{"id":314958,"date":"2025-11-28T19:56:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T19:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/314958\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T19:56:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T19:56:14","slug":"starting-5-11-games-to-decide-6-emirates-nba-cup-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/314958\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: 11 games to decide 6 Emirates NBA Cup spots"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

14 teams\u00a0still alive in the Emirates NBA Cup.<\/p>\n

11 Group\u00a0Play games remaining.<\/p>\n

6 Knockout\u00a0Rounds spots left.<\/p>\n

1 night\u00a0to decide it all.<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s Stakes: What you need to know entering the final night of NBA Cup Group Play<\/p>\n

Tonight On Prime: An elimination game at MSG, before Mavs-Lakers in L.A.<\/p>\n

Battle Of Unbeatens: Both 3-0 in Cup Play, Phoenix visits OKC to decide West Group A<\/p>\n

Winner-Take-All: Orlando & Detroit duel for East B, Denver hosts San Antonio for West C<\/p>\n

Wild Card Race: More squads seek Wild Card berths on a stacked League Pass slate<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Tonight's<\/p>\n

Emirates NBA Cup Group Play concludes tonight with 11 matchups, led by a Prime doubleheader as the Bucks visit the Knicks (7:30 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Lakers welcome the Mavs (10 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

1. NBA CUP ESSENTIALS ENTERING FRIDAY\u2019S GROUP PLAY FINALE<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

The day after Thanksgiving serves up leftovers and naps, but don\u2019t sleep on a full slate of Emirates NBA Cup drama.<\/p>\n

With only two groups locked up \u2013 East A by the Raptors and West B by the Lakers \u2013 six Knockout Round spots remain up for grabs entering tonight: four group berths and the East & West Wild Cards.<\/p>\n

The culmination? A mouthwatering 11-game Group Play finale stacked with winner-take-all showdowns and a hectic Wild Card race.<\/p>\n

Just like your Thanksgiving Day plate, there\u2019s a lot to digest. So, before diving into tonight\u2019s clinching scenarios, let\u2019s take a quick look at the standings and refresh on the Group Play tiebreakers:<\/p>\n

1. Head-to-head record in Group Play
\n2. Point differential in Group Play
\n3. Total points scored in Group Play
\n4. Regular-season record from 2024-25<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s Group Winner-Take-All Matchups<\/p>\n

Magic at Pistons (7:30 ET, LP): Winner claims East Group B
\nSuns at Thunder (9:30 ET, LP): Winner claims West Group A
\nSpurs at Nuggets (9:30 ET, LP): Winner claims West Group C<\/p>\n

More Clinching Scenarios<\/p>\n

Bucks at Knicks (7:30 ET, Prime): New York claims East Group C with a win over Milwaukee, while a Bucks victory would hand the group to Miami
\nMore Teams Alive: The Grizzlies, Clippers, Cavs and Bucks all enter Friday seeking a Wild Card bid to reach the Knockout Round<\/p>\n

2. TONIGHT ON PRIME: BUCKS AT KNICKS, MAVS AT LAKERS<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/p>\n

Bucks (2-1, +13 point diff) at Knicks (2-1, +26) | East C | 7:30 ET, Prime<\/p>\n

Elimination hoops at the World\u2019s Most Famous Arena. Need we say more?<\/p>\n

All eyes turn to MSG for the first leg of Prime\u2019s doubleheader. The Knicks\u2019 Cup status is simple: win and you\u2019re in; lose and you\u2019re out.<\/p>\n

Standing in the way are the reigning Cup champion Bucks, who need a victory to stay in Wild Card contention \u2013 and could potentially get a Giannis-sized lift.<\/p>\n

Greek Freak Back? After missing the last 4 games (adductor), Antetokounmpo \u2013 last year\u2019s NBA Cup MVP \u2013 could return tonight as he\u2019s been upgraded to questionable
\nRollins Rolling: In his absence, Ryan Rollins has shined, leading Milwaukee in scoring in each of its last five games, averaging 23.2 points and 7.6 assists
\nCity Committee: The Knicks have leaned on balance, with seven players averaging 10+ ppg, led by Jalen Brunson (28.6 pts, 6.3 ast) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22.4 pts, 12.3 reb)
\nPower Five: On Wednesday, needing a crucial Group win, New York\u2019s starting five combined for a season-high 111 points to beat Charlotte<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

Mavericks (1-2, eliminated) at Lakers (3-0, clinched) | West B | 10 ET, Prime<\/p>\n

