Props

NBA DFS Pick’Em Strategy: How To Maximize Value

Justin Bales — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0000

Making money on player props isn’t strictly about finding winners. You certainly need to be able to make knowledgeable decisions about the players, but you also need to handle aspects that aren’t directly involved with the NBA.

Below, I’ll break down not only how to succeed with these outside aspects but also where to look to find what to pick with the players.

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NBA Pick’Em Tips: Max Value Strategies

Make sure to implement all our best tips and winning strategies in your picks this season.

Bankroll Management

The most difficult aspect of player props for young users to understand is that you will lose. You’ll lose a lot. It isn’t about winning every play. It’s about making money. There’s a ton of variance in sports, and a loss doesn’t necessarily mean it was a bad pick. On the other hand, a win also doesn’t mean it was a good pick.

The easiest way to limit this variance is by using smart bankroll management. There’s enough variance in the actual sport and results themselves, you don’t need to add more variance via your style of play.

There are several ways you can use your bankroll, but it has to stay consistent. First, 1 unit should equal 1% of your bankroll. If you have a $1,000 bankroll, 1 unit would equal $10.

Once you understand units, you simply need to stay consistent. The easiest way to do this is to place 1 unit on every play. As you win more, your units increase, and you’ll place more actual money (not more units) on each play.

If you want to get more advanced, you can create a scale between 1 and 5. You can play 1 unit on your least favorite plays and 5 units on your favorite ones. The in-between will sit at 2, 3, and 4 units. This is for more advanced players, as you have to make decisions about how much you like specific plays compared to others.

Regardless of whether you’re a novice or expert, you need to have smart, disciplined bankroll management, or you aren’t going to profit over the long run.

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Leverage Sites

Leveraging sites is one of the best ways to find edges in player props. There are a few different ways to leverage sites, as they all offer different types of ways to play player props.

The first way to leverage a site is to compare the actual prop. For instance, LeBron James could be set at 23.5 points on PrizePicks, 24.5 on Underdog, and 22.5 on Sleeper. Assuming the payout is the same on all three sites, you’re getting the biggest discount on Sleeper. That’s where you should play.

When considering this, it’s important to understand that getting even a point off of a total can add up over the long run.

The second way to leverage these sites is via the payout. PrizePicks has set payouts, excluding stacks, while Sleeper has variable odds, and Underdog is a combination of both of them.

If you have a play [same on all sites] that involves Luka Doncic and Trae Young, you should compare the payouts on each site. It’ll be 3x on PrizePicks, but it might be 3.15x on Underdog and 3.35x on Sleeper. In this instance, Sleeper is the best site to make this play.

You may think 0.35x is only a slight increase, but if you extrapolate this over 100 wins, you’re now up +35 units compared to PrizePicks and +20 units over Underdog.

Minutes

Minutes are the most important aspect to consider for the NBA. If you aren’t on the court, you can’t record stats. It’s simple, but it’s an overlooked aspect of playing NBA props.

Limited opportunities limit players drastically more in basketball than in other sports. If you get only one shot at the basket, your ceiling is 4 points. In baseball, one at-bat can turn into a home run. In football, one play can turn into 99 yards and a touchdown.

You certainly want more opportunities in other sports, but opportunities are more important in basketball because of the limited ceiling a player has on any individual opportunity. More minutes equal more opportunity for specific opportunities.

Andre Drummond is one of the easiest players to see this with in the NBA because his high-end per-minute production is outstanding. In 2023-24, Drummond averaged 8.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks in only 17.1 minutes per game for the Chicago Bulls.

On a normal basis, Drummond is limited in his opportunities because of his lack of minutes. On a per-36-minute basis, his averages are 17.7 points, 18.9 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks.

Granted, more minutes don’t guarantee production to expand at a certain rate, but the minutes show the difference in what’s available for a player, particularly like Drummond.

Matchups

Matchups are one of the most important aspects of projecting basketball props. Some teams are drastically better or worse against certain positions, and those are situations you can avoid or take advantage of.

In 2023-24, the Washington Wizards allowed 26.72 points per game to opposing centers. It was the most in the NBA. The Sacramento Kings allowed only 19.57 points per game to the position, which was the lowest in the league. The difference between these teams was an average of 7.15 points per game.

Matchups aren’t only important for points, though. They’re important for every aspect of basketball. Rebounds, assists, three-pointers, steals, blocks, and turnovers are all aspects that are affected by matchups.

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Injuries/Rest Days

Injuries and rest days are one of the most important in the NBA because they dictate minutes and opportunities. These aren’t quite as important for players with small roles, and they are more important for stars. That isn’t to say they aren’t important for everyone, depending on the situation.

When a player misses a game, their minutes and opportunities are distributed to others. For example, if Nikola Vucevic would’ve missed a game in 2023-24, Drummond would’ve bumped from ~17 minutes to closer to 30. The difference in minutes gives an immediate upgrade in opportunity.

When you’re considering stars, the opportunities are more than just minutes. Certain players demand the ball, and it limits the opportunities of others. For example, the Milwaukee Bucks stars Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton averaged 5.1 and 4.0 more points per game without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court.

Injuries and rest days change players’ minutes and roles, which are what create opportunities. It’s an important aspect of figuring out those potential stats.

Advanced Metrics

Box scores are a useful tool sometimes, but they generally don’t tell us what we want to know. They tell us the past, but we’re looking at the future. There are several predictive stats that we can use to have a better chance at hitting player props in the future.

For scoring, shot attempts are more important than points. If one player shoots 5/20 and another shoots 5/5 and they both score 10 points, they look the same in the box score. They aren’t the same, though, and we can project that in the future, the first player will find [positive] regression while the second player will find [negative] regression.

Rebound chances are more important than actual rebounds. I prefer the player with fewer rebounds and more chances in the future compared to the player with more rebounds and fewer chances. Keep in mind, these are for drastic differences, as some players are better at converting their chances.

Arguably the most important of these predictive stats are potential assists. So much can go wrong with assists because you’re banking on a player to do something very specific with the ball while also making the shot. There’s variance to shooting, and potential assists will always predict the future better than assists in the box score.

Featured Image Credit: Imagn

The post NBA DFS Pick’Em Strategy: How To Maximize Value appeared first on Props.

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Sam Pasco — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:07:37 +0000

We’ve got the NBA Cup Championship set for Tuesday night in Las Vegas, and it doesn’t get much better than this. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face off against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks with a trophy on the line. If you’re signing up at BetMGM Sportsbook for the first time, the BetMGM promo code unlocks one of the best welcome offers in the industry. New users can claim up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets if their first wager loses. This BetMGM welcome offer is fantastic, and tonight’s high-profile NBA Cup finals matchup between the Knicks and Spurs is a great game to get started!

