Regular season excitement cranks up a notch this week as the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals go down Tuesday and Wednesday night before the semifinals on Saturday.
After some enthralling Group Play action that ended with plenty of drama courtesy of point differential as a tiebreaker, the stage is set for some great elimination basketball this week. The inaugural edition saw terrific theatre as Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers put on a show, and it’s time to sit back and enjoy what the star power of this year’s knockout stages will do for a place in Las Vegas.
Here’s what to look for in the quarterfinals:
East Quarterfinals
Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks (TNT, 7:00 p.m. EST/4:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Dec. 10)
This matchup lost some luster after the news that Franz Wagner tore his oblique and joined Paolo Banchero on the sidelines for the Magic (17-9). Milwaukee (12-11) has been steadily redeeming its season and a place in the semifinals would extend the good vibes of late. The Bucks are 10-3 over the last 13 games after a 2-8 start, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is firmly in the MVP mix, averaging a sensational 32.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
In the absence of Banchero and Wagner, Orlando will rely on a committee approach with Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze and Cole Anthony among those who will be expected to step up their scoring.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks (ESPN, 7:00 p.m. EST/4:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, Dec. 11)
It seems like eons ago that Trae Young was putting on masterful playoff performances at Madison Square Garden and sending the Knicks home. The tables have turned now, with New York (15-9) firm favorites as one of the ascendant teams in the East and the Hawks (13-12) firmly in the middle.
The beauty of an elimination-style format is anything can happen on a given night. Atlanta will be hoping Young and Jalen Johnson can outdo the Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns-led Knicks.
West Quarterfinals
Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (TNT, 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Dec. 10)
Luka Doncic vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the premier matchups in the league, making this battle must-see TV. Oklahoma City (19-5) sits pretty atop the Western Conference, while Dallas (16-8) is soaring up the standings with seven straight wins.
Remember, these two teams faced off in a tremendous six-game series during last year’s Western Conference Semifinals. One can only hope this contest lives up to the billing.
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets (TNT, 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST on Wednesday, Dec. 11)
The Rockets (16-8) have been one of the seas0n’s biggest surprises, firmly sitting in third place in the West on the back of the league’s second-best defense. Golden State (14-9) hasn’t been far behind with the fourth-best defense, so this game could very well come down to which team can make enough happen offensively.
Stephen Curry has showcased big game prowess throughout his career, but a vintage Curry elimination game performance in December is a sight we haven’t seen yet.
