Steve:
Doing a colour space to colour space conversion is totally different.
It performs a mathematical conversion, not at all the same as using a profile.
Any difference in the results will be down to rounding variations in the LUT generation, and as above could go either way.
So, I have repeated the approach starting from real (synthetic, as being generated with Virtual probe and for the 66 cube case with tricks), profiles.
I have generated profiles on an ST2084 rec2020, and generated a LUT for producing a DCI P3 with an Alternative WP. Then I have used the generated LUT as active LUT and run a 10^ verification.
I am reporting here the dEs for the following cases:
1. 66 vertices LUT:
a) BCC 14^
b) CC 17^ (a) and b) have approximately the same number of patches)
c) CC 33^
d) CC 66^
2. 33 vertices LUT:
a) BCC 14^
b) CC 17^ (a) and b) have approximately the same number of patches)
c) CC 33^
d) CC 66^
Then I have tried something of more realistic: Instead of using as active the generated LUT, I have converted with the LG 33 option and used it as active LUT. With the same verification profile I have verified the following cases:
3. 17^ generated from:
a) 33 vertices LUT converted to 33 LG
b) 66 vertices LUT converted to 33 LG
66^ generated from:
c) 33 vertices LUT converted to 33 LG
d) 66 vertices LUT converted to 33 LG
See here grouped the 1 and 2 cases:

My comments:
1. Using an high number of vertices is beneficial when the profile is not so effective (14 Bcc case and 17 cube case). In the other case the improvement is marginal.
2. 17 ^ profile looks definitely more effective than 14 bcc one.
Here the outcome of 3:

My comments:
1. As for 1 and 2 cases, sing an high number of vertices is beneficial when the profile is not so effective. Otherwise it is marginal.
2. 3.a and 2.b dE numbers are practically the same.
My overall conclusion is: there is an advantage in increasing the number of LUT vertices, but don't expect that a quite perfect LUT will become more perfect.