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Knicks vs Spurs NBA Cup Championship Preview

The Championship is set. One game to decide the NBA Cup.

The New York Knicks (18–7) meet the San Antonio Spurs (18–7) in the NBA Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It’s a star-driven matchup featuring two of the league’s brightest young centerpieces: Jalen Brunson vs Victor Wembanyama.

Oddsmakers give the Knicks a slight edge, due in part to their experience and the expectation that Wembanyama will remain on a minutes restriction in just his second game back after a 12-game absence.

Still, the Spurs have been one of the league’s most dangerous teams all season—and Las Vegas fans have clearly embraced Wemby and company as crowd favorites.

NBA Cup Championship Odds (via BetMGM)

Matchup	Spread	Total	Moneyline
Knicks vs Spurs	NYK -2.5	223.5	NYK -135 / SA +115

(Lines subject to change)

How to Watch Knicks vs Spurs

Tipoff: 8:30 PM ET, Tuesday, December 16
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TV/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
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Knicks on a Hot Streak

New York has won nine of its last ten games, powered by elite shot-making from Jalen Brunson and a more polished offense under head coach Mike Brown. Karl-Anthony Towns has thrived in his role, and the Knicks’ improved bench depth has been a major factor during their NBA Cup run.

Brunson enters the final on a torrid stretch, scoring 30+ points in four straight games, including a 40-point performance in the semifinals against Orlando.

Spurs Rising Fast

San Antonio’s growth has been one of the league’s biggest stories. Even without Wembanyama, the Spurs went 10–2 during his absence, and his return has only amplified their ceiling.

In the semifinals, Wembanyama’s presence completely altered the Thunder’s offense, helping snap Oklahoma City’s 16-game win streak. The Spurs’ defense, length, and discipline have made them a nightmare matchup on a neutral floor.

Top BetMGM Player Props for the NBA Cup Final

Here are some of the most popular Knicks vs Spurs player props available at BetMGM for Tuesday night.

Knicks Player Props on BetMGM

Jalen Brunson – Over 30.5 Points
Brunson is averaging 28.8 points per game this season and has cleared 30 points in four straight contests. San Antonio limits threes, but Brunson’s elite midrange scoring and foul-drawing ability make him one of the safest high-usage options on the board.

Karl-Anthony Towns – Over 20.5 Points
Towns has flourished in the Knicks’ new offensive system, averaging over 22 points per game. If San Antonio keeps Wembanyama off the floor for extended stretches, Towns’ size advantage becomes critical.

Spurs Player Props on BerMGM

Victor Wembanyama – Under 22.5 Points
Wembanyama is expected to remain on a minutes restriction, which makes his points prop tricky. While his impact is massive even in limited time, betting the under can make sense if San Antonio prioritizes having him fresh late.

Stephon Castle – Over 17.5 Points
Castle has been one of the breakout stars of the NBA Cup and is a leading candidate for MVP if the Spurs win. He’s averaging over 18 points per game and thrives in high-leverage moments.

Final Thoughts: NBA Cup Championship Betting

The Knicks bring experience, scoring punch, and playoff-tested veterans. The Spurs bring length, defensive chaos, and the most unique player in basketball. Whether this game previews the 2026 NBA Finals or simply crowns a new NBA Cup champion, it’s one of the most compelling matchups of the season.

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The post BetMGM Promo Code: Claim $1500 in Bonus Bets For NBA Cup Finals (Dec. 16) appeared first on Props.

How To Play DraftKings Pick6: 2025 Strategy Guide For Beginners

Keith Eyster — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:37:02 +0000

Welcome to an introduction on how to play DraftKings Pick6! If learning a new game format feels daunting, you have come to the right place.

Here, we’ll discuss a basic overview and breakdown of the relatively new format available at DraftKings, including some strategies to think about when getting started.

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DraftKings Pick6 Strategy Guide (2025)

If you have played Pick ‘em contests on sites like Underdog or PrizePicks, there should be a seamless path to understanding and getting you all set for the action.

If not, no big deal. We are here to help introduce you!

How To Play DraftKings Pick6

In short, you are selecting whether a player will exceed or fall short of a projection determined by DraftKings.

Your Pick Set consists of 2-6 selections that will be entered into a pool to compete against other users’ Pick Sets of the same level.

If three picks are in your Pick Set, you will compete against users who also submitted a Pick Set at the same Level.

The statistical categories to choose from are vast and dependent on the sport.

WHAT IS DRAFTKINGS PICK6?

According to the DraftKings website:

Pick6 is a peer-to-peer daily fantasy sports (DFS) contest variant offered by DraftKings.

Build a lineup, also known as your “Pick Set”, by choosing 2 or more players (3 or more in CO) and selecting whether you believe they will outperform their stat projections.

Compete in contests against other users’ Pick Sets and win prizes by making the required number of correct picks.

The entries you compete against are determined by the number of picks you decide to make in your Pick Set (your “Pick Level”).

Your Pick Set will only compete against entries of the same Pick Level. The pool of available athletes and their associated stat projections is called a “Pick Group”.

PRIZES AND PAYOUTS

The prize distribution follows a tiered structure based on accuracy.

This means your winnings depend not just on your accuracy, but also on how many other users achieved the same level of success.

The majority of the prize pool will be paid to users who have successfully selected all of their picks in a set.

DraftKings describes a typical contest payout as a “$500 split among all entries with 6/6 picks correct. $200 split among all entries with 5/6 picks correct. $100 split among all entries with 4/6 picks correct.”

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More DraftKings Pick6 STRATEGIES

The unique thing about Pick6 compared to other Pick ‘em games like Underdog is that you are competing against other users.

Their success (in addition to yours) determines the amount of the payout that will go to the winning Sets.

Because of that fact, it can be beneficial to have a contrarian approach to your picks in pursuit of larger payouts.

Player On/Off Splits

For example, let’s assume you are playing an NFL Pick6 contest and Justin Jefferson is a popular pick in the industry to exceed his receiving yards projection.

Omitting that pick from your Pick Set can give you a leg-up on the competition if Jefferson fails to exceed his projection.

We can take it a step further if we introduce correlation by thinking about who might benefit from Jefferson’s failure.

Including his teammate Jordan Addison to exceed his projected receiving yards in your Pick Set could give you another degree of separation from the field, and thus boost your payout in a given contest if you are correct.

