We have made it to the Final 8 teams of the NBA Cup, as the Qtr Finals are set to begin tomorrow!
Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in the inaugural NBA Cup Final. Both were unable to make it to the Qtr Finals this season!
Two games taking place Wednesday and Thursday, with an East and Western conference match up set both days.
Wednesday game 1:
Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks:
You’ve got to hand it to the Orlando Magic. They lost Paolo Banchero to an Oblique injury earlier in the season and no one gave them a chance. Franz Wagner has been phenomenal since then and had the Magic in 3rd spot in the East, before he too just went down with an Oblique injury himself! A devastating blow to a team who very well would’ve had both in the All-Star game this season.
Milwaukee can’t afford to take Orlando lightly though, as without their superstars, were still good enough to defeat Phoenix 115-100.
Milwaukee started poor this season, but have since turned things around to now sit in 6th at 12-11. Khris Middleton has returned to the line up off the bench which will help this team in a big way, with Giannis and Dame playing at an extremely high level. Orlando’s only chance in this one is to make it a very ugly grind - which may be too hard to do against a team like Milwaukee who can fill it up!
Milwaukee once again make the Semi Finals!
Wednesday Game 2:
Dallas Mavericks @ OKC Thunder:
Last years NBA 2nd Round finalists face off in this elimination final of the NBA Cup and both come in red hot. Dallas have won their last 7 games, with OKC also riding a 3 game winning streak. The teams also met last month, with Dallas winning without the services of superstar Luka Doncic. Doncic will be available here along with Kyrie and Klay Thompson, who will want to punch their tickets to Vegas.
OKC have looked great with the addition of Isaiah Hartenstein coming back from injury, especially without Chet Holmgren. Hartenstein will be needed to defend the rim against the likes of Doncic, while on the other end of the floor SGA and Jalen Williams will want to get their playoff revenge and try get OKC into their first trip to Vegas.
This one will be incredibly tight, and have some points in it, so sit back and enjoy the show. Dallas go through with a Luka buzzer beater!
Thursday Game 1:
Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks:
Talk about a rivalry! Knicks fans do not take too kindly to Trae Young, and he absolutely loves it. Young and the Hawks knocked off the Knicks at home a couple weeks ago, with Number 1 pick Zac Risascher having a brilliant night out. Dyson Daniels was also pivotal in limiting Jalen Brunson to a tough shooting night, and if the Hawks are to get another win, they’ll need that and more.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a big night out up against Capela, and the Knicks have had great production from him all season long, which will help the Knicks in the long run not needing to be reliant on Brunson night in and night out.
Atlanta play with plenty of pace, which will be fine with the Knicks. Expect the scoreboard attendant to be very busy at Madison Square Garden, as well as the Knicks getting an entertaining win!
Thursday Game 2:
Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets:
Could we have 2 Southwest Texas Dicisional rivals facing off in Vegas? Houston have been outstanding this season, with Alperen Sengun a big reason for it! Sengun may very well earn an All Star berth this season if his level of play continues, and he will need a big showing to get one over the Warriors here. Golden State have won both match ups this season and both of those wins have come without Steph Curry.
Curry will be available in this Qtr Final, and over the years Steph has had plenty of big games in Houston.
It’s tough to knock off a team 3x within the 1st 2 months of the season, so it’s time for an all Texas Semi Final with the Rockets winning in this one!
Enjoy the magic of the NBA Cup!!
Bauky