While MSG hosts an elimination game, Crypto.com Arena will look to add another Cup contest to its schedule as the Lakers \u2013 winners of West B \u2013 aim to move to 4-0 to secure homecourt advantage in the Quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Showtime Stars: Los Angeles clinched the group with Tuesday\u2019s win over the Clippers, powered by Luka Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s 43 points and 56 more from LeBron James (25) and Austin Reaves (31)
\nHistoric Pace: Already off to an unprecedented start, Luka (35.2 ppg) is on pace to become just the 6th ever player to average 35+ ppg in a season (min. 50 GP)
\nRare Air: The only players to do it in the last 50 years? James Harden (2018), Kobe (\u201805) and MJ (\u201886)
\nCup Touch: Don\u010di\u0107 is also averaging a career 34 ppg in NBA Cup Group Play \u2013 the highest mark in Cup history<\/p>\n

Potential AD Return: Luka could face the star he was traded for last February, as Anthony Davis \u2014 sidelined since Oct. 30 (calf) \u2014 is questionable. It would mark AD\u2019s first game action at Crypto.com Arena against his former team.<\/p>\n

Flagg Rising: Cooper Flagg (15.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.1 apg) has stepped up in Davis\u2019 absence, trailing only AD as the team\u2019s top scorer while climbing to No. 2 on the Kia Rookie Ladder
\n\u201cHe\u2019s 18 [and] he plays the game the right way,\u201d said Mavs coach Jason Kidd on Flagg last week. \u201cHis thing is about winning \u2026 he\u2019s gonna be in this league for a long, long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. UNBEATEN WEST DUEL HIGHLIGHTS 3 WINNER-TAKE-ALL MATCHUPS<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

Suns (3-0, +35 point diff) at Thunder (3-0, +71) | West A | 9:30 ET, League Pass<\/p>\n

Friday boasts three winner-take-all games, but only one features two unbeaten Group Play teams: West A\u2019s decisive showdown between Phoenix and OKC.<\/p>\n

The Thunder\u2019s Cup win over the Wolves on Wednesday didn\u2019t just make them the fifth team in NBA history to open a season 18-1 or better \u2013 it capped one of the most dominant 10-game win streaks ever, with a +20.9 average margin of victory.<\/p>\n

Special Company: Only three other teams have ripped off a 10-game win streak with a 20+ point differential: the 2023-24 Celtics, the 1973-74 Bucks and the \u201870-71 Bucks
\nAll three squads reached the NBA Finals, with Boston and \u201870-71 Milwaukee winning the title<\/p>\n

\"Lu<\/p>\n

Championship DNA: OKC won each of its first nine games of the streak by 10+ points. But on Wednesday, in a West Finals rematch against a Wolves squad seeking a crucial Cup win, they were tested late.<\/p>\n

Clutch Haymakers: In a 4th quarter that saw no lead greater than 8, Anthony Edwards drilled a 3 with 1:02 left to bring Minnesota within one
\nThen, OKC Leveled Up: A Chet Holmgren answer from deep. A forced turnover on the other end. Two SGA free throws to extend the lead, and then a Lu Dort dunk to ice it
\nFinding A Way: The sequence highlighted an 8-1 closing run for the Thunder, earning a win despite the Wolves shooting 45.9% from 3 compared to their 26.9%
\n\u201cThe guys really locked in for those three minutes,\u201d said OKC coach Mark Daigneault postgame on the finish. \u201cWe had to endure a good amount of adversity tonight to get the win \u2013 and we did just enough to do that.\u201d
\nJDub Back?: Now, the Thunder add Jalen Williams to the lineup as the All-Star will reportedly make his season debut tonight<\/p>\n

\"Jordan<\/p>\n

Back at full strength, OKC faces another test in Phoenix, which has won nine of its last 11 games, fueled by Devin Booker and a defense redefining the team\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n

Floor General: Booker (26 ppg, 6.9 apg) continues to thrive as a playmaker, leading Phoenix in points and assists, while distributing to five other Suns averaging double figures
\nIdentity Shift: After finishing 27th in DefRtg last season, the Suns have jumped to 9th this year, and rank 3rd amid their 9-2 run
\nAll On The Line: Now, they\u2019ll look to knock off the defending NBA champs in hopes of punching their ticket to the Knockout Round
\n\u201cAnother great thing about the Cup, it highlights this in late November,\u201d said Suns coach Jordan Ott on facing OKC in a high-stakes matchup.
\n\u201cWe have an extremely competitive team \u2013 I know we\u2019ll be juiced.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. TWO MORE WINNER-TAKE-ALL DUELS ON LEAGUE PASS<\/p>\n

\"Franz<\/p>\n

Magic (3-0, +61 point diff) at Pistons (2-1, +24) | East B | 7:30 ET, League Pass<\/p>\n

Outside of already-clinched Toronto, only one other unbeaten Cup team remains in the East \u2013 the Magic, fresh off their biggest win of the season, a 144-103 statement over the Sixers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Now, they face the East\u2019s top seed in the Pistons \u2013 coming off their first loss in 14 games \u2013 in a showdown to decide East B.<\/p>\n