Correlating Picks

Once you’ve mastered the basics of how to play DraftKings Pick6, correlating picks in a given game can also be a beneficial, advanced strategy to consider.

A fast-paced game in the NBA could lead to multiple players exceeding their projections. Additionally, an overtime contest could give you a further advantage.

Similarly, game-script can be an important part of statistical projection.

In the NFL, teams ahead on the scoreboard generally increase their rushing rate, while trailing teams often drop back to pass at a higher rate.

Pairing a favored running back with an underdog pass catcher in your Pick Sets can lead to correlated results that benefit your selections.

Having a trusted source of your own projections is key to identifying the DraftKings projections against which you might find the most edge for a given slate.

The peer-to-peer format adds another wrinkle that can make this format loads of fun and highly profitable for the most savvy users.

The post How To Play DraftKings Pick6: 2025 Strategy Guide For Beginners appeared first on Props.

NFL Cheat Sheet: Maximizing Profits in DFS & Sports Betting

Keith Eyster — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:53:00 +0000

Whether you are new to sports betting and daily fantasy sports or simply looking to improve your process, the amount of information and statistics available can be overwhelming. Everyone could use an NFL betting cheat sheet and strategy refresher!

Of course, we are familiar with the statistics that score fantasy points like yards and touchdowns, but there are other metrics and trends that can be predictive of future success and production.

Let’s dive into some of those other metrics that may not be as familiar.

Editor’s Note: Follow our NFL news hub for more FREE expert picks, props, and analysis throughout the entire 2025 season!

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NFL Betting Cheat Sheet – Stats That Matter

Let’s dive into some very important statistics, terms, and trends to integrate into your routine when deciphering the best picks for DFS and sports betting.

You can find in our 2025 NFL futures article that many of these principles that matter can be applied to those types of picks.

PLAYING TIME

One of the most important factors in projecting production is how much a given player will actually be on the field.

The current state of NFL backfields involves the usage of multiple players to curb workload and injuries, meaning the days of the “workhorse” running back are mostly in the past.

Likewise, different personnel packages can lead to different receivers on the field at different times. Playing time metrics like snap share and route participation can be highly beneficial to our success in determining where the potential production lies.

For example, in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season, Bucky Irving played 52% of the Buccaneers’ backfield snaps, compared to 49% for Rachaad White.

It was the first time all season Irving had outsnapped White when both backs were healthy, but it was a foreshadowing of the Bucs’ plans for the rest of the season. Over the next 7 weeks, Irving played 23 more snaps than White and led the Bucs’ backfield in fantasy points.

Wide receivers and tight ends can experience similar volatility in playing time.

Snap share can be useful for deciphering trends, but route participation is an even better metric for pass catchers.

A slot wide receiver like the Packers’ Jayden Reed only played on 63.7% of snaps in 2024, but he ran a route on 72.7% of pass plays.

Players who have been labeled a “war daddy” by their coach:

Jayden Reed (2023)
Puka Nacua (2024)
Chuba Hubbard & Rico Dowdle (2025)
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) July 30, 2025

This illustrates the Packers’ intended usage for him and demonstrates his heavy involvement in their passing attack, even if he is not on the field as much as other pass catchers.

We can use playing time trends like snap share and route participation to find players that may be undervalued or overvalued by the market, which can be useful in both player prop betting and daily fantasy sports.

TOUCHES AND OPPORTUNITY

Just being on the field isn’t enough to guarantee fantasy production.

Just as important as how often a player will be on the field, how often a given player will touch the ball can directly correlate to their fantasy production.

At the running back position, rushing attempts are the most obvious way to accumulate fantasy points.

The back that is on the field the most is usually the player who is touching the ball the most, but not always.

Rushing attempt share can further help determine the most valuable roles.

There are other factors like efficiency and red zone touches to discuss later, but generally, the highest volume of attempts is going to lead to the most fantasy production.

Receptions are the primary source of touches for wide receivers and tight ends, and they are an important piece of running back production as well.

Targets are an excellent metric to determine which players are most likely to rack up receptions, and target share can help determine how the volume is dispersed on a given team.

An important thing to remember is that not all targets come with the same value. ADOT (Average Depth of Target) is an important metric that can help determine in which area of the field a player is being targeted.

A low ADOT is not necessarily bad, as those targets are easier to convert. This is especially true if the low ADOT comes with high volume, like in the case of a wideout like Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Air yards is another metric that can help determine the value of targets and also identify potentially undervalued players.

The volatility of deep targets can lead to players with opportunities for big plays not yet realizing their potential.

SCORING CHANCES

This is one of the more exciting components of the NFL betting strategy cheat sheet.

Projecting touchdowns is one of the more volatile things in fantasy football, but they obviously carry extreme weight.

Rushing touchdowns can come from anywhere on the field, but they are most often scored from inside the 5-yard line.

Obviously, it makes sense to review who is getting those opportunities.

Of the top 10 rushing touchdown scorers in 2024, eight of them ranked in the top 10 in carries inside the 5-yard line.

James Cook tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns, yet he ranked just 21st in carries inside the 5-yard line. He would be considered a candidate to see significant touchdown regression in the upcoming campaign.

Receiving touchdowns more often come from deeper downfield, but end zone targets can still help determine players with ample opportunity to find paydirt.

Ja’Marr Chase led the league in both receiving touchdowns and end zone targets in 2024.

Terry McLaurin, Mike Evans, Justin Jefferson, and Tee Higgins all ranked top 10 in both categories.

As for the wide receivers who could see positive touchdown regression, Courtland Sutton and Marvin Harrison Jr. both ranked top four in end zone targets, but finished tied for 13th in receiving touchdowns.

EFFICIENCY

While volume and opportunity are the more reliable metrics and the best indicator of fantasy production, there are a few outliers that can be identified by using efficiency metrics like yards per carry and yards per route run.

Puka Nacua was the most efficient wide receiver in the 2024 season, with 3.57 yards per route run.

Puka Nacua propaganda pic.twitter.com/nT6TakignA
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 17, 2025

The Rams star is also a volume monster with a 29.9% target share, so he is easily identifiable as an elite fantasy asset.

A receiver like Marvin Mims, who managed just a 9.7% target share but finished fourth in yards per route run, was able to outperform his opportunity.

Mims finished as the WR77 in fantasy points per game despite ranking 98th in target share.

Volume is almost always going to trump efficiency, but there are some opportunities to identify undervalued players by looking at efficiency.

