The NBA Cup is back with a jam-packed slate of games on Wednesday night, with a total of nine matchups scheduled for today.
So, I've locked in a parlay spanning four of tonight's contests, including bets for Shai Gilegeous-Alexander, Jalen Duren, Trey Murphy and more.
Let's get to my NBA parlay picks and predictions for Wednesday, November 26.
NBA Parlay Picks, Predictions, Odds for Wednesday, November 26
- Jalen Duren 25+ Points and Rebounds
- Jaden Ivey 8+ Points
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
- Kel'el Ware 10+ Rebounds
- Trey Murphy III 20+ Points and Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +403 via DraftKings
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Pistons vs. Celtics
The Pistons will head to Boston having won 13 games in a row, tying the longest winning streak in franchise history. However, prior to the winning streak beginning, they defeated the Celtics 119-113 in Detroit. In that game, Jalen Duren had 24 points and 18 rebounds, which really jumpstarted his breakout campaign. The 22-year-old is averaging 20.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while shooting 67.1% from the field, ranking top five in the league in the league latter two categories.
Duren has a double-double in three of his last six games against the Celtics, averaging 13.3 points and 11 rebounds per game. In a gap year of sorts without Jayson Tatum, Boston has slipped to 16th in defensive rating after ranking top four in each of the last four seasons. The team has been particularly vulnerable to centers, giving 23.3 points and 14.6 rebounds per game and ranking 20th PR allowed per game.
The Pistons have gone to an expanded rotation as they have gotten healthier. However, Duren has played 27 and 30 minutes in his last two games. He has recorded 25 PR in nine of his last 10 games and should get there once again in this matchup.
Part of the reason head coach JB Bickerstaff has been experimenting with a 12-man rotation is the return of Jaden Ivey. The 23-year-old debuted on Saturday in Milwaukee after not playing since New Year's Day due to knee and leg injuries. He has played just 27 minutes in his first two games, but he has provided instant offense with 10 and 12 points.
Ivey averaged 17 points per game last season and is averaging 16.1 points per game for his career. However, his lines remain low for now while his minutes are limited. Ivey has scored 10 points in both games this season and has scored 10 points in each of his last six games against the Celtics. He should be able to score at least eight points tonight as a piece for tonight's parlay.
Pick: Jalen Duren 25+ Points + Rebounds and Jaden Ivey 8+ Points
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Bucks vs. Heat
As a rookie, Kel'el Ware flashed immense potential as he averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 22.2 minutes per game. Before the draft, the biggest concern about him was his motor, and that allowed him to fall to the 15th pick in what likely won't remembered as one of the strongest draft classes.
Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra has been tough on him over the last few months, but the tough love may just be paying off. He is averaging 15.1 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks over his last nine games. Since Bam Adebayo has returned to the lineup, Ware's presence has allowed him to slide back over to the power forward spot and give Miami more size. Miami has a top-10 defensive rating over its last 10 games and leads the league since Adebayo returned four games ago.
Meanwhile, Ware has averaged 23 rebound chances per game over his last nine games, including a staggering 35 on Monday against the Mavericks. Tonight, he gets the Bucks, who have been struggling offensively without Giannis Antetokounmpo (questionable tonight) sidelined. Milwaukee is 24th in rebounds allowed per game this season.
Ware has a double-double in two of his last three games against the Bucks. The seven-footer is collecting 61% of his rebound chances this season. That means if he gets over 20 rebound chances again, he's likely going to grab at least 10 of them, as he done in each of his last nine games.
Pick: Kel'el Ware 10+ Rebounds
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Timberwolves vs. Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.2 points in just 33.1 minutes per game this season. He has often needed only three quarters to do so. In nine of Oklahoma City's 18 games this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 points in less than 30 minutes.
Much has been made of the Thunder's schedule thus far, as they have just three wins against teams currently in the playoff picture. However, they host Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have won six of their last 10 games and have a +5.4 net rating. They will be particularly motivated after the Thunder dispatched them from the Western Conference Finals in five games last May.
Minnesota is allowing 47.3 points per game to guards this season. It is also allowing 18.4 points per game to pick and roll ball-handlers, the second-most in the league. This sets up a great matchup for SGA and he has certainly taken advantage. In his last eight regular season games against Minnesota, SGA has scored 30 points in seven of them.
Oklahoma City has a habit of turning games expected to be tight into blowouts, but Minnesota covered three of the four regular season meetings last year. If tonight's game is remotely close tonight, SGA should play the fourth quarter tonight and I expect him to score 30 points as he has done in 15 of 18 games this season.
Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
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Pelicans vs. Grizzlies
It already looks like another long season in New Orleans, as it is off to a 3-15 start and has already involved a coaching change. However, Trey Murphy has been one of the team's lone bright spots. Murphy is second on the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 37.2% from three. He has scored 17 points or more in 13 of his last 14 games.
Murphy is also chipping on the glass, collecting 6.2 rebounds per game. He has had at least five rebounds in 14 of 18 games this season. That includes seven against the Grizzlies on opening night. Memphis is 25th in rebounds allowed per game this season.
Memphis is also 26th in 3-pointers allowed and 3-point attempts allowed per game and Murphy attempts eight per game. He did not have a good shooting night in his last game against the Grizzlies going 5-for-15 from the field and 1-for-6 from deep, but Murphy still scored 13 points.
As the Pelicans were banged up (as they are right now) last season, Murphy scored 20 points in all four games against the Grizzlies, averaging 26.2 per game. If Murphy scores 20 tonight, that would be ideal as he has recorded 20+ PR in five straight games against the Grizzlies and in 16 of 18 games this season.
Pick: Trey Murphy 20+ Points and Rebounds
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