With the NBA Cup Final on Tuesday, NBA Pick'Em players on Sleeper, Underdog and Pick6 can gain an edge by leaning on reliable NBA projections, updated NBA injury reports and accurate NBA starting lineups.
Whether you're tracking fantasy basketball rankings, consulting a fantasy basketball cheat sheet or checking NBA depth charts, today's matchups offer plenty of actionable angles.
Using tools like an NBA lineup optimizer, NBA player projections and the latest fantasy basketball news can help shape smarter picks. As always, staying aware of NBA rumors, sleepers and breaking NBA news is key when evaluating today's props.
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NBA Pick'Em For NBA Cup Final: Spurs vs. Knicks
Julian Champagnie over 13.5 points + rebounds + assists, Sleeper, 1 PM CT
Champagnie was limited to just three points in the win over the Thunder in the semifinals of the NBA Cup, but he still finished with 13 P+R+A. There's certainly value in this line when looking at Champagnie's recent performances. He has scored in double digits in eight of his previous 11 appearances, regardless of whether he's starting or playing off the bench, and he's achieved this 13.5 P+R+A line nine times over that stretch. There could be some regression given that he's playing off the bench, but he's still averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 25.3 minutes per game when deployed off the second unit. He sees enough minutes to believe he can hit this line once again.
Jalen Brunson under 40.5 points + rebounds + assists, Underdog, 1 PM CT
Brunson scored 35 points in the win over the Raptors and added a 40-point piece in the win over the Magic in the two games of the NBA Cup knockout stages. One would think he might be able to extend that streak of play against the Spurs in the tournament's final, but the Spurs are coming off a performance in which they found a way to slow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander down. Brunson will have to deal with De'Aaron Fox, who's one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, while also dealing with the help of two athletic guards in Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Brunson will get his fair share of points and peripheral stats, but don't be surprised if he fails to hit this line for the first time since Dec. 5, when he "only" finished with 33 points, two rebounds and four assists in a 146-112 win over the Jazz. The defensive intensity of the Spurs will be too much, especially since it'll be focused almost entirely on Brunson.
Karl-Anthony Towns over 23.5 points + assists, Pick6, 1 PM CT
Given that the defensive attention will be focused on Brunson, Towns could take advantage. The star big man posted 29 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday, and he's recorded at least 22 points + assists in five of his last six appearances. The value is there, although Towns will probably have to rely heavily on his scoring prowess to have a shot at hitting this line. After all, he's averaging a mere 3.2 assists per game this season. Towns could eventually operate as a secondary playmaker if the defensive pressure on Brunson becomes too suffocating, but the big man will be heavily involved on offense either way, which is a good omen for the completion of this line.