Featured Image Credit: Imagn

The post NFL Cheat Sheet: Maximizing Profits in DFS & Sports Betting appeared first on Props.

Five Key Statistics To Know For NBA Betting & DFS

Justin Carlucci — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:53:00 +0000

If you’re new to fantasy basketball or betting on it, statistics and metrics can be very overwhelming when they’re constantly shoved in your face.

A few players’ individual statistics are much more important than the rest. Let’s dive into those.

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Five Key Statistics To Know For NBA Betting & DFS

Outlined below are five of the most important NBA DFS and betting stats and why you should factor them into your decision-making process.

Minutes Played

This one seems too obvious, right? A player’s minutes are the granddaddy of it all because if a player isn’t on the floor, there is no opportunity to accumulate statistics.

However, it’s not that simple. Coaches will tweak rotations during the season, and oftentimes it could be a subtle change from game-to-game. The best, most meticulous beat reporters may have no clue about a closed-door conversation about changing a player’s role.

The good news is that there are plenty of coaches in the league with a track record of rotation tendencies. For example, Kncks’ coach Tom Thibodeau is notorious for running his starters into the ground and running a tight bench rotation.

The NBA is unlike any other major sports. Starting lineups are very fluid due to injuries, players on back-to-back games, and trade deadlines.

As a result, there are constantly new players being thrust into different/uncharted roles and situations.

Usage Rate

Players who are used the most typically accumulate the most statistics. This one isn’t so hard to comprehend either, but not enough bettors/DFSers take it into consideration.

More specifically, NBA.com cites usage rate as “the percentage of his team’s possessions that a player ends (via field goal attempts, turnovers and trips to the line) while he’s on the floor.”

To paint a broader picture, Joel Embiid led the NBA with a 38% usage rate last season, and there were only 15 players who logged a usage rate higher than 30% across the entire season. If someone has a 30% usage rate, they are a huge part offensively. Some other players who met that criteria unsurprisingly include Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, LaMelo Ball, and Jalen Brunson.

Now, when you take a look at minutes, roles changing, and usage rates, you can draw some conclusions to predict an upcoming big game.

For example, Jalen Brunson is a huge part of the Knicks’ offense again this season, with a 29% usage rate this season. What if he gets ruled out? When he’s off the floor, that greatly affects the responsibilities and roles of his contributing teammates.

Although they play different positions, Karl-Anthony Towns has seen more than a 6% usage increase this season when Brunson isn’t sharing the court with him. He’s by far the biggest beneficiary of Brunson sitting, and that means Towns should be the new ringleader of the offense.

Sportsbooks will adjust lines based upon news, but sometimes they can overreact and set a line too high or not reopen a line high enough, and that’s where you can still get an edge.

Potential Assist & Rebound Chances

These metrics are very similar when it comes to measuring how much opportunity a player may have had in a single game despite varying results.

Two truths: nobody can win every rebound battle, and nobody can make every shot.

A potential assist is technically defined as “a pass to a teammate who shoots within one dribble of receiving the ball.” Assists greatly depend on a distributor’s teammates, so it’s not always someone’s fault when an assist number is low.

For example (hypothetically), Chris Paul may have only had seven assists yesterday, but perhaps he had a league-high 19 potential assists during his game on Sunday. He was definitely doing his job by being an elite passer of the ball, but the Spurs only shot 25% from 3-point land on the night, causing CP3 to miss out on plenty of statistics.

You can look through trends and draw conclusions why these numbers may have fluctuated. De’Aaron Fox was just traded from Sacramento, and they don’t really have a replacement point guard. My guess is Malik Monk will slide into that role. I would expect the ball to be in his hands a lot more, for him to throw more passes per game, resulting in both more potential and actual assists.

NBA.com defines a rebound chance as follows: “a player has a rebound chance if they are the closest player to the ball at any point in time between when the ball has crossed below the rim to when it is fully rebounded.”

You can sift through these numbers to hunt for trends just like potential assists. Team matchups and minutes are two of the bigger causes for rebound chances to change. Some teams are quite literally physically big inside, and some teams play much slower than others.

That brings me to my last talking point. Pace.

Pace

This one is fairly self-explanatory. Pace is sometimes referred to as tempo. The faster a game is, the more chances there are for points, rebounds, assists, and every other counting statistic.

When two fast teams play in terms of pace, the Vegas game total is generally much higher than usual. Those are good games to target for individual performances. Player prop lines should be higher than usual, and these are typically where the most popular DFS plays of the day end up.

You can find an edge when a slow team is playing a fast team. We like to call that a pace-up spot for the slower team. It’s even sweeter if the slow team is a big underdog, which should force them to play faster while trailing when time is running out later in the game.

We are ironically going to give another Jalen Brunson example, who averages 27.6 points per game this season. The Knicks play at the league’s seventh-slowest pace, and the Hawks play at the second-fastest pace in the league.

Let’s pretend the Hawks are favored. If a sportsbook is listing Brunson’s scoring prop at its typical line and price, that bet should be a great spot to target. Brunson is the best player on a slow team.

Of course, there are plenty of other variables that affect someone’s performance, but it’s a favorite scenario of mine to hunt for.

Featured Image Credit: Imagn

The post Five Key Statistics To Know For NBA Betting & DFS appeared first on Props.

Daily Promo Roundup: NBA & NHL Free Picks

Props Staff — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:33:26 +0000

In this daily resource on Props, we will dive into all of the best DFS promos on sites like Underdog Picks, DraftKings Pick6, Sleeper Picks, FanDuel Picks, Chalkboard Fantasy, Betr Picks and more!

Check back often to see how you can best maximize value and your bankrolls.

Check out our best promos today for all of your favorite DFS pick’em sites.

Underdog

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Use Underdog promo code “PROPS” when signing up to get $75 in bonus entries when you play $5.

Sleeper

Another DFS site to keep checking for promos is Sleeper. The app regularly has picks on sale for new and current users.

Here’s the current new player sign-up offer at Sleeper:

Use Sleeper promo code “PROPS” when signing up to get a FREE $20 entry and a first time deposit match up to $100.

DraftKings Pick6

The Pick6 product, available in 25+ states, has become quite popular on DraftKings.

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FanDuel Picks

DFS and betting giants FanDuel continue to add new products.

FanDuel Picks is the operator’s recently introduced version of DFS pick’em, and any new customer can get $60 in bonuses after playing $5.

IMPORTANT: Even if you already have a FanDuel Fantasy/Sportsbook account, you are eligible for the bonus on Picks. Try it out today!

