The NBA Cup reaches its climax under the bright lights of Las Vegas on Tuesday night, headlining a compact but intriguing betting slate that also features action across the NHL. The Cup’s conclusion, paired with tightly lined games on the ice, creates a slate filled with pressure and opportunity. Here are tonight’s best bets brought to you by BetOnline.ag. Click here to join. All new players get a 50% welcome bonus and up to $250 in free bets.
First Pick: Spurs Moneyline
Rundown: The San Antonio Spurs (18-7) and the New York Knicks (18-7) will fight for the right to be crowned the Emirates 2025 NBA Cup champions tonight from T-Mobile Arena.
The third installment of the NBA's in-season tournament pits two of the league’s brightest stars against each other in San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama and New York guard Jalen Brunson. Both teams enter playing their best basketball with New York rattling off nine wins in its last 10 games, while San Antonio has claimed five of their last six contests.
San Antonio’s run through the tournament has been the defining storyline. The Spurs eliminated Luka Doncic and LeBron James’ Lakers with a dominant 132-119 win in Los Angeles in the quarterfinals, then followed it by knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder, handing reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just their second loss of the season. Wembanyama’s clutch 14-foot jumper with 2:32 remaining gave San Antonio the lead, a lead they would never relinquish. The upset win underscored the franchise’s rapid turnaround after failing to reach 35 wins since the 2018-19 season.
New York counters with one of the NBA’s most dangerous duos in Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Convincing wins over Toronto and Orlando propelled the Knicks to the final, where their physical depth and interior presence will be tested against the towering 7-foot-4 Wembanyama. Towns’ matchup in the paint figures to be pivotal, while Brunson’s ability to create offense will be challenged by San Antonio’s guards, who display disciplined defense on the perimeter.
Wembanyama has thrived against New York, averaging 32.0 points, 15.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in three career meetings. Expect the spotlight to shine on the Spurs’ young star once again, with San Antonio’s defense setting the tone as it looks to capture the NBA Cup trophy.
Second Pick: Ducks Moneyline
Rundown: The Anaheim Ducks (20-12-1) travel to Nationwide Arena to battle the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-13-6), who are looking to snap a five-game losing skid.
The Ducks open the second game of a back-to-back after a 4-1 win over the Rangers, highlighted by a three-goal third period to seal the victory during Chris Kreider’s emotional return to New York. Anaheim enters tonight’s matchup holding an edge in nearly every major category, ranking ahead of Columbus in scoring offense, goals allowed, goal differential and power-play goals.
Columbus’ 27th-ranked scoring defense will be tasked with slowing an Anaheim attack that sits second in the NHL at 3.4 goals per game. The Ducks’ offensive success has also come while down a skater, owning a league-high six shorthanded goals. Expect Anaheim to start fast and skate away with a road win.