Following the successful first NBA Cup season, the NBA Cup 2024 has reached the quarterfinal stage with much excitement, a dramatic twist, and a surprise contender that has emerged in the final moments, sparking a wave of excitement among fans. This NBA Cup, also known as the Emirates NBA Cup, will be played during the 2024-25 NBA season. As mentioned, this is the second edition of the NBA Cup, with 30 teams participating, each playing four regular season games that count towards their tournament group stage standings. This season, the Los Angeles Lakers entered as defending champions. However, they were eliminated in the group stage, and the Indiana Pacers were also eliminated from the battle after losing their match with the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons. This sets the stage for a championship game featuring two new teams, with the emergence of a surprise contender significantly adding a new layer of excitement to the tournament.
The NBA Cup 2024 began with the teams being separated into six groups, each containing five teams. The Houston Rockets were placed among the Clippers, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, and Kings in the West Group A division. In their opening game, they faced the Clippers, who gave them a phenomenal triumph with a score of 125-104; their victorious path continued against the Trail Blazers 116-88 and Timberwolves 117-111. However, their final game with the Kings ended in a defeat by a margin of nine points. Despite this setback, their strong start and consistent performance made them qualify for the quarter-final. With a 3-1 record, West Group B division Oklahoma City Thunder entered into the play-off by defeating Suns, Lakers, and Jazz and lost one match to Spurs 104-110. In the West Group C division, the Golden Warriors clinched the playoff position with a record of 3-1. They started the campaign triumphantly against the Mavericks, Grizzlies, and Pelicans and lost to the Nuggets. The Mavericks also qualified for the next round in the same division with the same 3-1 record.
In the East Group A division, the New York Knicks won all four matches played and remained undefeated in the NBA Cup 2024, thanks to their consistent form and balanced offense and defense. Below the Knicks, the Orlando Magic is standing with a 3-1 record, and they are also entered in the quarterfinal competition. With an undefeated 4-0 record, Milwaukee Bucks from the East Group B division qualified for the next round, and in the East Group C division, Atlanta Hawks, with a 3-1 record, defeated Boston Celtics in the table to qualify for the playoff qualification. With an intense battle in the group stage, the teams are ready to kick off their quarterfinal showdown, creating anticipation for thrilling games and surprises.
NBA Cup 2024 Quarterfinals Schedule
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic – Eastern Conference
New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks – Eastern Conference
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors – Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks – Western Conference
NBA Cup 2024 Prize Money
Quarterfinal losers: $51,497
Semifinal losers: $102,994
Runner-up team members: $205,988
Championship team members:$514,970
Where to Watch the NBA Cup 2024 Quarterfinals?
Fans can look forward to a double dose of basketball excitement. Tuesday’s matchups will be exclusively on TNT, and Wednesday’s thrilling encounters will be shared between ESPN and TNT, ensuring viewers won’t miss a moment of the action.
Predictions
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic
On December 11, 2024, the Milwaukee Bucks will host the Orlando Magic in the highly anticipated NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinal at Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, WI).
NBA Standings
- Milwaukee Bucks: 5th in the Eastern Conference
- Orlando Magic: 3rd in the Eastern Conference
During the previous encounter, the Milwaukee Bucks snapped their seven consecutive triumphs by losing to the Atlanta Hawks by a score of 104-119. With Jalen Johnson scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds, the Atlanta Hawks showed exceptional performance. They had a significant advantage in the fast-break point (30-12) and points in the pain (64-34). While the Milwaukee Bucks struggled with their shooting, they shot only 43% overall and 33% from the three-point range, and the reliable shooters didn’t find the rhythm, contributing to lower scores for them. In addition to this, their unbalanced defense allowed the opponent to build a substantial lead and maintain it throughout the game. On the matchday, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks with 30 points and ten rebounds, but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for them to secure a victory over the Hawks. The Orlando Magic is also coming off a narrow win against the Philadelphia 76ers by a margin of 106-102.
In the game, Wagner’s performance was outstanding, scoring 35 points, making 12 of 23 shots from the floor, including a 3-pointer, and converting all ten free throws. Additionally, Jalen Suggs contributed 17 points, including three-pointers, which was crucial in the Orlando Magic’s scoring efforts. The reason behind the Philadelphia 76ers is that they are missing their key players due to injuries. Eventually, Orlando’s defense effectively limited the 76ers’ scoring opportunities, particularly in the crucial final minutes of the game. In this NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinal, Milwaukee Bucks have a strong lineup that Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead, and at the same time, the Orlando Magic have Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs; this makes it a close game, but Milwaukee Bucks will have an edge to win this game.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks will travel to Paycom Center (Oklahoma, OK) on December 11, 2024, to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the forthcoming NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinal.