Betr Picks

Betr often has a list of trending players who have boosted odds, along with gimme picks for existing and new players.

The DFS pick’em app recently introduced payout increases as well:

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Chalkboard Fantasy

Don’t forget about Chalkboard Fantasy, which offers a slick DFS pick’em experience.

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Use Chalkboard promo code “PROPS” to get a $100 deposit match + one free pick for your first entry.

Dabble Fantasy

Dabble is a fun way to make social sports predictions, and the DFS app has been making waves in the US.

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Wanna Parlay

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Boom Fantasy

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FastDraft

FastDraft is a year-round fantasy football option that lets players draft who they want when they want.

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ParlayPlay

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The post Daily Promo Roundup: NBA & NHL Free Picks appeared first on Props.

NBA First Basket Predictions – Top First Basket Scorer Prop Bets

Scott Krones — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:41:06 +0000

Looking for the best NBA first basket predictions and top first points plays today? You’re in luck! In this article, the Props crew will outline their top NBA first basket picks for every day of the basketball season.

We mean it, because we deliver our best bets for every day there’s a game on the calendar. No load management here!

Below are our best NBA first basket predictions today. Be sure to check our NBA player props for more top selections for the current NBA slate.

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Best NBA First Basket Predictions Today

Every day during the NBA regular season and playoffs, we run through our favorite first basket bets and predictions of the night.

Tuesday, December 16th

It’s the NBA Cup Final, featuring the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Let’s see if we can hit another winner after Jaylen Brown came through for us last night.

Most important injury situations for Tuesday:

Miles McBride (OUT)

Opening tipoff win percentages so far this season (via BettingPros):

Highest first shot percentages on this slate (minimum of 15 starts):

Content coming soon!

Check back later.

NBA First Points Picks & Longshots

Our first basket plays, featuring a mix of shorter/longer odds

Coming soon!

Check back later.

Read through more of our NBA player props content for the 2025/26 season.

As always, everything is 100% free:

Best Player Props Today
NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
Daily Promo Roundup

Draftkings Sportsbook

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Monday, December 15th

There are five NBA games on tonight’s schedule, and we’re here to break things down from a DFS and betting perspective.

Most important injury situations for Monday:

James Harden (Q)
Anthony Davis (Q)
Zach Edey (OUT)
Jusuf Nurkic (OUT)
RJ Barrett (OUT)

Nurkic’s absence is noteworthy, as he’s guided Utah to a nice winning rate on opening tips.

Highest opening tipoff win percentages so far this season (via BettingPros):

Jazz (75.0%)
Grizzlies (60.0%)
Raptors (57.7%)
Heat (52.0%)
Nuggets (45.8%)

Highest first shot percentages on this slate (minimum of 15 starts):

Bam Adebayo (26.3%)
John Collins (25.0%)
Ace Bailey (20.0%)
Norman Powell (20.0%)
Lauri Markkanen (17.4%)
Jaylen Brown (16.7%)
Jaylen Wells (16.0%)
Kevin Durant (15.0%)
Cade Cunningham (14.3%)

Notable omissions due to lack of sample size:

Cedric Coward (12 starts, 41.7% first shot)
Anthony Davis (11 starts, 18.2% first shot)
Ja Morant (13 starts, 15.4% first shot)

NBA First Points Picks & Longshots

Our first basket plays, featuring a mix of shorter/longer odds

Quick note: Because success in the NBA is so dependent on news and making the correct reactions, it’s often prudent to wait for more clarity before making picks.

That’s especially true for a market like first basket, where starting lineups and even the smallest of changes can affect the best value.

The exception would be if you feel strongly that a certain player will/will not play and want to get ahead of potential line movement.

Jaylen Brown First Points (+510) – Payton Pritchard is currently questionable with neck spasms for tonight’s home game against the Pistons. Jaylen Brown has been a usage monster in the absence of Jayson Tatum and owns one of the highest first shot percentages on the slate (16.7%).

Teammate Derrick White is also interesting at longer odds (+740) given his increase in offensive responsibilities this season.

Kawhi Leonard First Points (+790) – James Harden is questionable to play, and his absence would increase Kawhi’s probability of scoring the first points.

Either way, we like the number here, as Leonard has been in the midst of one of his best scoring campaigns in years, having averaged 28.1 points and 20.8 field goal attempts per 36 in 15 appearances (Basketball Reference).

Read through more of our NBA player props content for the 2025/26 season.

As always, everything is 100% free:

Best Player Props Today
NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
Daily Promo Roundup

Draftkings Sportsbook

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Sunday, December 14th

It should be a fun Saturday in the NBA, as there are a lot of games and interesting DFS/betting opportunities on the schedule.

Injury update:

Key news to watch (status as of 3 ET)

Questionable:
Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Zion Williamson, Dillon Brooks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dennis Schroder, Kevin Huerter

Probable:
Coby White

Likely to play:
Donovan Clingan

Doubtful:
Ayo Dosunmu pic.twitter.com/FPQkCpk6en
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) December 14, 2025

Highest opening tipoff win percentages so far this season (via BettingPros):

Lakers (70.8%)
Suns (68.0%)
Nets (66.7%)
Cavaliers (65.4%)
76ers (54.2%)

Highest first shot percentages on this slate (minimum of 15 starts):

Grayson Allen (35.3.%)
Andrew Nembhard (29.4%)
Luka Doncic (27.8%)
Dillon Brooks (22.2%)
Herbert Jones (22.2%)
Kon Knueppel (20.8%)

NBA First Points Picks & Longshots

Our first basket plays, featuring a mix of shorter/longer odds

Michael Porter Jr. First Points (+390) – Will continue to ride the MPJ train. The Nets’ starting five is horrendous and they need his shot creation desperately. It doesn’t hurt that Brooklyn won’t have to contend with Giannis, who’s been ruled out for the Bucks.

Deni Avdija First Points (+630) – We like the value on Portland’s best offensive player. The leash has been let off Avdija, who’s taken a huge jump in 2025/26. He’s averaging career-highs in minutes, points and field goal attempts ahead of Sunday night’s date with Steph Curry and the Warriors.

Good luck!

NOTE: Full analysis will return on Monday, December 15th.

Read through more of our NBA player props content for the 2025/26 season.

As always, everything is 100% free:

Best Player Props Today
NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
Daily Promo Roundup

Draftkings Sportsbook

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Saturday, December 13th

Well, the picks were pretty on point yesterday. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

Michael Porter Jr. First Points (+475) – W
Paul George First Points (+640) – W
Nickeil Alexander-Walker First Points (+740) – W
Ace Bailey First Points (+890) – L

Bailey got the first shot attempt but couldn’t convert, preventing us from hitting an insane first points sweep. Oh well, not a shabby night!

