The Golden State Warriors secured the first of eight spots in the NBA Cup knockout round with an impressive victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. This win propelled the Warriors to a perfect 3-0 record in West Group C, ensuring their top position due to favorable head-to-head wins against both the Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks. In contrast, the other five groups remain more competitive and less defined, with upcoming games on the next two Tuesdays and the following Friday set to determine the five additional group winners and the highest-ranked second-place teams in each conference who will join the six group winners in the quarterfinals.
In East Group A, the standings remained unchanged as the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks took a night off, still showcasing their strong positions to advance. The Philadelphia 76ers moved up to third place after defeating the Brooklyn Nets without the services of Joel Embiid and Paul George, yet this victory holds little significance for their advancement as they suffered earlier losses to both the Magic and the Knicks. The upcoming matchup between Orlando and New York on December 3 will be pivotal in determining the group title, with both teams looking to maintain their momentum in their next games against Brooklyn and Charlotte, respectively.
In East Group B, the Milwaukee Bucks took the lead on point differential following a key 12-point victory over the Indiana Pacers, aided by Giannis Antetokounmpo's triple-double and Damian Lillard's 13 assists. The Bucks are now considered the frontrunners in the group, with a crucial clash against the Detroit Pistons scheduled for December 3 that may determine first place. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat will host the Bucks on Tuesday as they aim to contribute to the standings. Detroit faces a must-win situation against Indiana to remain competitive for a second-place finish in the East, given the current dynamics of East Group C.
East Group C experienced a shake-up as the Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Atlanta Hawks, who nevertheless held on to the top position thanks to their earlier victory over the Boston Celtics. The Celtics managed to secure their second win against the Washington Wizards, improving their point differential to +14, which could play a crucial role in any potential tie for first place. It's vital for Boston to increase their scoring margin in their forthcoming game against Chicago to gain an advantage in a potential point differential tiebreaker. Meanwhile, Atlanta's performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers could reshape the power dynamics within the group if they do not secure a win.
In West Group A, the Houston Rockets solidified their standing with a 116-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers but will need to remain vigilant, as their next matches against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings could alter the group rankings. The Timberwolves hold significant potential with two upcoming home games that could dramatically change the competition's landscape, as they aim to challenge the Rockets' dominance. West Group B did not see any action on Friday, with the San Antonio Spurs set to meet the Utah Jazz in an essential game for the Spurs. The Los Angeles Lakers, the lone unbeaten team in the group, will look to maintain their advantage against the Phoenix Suns in their next encounter.
In the standings for West Group C, the Golden State Warriors emerged as the first group winner after their victory against the Pelicans, supported by the Dallas Mavericks' win over the Denver Nuggets. The Warriors possess head-to-head victories over both Dallas and New Orleans, thereby solidifying their qualification, while the Pelicans have been eliminated from knockout contention. Dallas now focuses on their final group-stage matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, seeking to increase their scoring margin to improve their chances as a top second-place team in the West.
