The latest slate of NBA Cup games takes over the schedule on Tuesday, November 19, and while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics will garner a majority of interest, bettors looking to dive into the player props market can find incredible value with some under-the-radar names you wouldn't necessarily think about wagering on.
Here are three player props to take a second look at, including San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie and an intriguing -106 scoring prop at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Julian Champagnie OVER 10.5 Points vs. Thunder (-106)
With Victor Wembanyama being listed as doubtful (knee) for San Antonio's home game against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs' offense basically has free reign for anyone to step up and contribute with more looks and touches to go around. That bodes well for Champagnie's chances here to finish with 11 or more points on Tuesday, albeit against the No. 1-ranked defense in the Association.
There was some thought put into taking a scoring prop for rookie Stephon Castle (O 12.5 points, -106) or veteran Chris Paul (O 9.5, -106), but they're going to command a ton of attention from the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Alex Caruso, while someone like Champagnie surely won't be the focal point of Oklahoma City's game plan.
Champagnie has scored at least 11 points in three of his last four and six of his last eight appearances, attempting six or more three-pointers in each of those games. He only had three points earlier in the season against the Thunder, but his role has expanded since then, and Wembanyama's absence increases the likelihood of this prop connecting.
Yves Missi OVER 7.5 Rebounds vs. Mavericks (+112)
With the injury bug still rampaging its way through the New Orleans Pelicans' roster, rookie Yves Missi's playing time as the starting center will continue to be safe with the team in need of his size in the middle.
Missi is averaging 25.9 minutes since entering the lineup on Nov. 1, leading the team in rebounds at 7.6 per game over his last nine appearances. He's finished with 10 or more boards in three of his last four games, as well, and now faces a Dallas Mavericks team which ranks 28th in opponent's offensive rebounds (12.5) and 22nd in opponent's total rebounds (44.8).
Even though Missi has failed to exceed 7.5 rebounds in four of his last five games on the road, a majority of those came when he was playing for the second unit, so don't put too much stock into that.
Scotty Pippen Jr. UNDER 4.5 Assists vs. Nuggets (+102)
Scotty Pippen Jr's assist numbers have come back down to earth as of late, although his 5.9 dimes per game still have him ranked in the top 30 overall, and it's still easily a career high for the 24-year-old guard.
The Memphis Grizzlies just pulled off a 105-90 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, and now get them for the second time in three days, only this time in West Group C action. Pippen Jr. played 25 minutes at home versus Denver, finishing with exactly four assists for the second-consecutive game. It was the fourth game in a row that he failed to exceed 4.5 dimes, and the sixth time in his last seven appearances.
Even though the Nuggets allow the second-most assists to opposing teams overall, let's take the UNDER here considering Pippen Jr's recent history. Also, five different players on the Grizzlies had four or more assists on Sunday, which does take away from Pippen Jr's opportunities to secure his own.