Let’s see what is standing out for Saturday night in the NBA. It’s the NBA Cup semis, with the Magic taking on the Knicks and the Thunder battling the Spurs in Vegas.

Injury update:

Injuries 12/13

NYK:
Deuce McBride – Out
Landry Shamet – Out

ORL:
Franz Wagner – Out
Moe Wagner – Out
Colin Castleton – Out

SAS:
Victor Wembanyama – Probable

OKC:
Isaiah Joe – Out
Nikola Topic – Out
Thomas Sorber – Out
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) December 13, 2025

Opening tipoff win percentages so far this season (via BettingPros):

Magic (76.0%)
Spurs (70.8%)
Thunder (68.0%)
Knicks (45.8%)

Highest first shot percentages on this slate (minimum of 20 starts):

Wendell Carter Jr. (25.0%)
Jalen Brunson (22.7%)
Jalen Suggs (20.0%)
Devin Vassell (16.7%)
Chet Holmgren (14.3%)

Notably, Victor Wembanyama is scheduled to return from injury. That’s a big boost for San Antonio’s chances of winning the tipoff, and Wemby himself has posted a 16.7% first shot percentage in 12 starts this season.

NBA First Points Picks & Longshots

Our first basket plays, featuring a mix of shorter/longer odds

Remember that both games are at a neutral site in Vegas!

Paolo Banchero First Points (+565) – Banchero has now had a few games to regain conditioning and confidence after a long injury layoff. His minutes since returning are trending nicely (20 -> 24 -> 32), and he’s coming off a productive 18-7-4 showing in a win over the Heat his last time out.

Orlando has been strong on opening tips early this season, and Banchero will continue to have an alpha role offensively alongside Desmond Bane with Franz Wagner sidelined.

Check back for potential late-adds, along with final plays and analysis.

Good luck!

Read through more of our NBA player props content for the 2025/26 season.

As always, everything is 100% free:

Best Player Props Today
NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
Daily Promo Roundup

Draftkings Sportsbook

Bet $5+, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins

NO PROMO CODE NEEDED

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Friday, December 12th

After a quiet few days in the association, we finally get a bigger NBA slate to tackle on Friday night.

Here are the matchups:

Pistons (19-5) vs. Hawks (14-11)
76ers (13-10) vs. Pacers (6-18)
Wizards (3-19) vs. Cavaliers (14-11)
Hornets (7-17) vs. Bulls (9-14)
Grizzlies (11-13) vs. Jazz (8-15)
Mavericks (9-16) vs. Nets (6-17)
Warriors (13-12) vs. Timberwolves (15-9)

Injury update:

Injuries 12/12

ATL:
Kristaps Porzingis – Out
Trae Young – Out
N’Faly Dante – Out
Jacob Toppin – Out

DET:
Isaac Jones – Out

CHI:
Coby White – Probable
Tre Jones – Probable
Jalen Smith – Probable
Isaac Okoro – Probable
Zach Collins – Probable
Ayo Dosunmu – Out
Kevin Huerter -…
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) December 12, 2025

Highest opening tipoff win percentages so far this season (via BettingPros):

Jazz (73.9%)
Nets (65.2%)
Cavaliers (64.0%)
Grizzlies (62.5%)
76ers (56.5%)
Hornets (50.0%)
Wizards (50.0%)

Highest first shot percentages on this slate (minimum of 20 starts):

Kon Knueppel (21.7%)
DeAndre Hunter (19.0%)
Lauri Markkanen (18.2%)
Nicolas Claxton (17.4%)
Jaylen Wells (16.7%)
Julius Randle (16.7%)
Donte DiVincenzo (16.7%)

In smaller sample sizes, Brandon Miller (8 starts, 50% first shot), Cedric Coward (11 starts, 45.5% first shot) and Paul George (8 starts, 25.0% first shot) have been heavily involved to start games, too.

NBA First Points Picks & Longshots

Our first basket plays, featuring a mix of shorter/longer odds

Michael Porter Jr. First Basket Scorer (+475) – The projected starting lineup for the Nets: Demin-Mann-Porter Jr.-Clowney-Claxton. Yikes. Porter Jr. has been chucking it, but for good reason, as he’s one of the only players who can consistently create offense on this abysmal team. He’s averaging a career-high 28.3 points and 20.5 field goal attempts per 36 minutes through 19 games (Basketball Reference).

Paul George First Basket Scorer (+640) – Maxey remains questionable for tonight’s favorable home matchup against the Pacers, and PG13 has had some nice scoring outputs early in games since returning to the court.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker First Basket Scorer (+740) – Lost in Jalen Johnson’s elite season has been NAW’s significant contributions. He’s done an amazing job filling the scoring void left by Trae Young’s injury — heading into tonight, he’s averaged 22.7 points (career-high number) and 16.7 field goal attempts per 36 minutes in 2025/26.

Ace Bailey First Basket Scorer (+890) – Want a wild one? Lauri Markkanen has been the top dog offensively for the Jazz and will be a popular NBA first points pick, but Bailey is intriguing as a longer-shot. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, he’s not afraid (whatsoever) to shoot. The ultra-confident rookie is averaging 13.9 field goal attempts per 36.

Check back later for finalized picks and analysis.

Good luck!

Read through more of our NBA player props content for the 2025/26 season.

As always, everything is 100% free:

Best Player Props Today
NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
Daily Promo Roundup

Draftkings Sportsbook

Bet $5+, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins

NO PROMO CODE NEEDED

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Where To Place NBA First Basket Bets

The following sportsbooks have more than enough options to satisfy your NBA First Basket needs. As outlined before, always shop around for the best price for NBA First Basket Bets.

On top of that, our team spent the time to find the best available bonus offers at each listed sportsbook. If you are new to any of these betting apps, be sure to use our exclusive links and promo codes to claim your free bets:

Top Sportsbooks For NBA First Basket Props

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
BetMGM
DraftKings Sportsbook (click here for our full review)

Best DFS Pick’Em Sites For NBA

Be sure to check out the Props.com overview of the Best Online Sports Betting Bonuses in the U.S.

Best Online Sportsbook Bonuses

Take a look at the Props.com NBA Betting Guide and Guide To Prop Betting for more on how to bet on world’s premier professional basketball league.

