The landscape of the NBA Cup is becoming increasingly defined following two rounds of games played on Tuesday and Friday. The Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Golden State Warriors currently lead their respective groups after the latest results. While not all six teams are assured a place in the quarterfinals as group winners, they have sufficiently positioned themselves in the race for a chance to compete in the final eight. Additionally, the best second-place team from each conference will also advance.
Certain teams have already found themselves at a disadvantage in their quest for first place within their groups. Prominently, the Philadelphia 76ers, with a record of 0-2 and losses to both the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks, now face an uphill battle without a viable path to claiming victory in East Group A. The current standings reflect Orlando atop the group at 2-0, with New York also at 2-0, followed by Brooklyn at 0-1, Charlotte at 0-1, and Philadelphia at 0-2. The outcome of the upcoming match between the Magic and the Knicks on December 3 at Madison Square Garden is likely to determine the group winner, with both teams making efforts to secure victories in their remaining games.
In East Group B, the Detroit Pistons achieved a narrow victory against the Toronto Raptors, placing them in a precarious lead. Despite their current standing, the Pistons still face formidable challenges ahead with matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in the final two group games. The Bucks, with a record of 1-0, appear well-positioned to contend for first place. The two teams are set to clash on December 3, contingent on both teams succeeding in their next contests.
Moving to East Group C, the Atlanta Hawks have emerged as strong contenders following their significant victory over the Boston Celtics Tuesday and subsequent victory against the Washington Wizards Friday. The Hawks must now navigate their upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls and face off against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers on November 29. The Cavaliers, a dominant 14-0 this season, will also be closely watched in their matchup against the Hawks as they aim to solidify their strong standing in the league.
In Western Conference Group A, the Houston Rockets claimed a decisive 21-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, which may play an important role in the overall outcomes in a tightly contested group. As the standings currently show, the Rockets lead the group at 1-0, while the Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves all continue to vie for favorable positioning. Notably, the Timberwolves will need to raise their performance significantly in their upcoming matches to improve their overall standing.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's performance has been a highlight, managing to maintain their winning trajectory even in the absence of star player Chet Holmgren. They secured a 16-point victory against the Phoenix Suns, reducing the Suns to only 83 points. The matchup between the Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers on November 29 is expected to be a pivotal contest with significant ramifications for both teams in their quest for a playoff position. Meanwhile, the Lakers currently hold a narrow lead after their victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Finally, in West Group C, the Golden State Warriors continue their strong form and stand out as a favorite to advance from the group, having already achieved a record of 2-0. Their upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets on December 3 will be crucial, especially considering the Nuggets have suffered a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Both the Warriors and Pelicans will look to consolidate their positions in their next matches as group play progresses.
