NBA Cup Quarterfinals Set: Magic, Thunder, Heat, and Lakers Advance
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The quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup have been confirmed, showcasing a thrilling lineup that includes the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN, both the Thunder and Magic secured the top seeds in their respective brackets after strong performances throughout the group stage.
The Thunder, the defending champions, finished the group stage with an impressive 19-1 record, topping West Group A after a close 123-119 victory against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns, having finished 3-1 in the group stage, will face the Thunder again in the quarterfinals on December 10.
Meanwhile, the Magic clinched the number one seed in the East with a 110-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons, ensuring home court advantage against the Heat, who advanced as a wild card with a 3-1 record in group play.
In the East, the Miami Heat will visit the Orlando Magic on December 9, while the New York Knicks, who finished 3-1 in Group C, will take on the Toronto Raptors, who also completed a perfect group stage with a 4-0 record, in an Eastern Conference matchup.
The Knicks secured their spot in the knockout round by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, the reigning Cup holders, 118-109, effectively eliminating them from the tournament. The stakes are high as each quarterfinal match counts toward the regular-season standings, although the championship game itself will not.
In the West, the Lakers, who also finished group play undefeated, will host the San Antonio Spurs, who made a surprising entry into the knockout round after defeating the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs, despite missing their star player Victor Wembanyama due to injury, managed to secure their quarterfinal spot in dramatic fashion.
The Lakers, with a strong roster including LeBron James, are looking to capitalize on their home advantage. As the quarterfinals approach, each team is not only vying for the trophy but also a significant monetary incentive, with players set to earn $53,903 each for participating in the quarterfinals, and even more if they advance further.
The semifinals will take place in Las Vegas on December 13, followed by the championship on December 16. This year's tournament format, which integrates the Cup into the regular-season schedule, has proven popular among teams and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting knockout round ahead.