Also check out these Props.com resources on sportsbook bonuses by state:

Featured Image Credit: Imagn

The post NBA First Basket Predictions – Top First Basket Scorer Prop Bets appeared first on Props.

FastDraft Fantasy Overview & Contest Types

Juan Carlos Blanco — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:29:19 +0000

Since its debut in August 2024, FastDraft Fantasy has lived up to its moniker with an efficient, easy-to-use and rewarding Best Ball drafting experience for its users. The FastDraft app makes a strong initial first impression with a clean interface that clearly delineates between the platform’s Best Ball and DFS contests.

Given its existence within what is an increasingly crowded Best Ball product market, FastDraft’s offerings prioritize an attempt to differentiate to the benefit of the fantasy player seeking flexibility and variety in their Best Ball fare. The platform also keeps pace with its competition by offering lucrative prize pools of between $5,000 and $25,000 in its contests.

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FastDraft Contest Types

FastDraft Best Ball multi-entry tournament contests are available in three different formats: Origins, D-Up! and Flex 4, all which feature positionless rosters.

Origins are contests that consist of the fantasy player drafting six incoming rookies at any skill position. These contests fully embrace the combination of anticipation and uncertainty inherent in prognosticating the level of production top first-year players will be able to generate in their initial NFL seasons.

D-Up! is FastDraft’s latest offering, and it requires a fantasy player to draft six defensive linemen, linebackers or defensive backs. These contests, essentially an extension of IDP-only season-long fantasy leagues, certainly bring in a different strategic element from the norm due to the complete absence of offensive players/statistics.

Flex 4 is what could be considered FastDraft’s more traditional Best Ball product, with one key exception – there is no quarterback. The fantasy player will draft six total running backs, wide receivers or tight ends, and the top four scores each week will count toward the fantasy player’s total.

Editor’s Note: Want to give FastDraft a try? Use promo code PROPS and get a 100% deposit match up to $50!

Unique FastDraft Fantasy Features

In either of the three contest types, the fantasy player will also be setting Boosters, which are multipliers at the 2x, 1.75x, 1.5x and 1.25x levels. Fantasy players are allowed to apply one of each booster to a rostered athlete for the duration of the season, and in turn, the production generated by that athlete will be multiplied accordingly.

Boosters can be modified within a roster until the set Booster Lock date and time, which is set for just before the start of the opening Thursday Night Football game of the NFL regular season.

Additionally, FastDraft has Turbo Mode, an innovative feature that offers the mutual benefit to the platform and its fantasy players of allowing the latter to maximize the number of Best Ball drafts he/she wants to enter without having to be present for those drafts.

The fantasy player will simply select the number of Best Ball drafts they want to enter and set their player rankings for each. After the drafts are complete, the fantasy player can go back to each roster and apply their Booster levels to each player.

Even without Turbo Mode activated, FastDraft already lives up to its name by making its contests six rounds in length with a 20-second pick timer. With FastDraft’s contests also limited to 10 teams, Best Ball drafts are completed very quickly, a significant convenience for the busy fantasy player who’s seeking to maximize Best Ball action while still being present for the draft.

Why FastDraft Instead of Other Best Ball Options

Innovative, Diverse Formats: The flexibility of choosing between the three contests formats, each which has its own unique strategic elements, is one of its most appealing features. Not only does it allow one to truly diversify a Best Ball portfolio in terms of contest types, but playing all three certainly sharpens a fantasy player’s overall knowledge within that particular season’s landscape, which could pay off when playing any number of other season-long fantasy formats.

Booster Feature: Playing with fantasy scoring multipliers is something that both season-long and DFS players are already familiar with. However, the strategic process of deciding how to assign four different multiplier levels to one roster and having those decisions apply for the duration of an entire regular season brings a very different element into play.

Multiple Tracking Options for Pertinent Information: I enjoy FastDraft’s platform-wide commitment to keeping pertinent information the fantasy player can benefit from within easy, convenient reach. This includes ADP Movers and News features that provide fantasy players with details on which athlete’s draft positions are rising and falling the most and general up-to-the-minute developments, respectively. Moreover, the platform’s Portfolio allows you to track your exposure to players at each position across all your Best Ball contests on the platform, as well as how you’ve distributed Boosters across athletes and how the ADP of your drafted players compares that same athlete’s overall ADP on the platform.

The post FastDraft Fantasy Overview & Contest Types appeared first on Props.

A Look At Underdog’s New Format: Ladders

Props Staff — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:21:00 +0000

Want a chance to win up to 100x your entry at Underdog Fantasy? Look no further than Underdog Ladders, which can be found in the “Originals” section of the DFS app.

Make 3-5 picks and progressively win more based on how well each of your picks performs that day.

A Look At Underdog’s New Format: Ladders

Underdog Fantasy continues to innovate the DFS pick’em offering, adding another game type called Ladders.

Ladders joins Streaks as the two featured contest types under the “Originals” tab.

The format for Ladders is simple. Each pick has three rungs to hit, and all of your picks have to hit a rung to get that particular payout.

As of now, only NBA player projections are included as an option for Ladders, though future expansion into other sports is expected.

Underdog Ladders Payout Structure

Each rung in the ladders structure has a multiplier associated with it.

Refer to the table below for the payouts based on how many picks you make.

All entries must include active picks from at least two different teams.

Underdog Ladders Voided Picks Rules

If a tied or voided pick makes an entry invalid, Underdog deems the entry will be considered void, and the fee will be refunded.

“If a pick is voided and the entry is still valid, the entry will be graded as a Loss if another pick is lost. If a pick is voided and the entry is still valid where all other picks won, the entry will be graded as a Win but will pay out for the number of active players.“

“For example, a 4-pick Ladders entry with one void would become a 3-pick Ladders entry and if it wins would pay at as a 3-pick Ladders win. A 3-pick ladder with void(s) will result in a refund.”

In the case of postponed contests, picks will be graded as void if the game resumes the next day after 5 a.m. EST or if there is a venue change.

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Underdog Ladders Pick’Em Rescues

There are multiple reasons why your pick may leave the first half of the game including injury, ejection etc.

Underdog will refund your entry in this case and potentially offer you a special that will appear in you player lobby the next day if you chose “higher” for your rescued pick.

Make sure to note that all picks are not eligible for rescues. NBA, MLB, WNBA, NFL, and CFB picks are the only sports eligible for this policy.

Why Underdog?

Underdog is available in 35+ states, regardless of whether that state has legalized sports betting or not. They also have a smooth app with plenty of player options across numerous sports.