NBA Standings
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st in the Western Conference
- Dallas Mavericks: 3rd in the Western Conference
In the first edition of the NBA Cup, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks struggled to qualify for the playoff position. Still, both showed phenomenal performances this time, which made them come this far. In the regular season, both are doing excellent, with the Oklahoma City Thunder standing ahead in the Western Conference with 17 wins and five losses. They are in the two-winning steaks, and their prior victory was against the Toronto Raptors, with a dominant score of 129-92. On the game day, Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with an impressive 30 points, showcasing his scoring ability and leadership. At the same time, Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, while Isaiah Joe added 16 points. The Thunder had six players scoring in double digits, demonstrating their depth and balanced attack. Over to their defense, they recorded 14 steals and 11 blocks, forcing the opponent into 19 turnovers, translating into 28 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While Dallas Mavericks is standing third in the same conference with 15 wins and eight losses, they are on six winning streaks, and in their last ten matches, they are holding a record of nine wins and one loss. They defeated the Washington Wizards by 137-101 in the prior game. Doncic delivered a stellar performance with 21 points, 10 assists, and ten rebounds, achieving his 78th career triple-double. With their intense defensive pressure, the Mavericks made 20 of 38 shots from beyond the arc, including 11 of their first 16 attempts, which helped build a substantial lead. The Oklahoma City Thunder has a tremendous advantage playing at their home. Considering this, they will have a higher chance to win over the Dallas Mavericks.
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks
On December 12, 2024, the New York Knicks will lock horns with the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) in the NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinal encounter.
NBA Standings
- New York Knicks: 4th in the Eastern Conference
- Atlanta Hawks: 6th in the Eastern Conference
In the NBA Cup 2024, the New York Knicks were the dominant force, finishing the group stage with an outstanding record of 4-0. This undefeated streak showed their consistent form and balanced approach on both court ends. The Knicks’ addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has been game-changing. Towns, known for his flexibility and scoring ability, has blended smoothly into the club, adding a new dimension to their attack. His ability to dominate inside and outside the paint makes him a difficult opponent for any defense. On the other hand, the Atlanta Hawks have had a season filled with ups and downs, but their resilience has been commendable. With a 3-1 record in the group stage, the Hawks secured their spot in the quarterfinals by defeating the Boston Celtics, highlighting their determination and capability to perform under pressure.
Trae Young has been the driving force behind the Hawks’ offensive. His long shooting range and excellent court vision give him continuous danger. Young’s ability to generate opportunities for himself and his teammates is unparalleled. Both teams must minimize the turnovers and care for their ball to have more scoring opportunities. The performance of the bench players will create a significant difference, especially in a close game. The battle between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Cup 2024 will be a thrilling encounter, with both teams spotting for the Semifinals; the New York Knicks will have a slight advantage due to their balanced attack and home-court advantage.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
The Houston Rockets will welcome the Golden State Warriors for the NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinal on December 12, 2024, at Toyota Center (Houston, TX).
NBA Standings
- Houston Rockets: 2nd in the Western Conference
- Golden State Warriors: 5th in the Western Conference
Despite missing their opportunity in the first edition of the NBA Cup 2023, the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors showed impressive performances this season and grabbed their seats in the playoffs. With 15 wins and eight losses, the Houston Rockets are sitting in second place in the Western Conference, with a home record of nine wins and three losses, and at home with six wins and five losses. In the previous NBA season, the Houston Rockets suffered a lot with their gameplay, which positioned them in 16th place on the table with 41 wins and 41 losses. With a few points difference, they missed qualifying for the play-in position. But now, when looking at their performance, it shows how they improved their strategy and performance compared to the previous season.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors are standing fifth in the same conference with 13 wins and eight losses. At home, they won six and lost three, and they won seven and lost five at their road games. In the last season, they finished before the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference with 46 wins and 36 losses, and they clinched the play-in position but were unable to win the championship. Their last H2H meet-up was on December 6, 2024, where the Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets by a margin of six points, snapped the Warriors five losing streaks, and ended up a second straight defeat for the Houston Rockets. Given the current form and the recent defeat to the Warriors, the Rockets will have an edge in winning this game.
