Raptors Face Off Against Knicks in NBA Cup Quarterfinals as Bracket Completes
The NBA Cup quarterfinals are set, with exciting matchups lined up for basketball fans. Key games will feature strong teams vying for a chance to advance further in the tournament.
Quarterfinal Matchups and Schedule
The quarterfinals will include the following matchups:
- Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic
- New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors
- Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The games are scheduled as follows:
| Date | Matchup | Time (EST) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 9 | Miami at Orlando | 6 p.m. |
| Dec. 9 | New York at Toronto | 8:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 10 | Phoenix at Oklahoma City | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 10 | San Antonio at L.A. Lakers | 10 p.m. |
Teams’ Path to the Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals include notable performances from various teams. The New York Knicks secured their spot by defeating the defending champions, the Milwaukee Bucks, with a score of 118-109. This win allowed them to finish first in East Group C despite having a record of 3-1.
In the Eastern Conference, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic topped their groups with perfect 4-0 records. The Miami Heat earned a wild-card slot by also finishing 3-1 in their group. On the Western side, the Oklahoma City Thunder, current champions, posted a remarkable 19-1 record, securing the top position in Group A. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs triumphed in their tightly contested game against Denver for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Playoff Structure and Financial Incentives
The upcoming quarterfinal games will also impact regular-season records. Teams will play additional matchups against their rivals across the season. For instance, Miami and Orlando will meet for the fifth time this season for the first time since 1993-94.
Players from quarterfinal teams can earn significant bonuses. Each player will receive:
- $53,903 for reaching the quarterfinals
- $106,187 for a spot in the semifinals
- $212,373 for advancing to the finals
- $530,933 for winning the championship
Looking Ahead
Following the quarterfinal rounds, the semifinals will take place in Las Vegas on December 13, with the championship game scheduled for December 16. Notably, these matches will contribute to the teams’ regular-season standings.
For teams eliminated from the quarterfinals, the NBA has adjusted their schedules, adding two more regular-season games to reach the total of 82 for the season.