If you are new, sign up using promo code PROPS to receive $100 when you play $5 on the platform.

Simply click the banner above and the promo code will populate!

The post A Look At Underdog’s New Format: Ladders appeared first on Props.

What is the NBA Cup? In-Season Tournament Explained (2025)

Justin Carlucci — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:20:00 +0000

What is the NBA Cup? Many still don’t know it exists, and plenty of fans don’t fully understand it. And that’s OK–here’s everything you need to know about the rules, format, history, and how it all works.

Let’s clear something up right off the top: The NBA Cup is not just another marketing gimmick or midseason distraction. This thing is real, and it’s quickly becoming an (almost) must-win trophy for one of the most competitive leagues on earth.

If you’re searching “What is the NBA Cup?” or scratching your head when you see those wild courts and November playoff vibes, stick around—this is your betting-focused, FAQ-busting guide to the NBA’s newest tradition.

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What is the NBA Cup?

The NBA Cup (aka the Emirates NBA Cup, thanks to a blockbuster sponsorship deal) is the league’s annual in-season tournament. The concept: make those “dog days” of November mean something—extra drama, meaningful basketball, and a fat six-figure prize to sweeten the pot for players and coaches.

Think of it as the American answer to European soccer’s FA Cup: high-stakes group play, followed by single-elimination rounds, all jam-packed into the heart of the NBA’s regular season.

Every game in group play counts toward the regular season standings, so you won’t see any “load management” or garbage-time rotations just to save legs.

NBA Cup Rules and Format

If you’re still asking, “What are the NBA Cup rules?” here’s the rundown:

All 30 teams participate—split into six groups of five, with groups drawn based on last year’s regular season records.
Four games per team in group play—one against every group opponent. These Cup Nights are sprinkled across late October and November.
The six group winners advance to the knockout rounds, along with two “wild card” teams (the best second-place finishers, one from each conference).
Tiebreakers that actually matter: head-to-head, then point differential, and then total points scored. Point differential is capped per contest, but teams can’t coast—every point counts, and you’ll see starters on the floor up 20 with two minutes to go.
Knockout rounds are single-elimination: quarterfinals (home site), semifinals (neutral site: Las Vegas), then the championship, which is THE marquee NBA Cup event at T-Mobile Arena.

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Why Does the NBA Cup Exist?

Adam Silver, the league’s commissioner, admits he “stole” the idea from international soccer. Silver and his circle saw viewership and engagement lag during NFL-dominated November and December. This tournament is his answer—a run of games where every possession, every rotation, and every minute has a little extra weight.

And, unlike traditional cups in soccer, these aren’t treated as side events. Because the group play games ARE regular-season games, there’s never a sense of “who cares?” Teams are gunning for that trophy—and, yes, the $500,000-plus prize per player.

Unique Visuals: What’s With the Courts?

If you’ve seen a Cup game, you’ve seen those wild, paint-drowned, gradient courts. Designed by artist Victor Solomon and crafted with NBA aesthetic in mind, they’re meant to signal: “this is different.” Each court features the team’s core colors and a giant NBA Cup trophy at center court. Polarizing? Sure. Memorable? Absolutely.

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What’s the Trophy Look Like?

Not an afterthought. The NBA Cup trophy is a Tiffany & Co. original, infused with symbolism:

23 inches tall (for the year the Cup started—2023)
35 pounds, repping the three groups of five per conference
30 net openings (for every NBA franchise)
Eight prongs (for the eight teams making the knockout)
Built from sterling silver, black ceramic, and 24k gold

Yes, everyone wants to hoist this thing on the Las Vegas floor.

Does the NBA Cup Matter?

Just ask the players.

Want to know if the guys on the floor care? Just look at the postgame celebrations and listen to the pressers. LeBron James, who’s earned more on-court cash than anyone in league history, said his Lakers were “gunning for the $500,000.” Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both shouted out how the big-money prize made “every win count.”

For two-way players (the ones shuttling between the G League and main roster), that prize money can be a 45%+ raise over their season earnings. Even assistant coaches rake in a fat bonus.

NBA Cup History: Legends Already?

So far, only two NBA Cup champions exist:

Inaugural (2023): The Los Angeles Lakers. Behind monster runs by Anthony Davis and “still-everywhere” LeBron, the Lakers went 7-0 and beat the Pacers in Vegas.
Second edition (2024): The Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis did Giannis things: 26-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the final. The Bucks ran the table, finishing 7-0 and outscoring the Thunder by 36 points from deep alone.

Both years, TV audiences were huge (almost NBA Finals levels for the first one). The 2024 championship dipped a bit but still drew the second-largest NBA audience of that regular season.

Why Is Everyone Talking Point Differential?

Unlike soccer, the NBA realized that “draws” and “goal difference” needed to be more fun. Here, blowouts can help teams break out of ties. It’s built drama (and sometimes controversy) into Cup Night—coaches will push for an extra three late just to goose the margin, and nobody’s safe until the final buzzer.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended)—some old-school guys hate it—but it gives bettors and DFS players a real edge if you track live in-game pace and coach psychology.

What’s Next For the NBA Cup?

Expect this thing to get even bigger. In 2026-27, semifinals move to team arenas, making for wild home crowds and fewer neutral-site duds. Prize pools will only grow as league revenue rises. Amazon Prime Video is leading the broadcast charge, and sponsors are lining up to tie their brands to what is already the most innovative sports schedule shakeup in a decade.

What is the NBA Cup’s Impact for Bettors and DFS Players?

This is where it gets spicy. Cup games have tighter rotations, angry starters, and playoff-style finish minutes. The point differential rule means blowout risk is real, but so are monster performances. Teams rarely rest stars on Cup Nights, and you’ll see sharper market moves on injury news.

Does the NBA Cup Matter Yet?

Absolutely—and it’s only getting bigger. Whether you’re a casual fan, a DFS grinder, or a full-blown action junkie, the answer to “what is the NBA Cup?” is simple: It’s the hottest new trophy in the league, and it’s already changing the way we watch, bet, and sweat the NBA from Halloween to Christmas.

So the next time someone asks “What is the NBA Cup?” you can tell them it’s the NBA’s bid to combine the best of regular season drama and tournament grit—Vegas lights, player buy-in, crazy courts, and a prize pool that makes everyone on the floor give a little extra.

And for us in the sports betting world? The NBA Cup is more than buzz—it’s where edges and opportunities are hiding, right in plain sight, every week.

The post What is the NBA Cup? In-Season Tournament Explained (2025) appeared first on Props.

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