The bracket for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup’s knockout spherical is formally set, and it options solely two of the eight quarterfinalists from final 12 months’s in-season event.
The Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Dallas Mavericks all punched their tickets to the quarterfinals with wins on Tuesday, or a loss within the Magic’s case. Not within the subject are both of final 12 months’s finalists, the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers.
Listed here are the Jap Convention matchups for the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup:
No. 4 Magic at No. 1 Bucks
No. 3 Hawks at No. 2 Knicks
And the Western Convention:
No. 4 Mavericks at No. 1 Thunder
No. 3 Warriors at No. 2 Rockets
All 4 quarterfinal video games shall be performed Tuesday, Dec. 10, and Wednesday, Dec. 11, adopted by the semifinals and finals on Dec. 14 and 17 in Las Vegas. Actual dates and occasions for matchups have but to be decided.
Right here is how all of the video games that mattered within the remaining day of group play shook out:
Luka Dončić grabs wild card for Mavericks with monster recreation
The Mavericks have been getting ready to elimination within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, trailing by 15 factors early within the fourth quarter. They ended up pulling out the must-win recreation, and the important thing was, as regular, Luka Dončić.
The All-Star posted a monster 37 factors, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals to will Dallas into the knockout spherical. Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington additionally got here up enormous with a run of three straight 3-pointers within the remaining two minutes.
Had the Mavericks misplaced, it will have been the Suns going to the quarterfinal.
Dallas’ destiny wasn’t assured, although. The Portland Path Blazers nonetheless had an opportunity to tug it out with the ultimate recreation of the evening, and will have superior in the event that they beat the Los Angeles Clippers. By 52 factors.
Alas, Portland ended up shedding 127-105.
Giannis leads blowout of Pistons to clinch East Group B
The Bucks and Pistons met Tuesday in Milwaukee in a winner-take-all conflict for the Group B crown. The Pistons by no means stood an opportunity.
The Bucks opened up a 36-31 first-quarter lead that they prolonged to 78-59 at halftime. There was no second-half Pistons rally as Milwaukee secured a 128-107 win. Now a sluggish 11-9 begin in Milwaukee comes with the silver lining of a 4-0 document in NBA Cup Group play and a visit to the knockout spherical.
The Pistons fall to 3-1 in group play and are eradicated from the NBA Cup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way in which for the Bucks in a virtually excellent evening from the sector. Antetokounmpo hit his first 10 subject aim makes an attempt earlier than lacking his eleventh and final en path to a 28-point, eight-rebound effort.
The Bucks safe the Group B crown with wins over the Raptors, Pacers and Warmth along with the Pistons. Milwaukee has now received seven consecutive video games following a 4-9 begin and is likely one of the NBA’s hottest groups coming into the knockout stage.
Thunder cruise to West Group B win, get assist from Suns
The Thunder maintain the No. 1 seed within the West, however nonetheless entered Tuesday with their destiny undecided on account of a earlier loss to the San Antonio Spurs. To get to Las Vegas, OKC wanted each a win over the last-place Utah Jazz and a Spurs loss in opposition to the Phoenix Suns.
They acquired the win first. After a back-and-fourth first quarter, the Thunder constructed up a lead that topped out at 33 factors within the second half. Seven totally different gamers scored in double figures — led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 26 factors — whereas the protection as an entire pressured a galling 29 Utah turnovers.
The sport completed with the Thunder successful 133-106, then got here the scoreboard watching.
The Suns pulled off the wanted 104-93 win regardless of shedding Kevin Durant to a sprained ankle within the second quarter. Victor Wembanyama had one among his worst video games of the season, capturing 6-of-18 from the sector for 15 factors with 4 turnovers, plus 13 rebounds and 7 assists.
Knicks dominate Magic to safe East Group A
Just like the Bucks and Pistons, the Knicks and Magic met in a winner-take-all matchup for his or her group Tuesday evening. Additionally just like the Bucks and Pistons, this one wasn’t shut.
New York opened up a 36-27 first-quarter lead and cruised to a 121-106 win at house. The Knicks win Group A with a 4-0 NBA Cup document that additionally consists of wins over the 76ers, Nets and Hornets. The Magic end at 3-1 in group play with wins over the Hornets, 76ers and Nets.
Karl-Anthony Cities led a balanced Knicks offensive effort with 23 factors, 15 rebounds and two blocks.
Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Miles McBride every scored at the least 18 factors. Josh Hart added a triple-double with 11 factors, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Magic sweat, however maintain on for wild-card berth to knockout spherical
The drama within the Group A recreation rapidly shifted from its end result to its remaining margin. The Magic entered the sport with a plus-37 level differential over the Celtics for the wild-card berth within the East. So long as they did not lose by greater than 36 factors, the Magic would nonetheless safe the wild-card berth because the best-performing second-place group out of the three Jap Convention teams.
The Knicks prolonged their result in 37 factors at 103-67 late within the third quarter. Alas, the Magic averted all-out catastrophe and closed the hole to fifteen factors for the ultimate whistle. They will be part of the Knicks within the knockout spherical out of Group A because the wild-card group out of the East. The Celtics are eradicated.
Group C was already determined. The Hawks clinched Group C on Friday with a win over the Cavaliers. Their 3-1 document in group play additionally included wins over the Celtics and Wizards and a loss to the Bulls.
