About this episode
Munaf Manji and Mackenzie Rivers talk NBA betting. Munaf Manji hosts an episode of RJ Bell’s Dream Preview NBA podcast with analyst Mackenzie Rivers, covering NBA Cup semifinals betting angles, current injury news, and market reactions. They open with light banter before discussing major injuries including Franz Wagner’s ankle injury for Orlando and Zach Edey’s setback for Memphis, and how those absences affect team power ratings and futures. Rivers analyzes Memphis as a soft reset team while emphasizing Wagner’s advanced metrics value to Orlando and questioning Paolo Banchero’s optimal role as a primary scorer versus a complementary star. The conversation compares Orlando’s roster construction to Oklahoma City’s system driven success and stresses that teams rarely improve via talent subtraction alone. They pivot to league wide observations, fading the Lakers as overhyped due to schedule and defense, noting Washington’s tank trajectory, and highlighting Minnesota’s need for an additional ball handling guard such as Coby White. Betting discussion begins with Timberwolves versus Warriors, where Rivers leans Minnesota if Anthony Edwards plays and supports the under due to Golden State’s slow pace and Curry returning from injury. For the NBA Cup East semifinal, both favor the Knicks over the Magic and the under, citing New York’s defense, Brunson’s form, and Orlando missing Wagner. In the West semifinal, Rivers makes Oklahoma City his best bet laying the points against San Antonio, arguing the Thunder’s historic net rating, system depth, and defensive consistency outweigh Victor Wembanyama’s return. They close by discussing Thunder futures including win totals and streak markets, NBA Cup MVP value on Brunson if backing New York, promo details for Pregame, and final best bets of Knicks minus the points and Thunder laying the number. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices