DeMarcus Cousins can’t catch a break of late, which includes his loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Andre Drummond in the first round of the NBA 2K Players Tournament. Drummond emerged victorious and is primed to face Patrick Beverly (who beat Hassan Whiteside) in the Quarterfinals. Which one of these tournament long shots will make it through to the Semifinals? Let’s find out.
Betting on Andre Drummond, Cleveland Cavaliers (+105)
NBA 2K20 Ratings
Overall Rating: 85
3-Point Rating: 60
Dunk Rating: 85
No.6 seed Andre Drummond defeated No.11 seed DeMarcus Cousins in the first round. Correction on the “defeated” part – it was an absolute butt-whopping with a final score of 101-49 in favor of the Cleveland big man. Choice of team played a role in Drummond’s win, as he opted for the LA Lakers instead of this Ohio squad, while Cousins played as the Brooklyn Nets. Perhaps Cousins’ choice was a strategic one for free-agency signing? Whatever the case, his game play stood no chance against the relentless Drummond who went on an offensive and defensive tear. This big man has skills beyond the paint, waxing masterfully with a joystick to rampage his way through to the Quarterfinals.
Despite his impressive first round showing, Drummond is priced at the bottom to win the entire tournament, with just +2000 odds to take it all.
No.14 seed Patrick Beverly enjoyed a 84-54 win over Hassan Whiteside in the first round. Whiteside played with Beverly Hills home team, the LA Lakers, while Beverly opted out of his Clippers team to roll with the Milwaukee Bucks. Beverly struggled somewhat in the first half, but turned it around to take an early 10-point lead in the second, extending those numbers en route to an impressive (but not Andre Drummond first round impressive) 30-point win. Beverly will not likely play his own avatar or team against his big man opponent in the Quarterfinals. Will he be able to find a suitable match against a confident Drummond?
Patrick Beverly is priced with +550 odds to win the tournament.
Writer’s Prediction
The sportsbook has it wrong on this one. Don’t sleep on the giant, Drummond will beat Beverly down and win 92-72.
