBA Cup Finals on Saturday, and the best place to get real money action on the NBA Cup is on PrizePicks.
PrizePicks is the easiest way to play NBA DFS. On PrizePicks, you can make real money with your NBA takes. Just choose more or less on at least two player projections like the ones above and build your squad.
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Use PrizePicks to build a Lineup of your NBA picks and check out the Playbook daily for more NBA picks for PrizePicks all season long.
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