NBA Best Bets Today: Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinal December 11, 2024

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young sported a black sweatshirt while addressing the media after practice this week, but don’t draw parallels about that making him Mr. Bad Guy.

A history of rousing New York Knicks fans leaves Young expecting less than a hero’s welcome when Atlanta visits New York in an NBA Cup quarterfinal tonight. Still, he’d rather he and the Garden faithful could all just get along.

“I don’t like being a villain. I don’t like being that way or that target, but if that’s what it needs to be, that’s what it’s gotta be,” Young said. “That’s not like who I want to be or who I am in any way.”

With all due respect to the monetary merits of the newly renamed NBA in-season tournament, the Cup could use some pizzazz.

Young versus the People of New York City (sorry, Trae) offers just that spark to an event and betting day that will welcome it. 

ATLANTA HAWKS AT NEW YORK KNICKS

Young punctuated his third NBA season in 2020-21 with a sizzling playoff debut, averaging 28.8 points and 9.5 assists as the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. The tear started with a 4-1 series win against the Knicks in the opening round, with Young offering a shushing motion to Garden fans after hitting the winning basket in the series opener.

The rancor has swirled through the years, with some Knicks faithful even booing Young on his home floor on Nov. 6. It didn’t appear to faze Young, who had 23 points and 10 assists in a five-point Hawks win.

In 20 career games against the Knicks, Young is averaging 25.6 points and 9.6 assists. Look for him to exceed those standards tonight, reluctantly kindled by the jeers of a hostile crowd.

Trae Young over 33.5 points and assists, -108 (FanDuel)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT HOUSTON ROCKETS

Tonight’s other NBA Cup quarterfinal seemingly offers a new spin to what has been a lopsided rivalry, although we see things ending like most Golden State-Houston clashes of late:

With a dub for the Dubs.

The Warriors enter with a 15-game series winning streak, including a 2-0 mark this season. While the Rockets anticipate a boost from the return of Fred VanVleet (knee), Golden State gets a bump of its own with Steph Curry back.

Curry, who missed both previous games against the Rockets, contributed a game-high 30 points to go with eight assists during a home win against Minnesota on Sunday and is eager to make a difference.

Warriors +2 spread, -112 (FanDuel)

NORFOLK STATE AT BAYLOR

Wagering on a midweek men’s college basketball matinee being contested in a state in which sports betting is illegal screams with exhilaration. Kind of like playing hooky.

Wait, Baylor is in its exam week and favored by 25.5 points? Then let’s look deeper down the bet list to add some early spice to this hump day.

Norfolk State took a break from six straight road games with Monday’s 80-67 home loss to Hofstra, shooting 38.8 percent. Baylor thumped visiting Abilene Christian by 31 on the same night.

We see that translating to a fast start for the Bears, who are battling injuries but still flexing depth as they seek a 5-0 edge in the all-time series against the Spartans.

Over 2.5 points scored in first minute of game, +116 (FanDuel)