Like Magic: In Tuesday\u2019s win, Orlando dropped 86 points in the 1st half en route to its 5th-highest scoring game in franchise history
\nLeading The Charge? Anthony Black, who erupted for a career-high 31 points, including 20 in the 2nd quarter \u2013 three shy of his previous single-game-best (23)
\nFull Arsenal: Black is just the latest scorer to step up for Orlando. A different player has led the team in scoring in each of its last five games, resulting in a 4-1 run
\nStrength vs. Strength: Now it faces Detroit\u2019s top-5 defense, hungry to bounce back after seeing Boston end the Pistons\u2019 historic 13-game win streak
\nContaining Cade: On the other end, Orlando will look to slow down Cade Cunningham, averaging 31.0 pts and 9.9 ast amid Detroit\u2019s 13-1 run, while leading the NBA in 4th-quarter points (10.6 per game)<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

Spurs (2-1, +23) at Nuggets (2-1, +26) | West C | 9:30 ET, League Pass<\/p>\n

Nikola Joki\u0107 has 10 triple-doubles in his first 17 games this season. In the history of the NBA, only Oscar Robertson has hit that mark faster \u2013 back in 1962, when he did it in 12 outings.<\/p>\n

And while Joki\u0107 has made the triple-double \u2013 a rarity only one other player has hit more than twice this season (Josh Giddey: 4) \u2013 into a seemingly casual nightly occurrence, there\u2019s nothing casual about this game.<\/p>\n

Denver vs. San Antonio. Winner-take-all for West C. Loser eliminated.<\/p>\n

Bring The Noise: The Nuggets are no strangers to Playoff-like atmospheres at home, where they\u2019ve lost only twice this season and are a combined 19-6 in the last three Playoffs
\nMile-High Heat: Leading the league in ppg (123.8), Denver\u2019s even deadlier at Ball Arena (125.4), where four of its top-7 scorers are shooting over 37% from 3
\nReal Feel: The Spurs will get their first taste of elimination hoops since their 2019 Playoff run, with De\u2019Aaron Fox leading the way in the absence of Victor Wembanyama
\nVet Delivering: Fox has eclipsed 25+ points in each of his last five games, capped by a 37-point, 8-assist night against Portland to cap a 4-1 stretch<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

5. MORE ON LEAGUE PASS: WILD CARD IMPLICATIONS<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

Cavaliers (2-1, +33 point diff) at Hawks (1-2, eliminated) | East A | 7:30 ET, League Pass<\/p>\n

Two more games carry Knockout Round implications, beginning with Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs seeking a Wild Card berth as they face Jalen Johnson and the Hawks in a must-win.<\/p>\n

Reminder: The Wild Card is awarded to the top second-place team in each conference, with record and point differential serving as the first two tiebreakers
\nWhere They Stand: At +33, Cleveland holds the best point differential of the remaining 2-1 teams in the East, so every bucket counts as it seeks its first NBA Cup Knockout Round bid
\nA Good Place To Start? Mitchell, averaging a career-best 29.9 ppg while leading the NBA in 2nd-half scoring<\/p>\n

\"Jaren<\/p>\n

Grizzlies (2-1, +9) at Clippers (2-1, -15) | West B | 10 ET, League Pass<\/p>\n

Also seeking Wild Card bids: the Grizzlies and Clippers, who will look to improve to 3-1 behind the already-clinched Lakers in West B.<\/p>\n

Memphis Fight: On the brink of elimination, the Grizzlies erased a 17-point deficit on Wednesday to force OT with the Pelicans, where they pulled out a gritty dub
\nFull Den: Since making his season debut on Nov. 15, Zach Edey is averaging a near double-double (12.0 pts, 8.8 reb), joining seven other Grizzlies posting 10+ ppg
\nBeard Barrage: James Harden has powered LA, averaging 34.3 ppg over his last seven outings, including 41-, 37- and 55-point games<\/p>\n

Four more matchups tip off on League Pass. While they don\u2019t have Knockout Round implications, they still count toward the regular-season standings \u2013 and feature plenty of star power.<\/p>\n

To open the slate, Tyrese Maxey and Philly visit Brooklyn, while Rookie Ladder leader Kon Knueppel guides Charlotte against Josh Giddey and Chicago (both at 7:30 ET).<\/p>\n

Wizards at Pacers (7:30 ET)
\nKings at Jazz (9:30 ET)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"14 teams\u00a0still alive in the Emirates NBA Cup. 11 Group\u00a0Play games remaining. 6 Knockout\u00a0Rounds spots left. 1 night\u00a0to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":314959,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85,8019],"class_list":{"0":"post-314958","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-basketball","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-basketball","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-starting-5"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=314958"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314958\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/314959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=314958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=314958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=314958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}