27.11.2024
Washington Wizards 108 - 127 Chicago Bulls
Nikola Vucevic and Coby White led the Chicago Bulls to a decisive 127-108 victory over the Washington Wizards, with Vucevic contributing 19 points and 12 rebounds and White adding 21 points. This NBA Cup win placed the Bulls in a three-way tie with Boston and Atlanta, ahead of Cleveland in East Group C. Chicago allowed its second-fewest points and achieved the largest margin of victory this season. Despite Kyle Kuzma's 23 points, Washington suffered its 12th consecutive loss and was eliminated from the quarterfinals. Rookie Alex Sarr, selected second overall in the draft, showcased his potential with 20 points and four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Zach Lavine added 18 points for the Bulls, who turned their shooting around from a dismal first quarter to make 10 of their next 15 three-point attempts. This road win improved Chicago’s away record to 6-5, joining the ranks of other Eastern teams above .500 on the road. The Wizards next face the L.A. Clippers, while Chicago takes on Orlando.
Miami Heat 103 - 106 Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks secured their fifth consecutive victory by defeating the Miami Heat 106-103 in an NBA Cup game, with Damian Lillard shining by scoring 37 points and providing 12 assists. Despite relinquishing a 22-point lead, the Bucks managed to hold off Miami, largely due to Lillard's impressive performance, which tied him with Allen Iverson for ninth place in NBA history for games with at least 35 points and 10 assists. Notably, Lillard's 37 points were the second-highest by a Bucks player against Miami in regular-season history. The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was sidelined due to knee swelling. Meanwhile, Miami struggled from beyond the arc, being outscored 60-30 in 3-point range. Nevertheless, Jimmy Butler's 23-point effort kept Miami competitive, as they repeatedly closed the gap but never managed to take the lead. AJ Green's crucial back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minutes helped secure the win for Milwaukee, who has improved to a .500 record at 9-9 and now leads East Group B in the Cup standings.
Minnesota Timberwolves 111 - 117 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets secured a 117-111 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, clinching West Group A and a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Alperen Sengun delivered an impressive performance with a triple-double, recording 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Fred VanVleet also shined, adding 27 points and 11 assists, while Dillon Brooks contributed 22 points. Despite Anthony Edwards' 29 points and 10 rebounds, the Timberwolves suffered their third consecutive loss. Notably, rookie Rob Dillingham had his best game of the season, stepping up in the absence of Mike Conley by scoring 12 points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. The Rockets showcased their defensive prowess with 12 steals and nine blocks, forcing 17 turnovers leading to 16 points. The game remained tight, with Rudy Gobert's clutch block sending it into overtime after a potential game-winning layup attempt by Sengun. The Rockets' early barrage from beyond the arc, hitting 15 of 37 three-pointers, was crucial in building their lead. Both teams faced a demanding schedule, playing the first of back-to-back games, with the Rockets heading to Philadelphia and the Timberwolves preparing to host Sacramento.
Utah Jazz 115 - 128 San Antonio Spurs
In an NBA Cup game, Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 128-115 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City by scoring an impressive 34 points, including six 3-pointers. Rookie Stephon Castle also shone with 23 points, matching his season high. The Spurs surged ahead in the fourth quarter, with Julian Champagnie contributing 15 points while making three crucial 3-pointers. Utah's Lauri Markkanen had to be helped off the court after a collision with Wembanyama, and he was 0 for 6 from 3-point range prior to his injury. Despite Utah's Lauri Markkanen and team shooting 51% from the field, they were hindered by 21 turnovers, leading the league in this category. Keyonte George led Utah with 26 points, and both Collin Sexton and John Collins added 20 each. San Antonio's resilience was evident with 30 assists and a rebounding edge of 25-15 in the second half while limiting Utah to just 22 points in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul also contributed by hitting a crucial 3-pointer late in the game to extend the Spurs' lead. The Spurs now turn their focus to hosting the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Jazz will face Denver.
Phoenix Suns 127 - 100 Los Angeles Lakers
The Phoenix Suns are set to welcome back Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal from injuries in their NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, aiming to end a five-game losing streak. Durant and Beal's absence has notably impacted the Suns, with the team holding a 1-6 record without them. Durant, before his injury, was averaging 27.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, while Beal contributed 17.8 points per game. This game marks their first return since a loss to the New York Knicks, and their comeback is expected to boost the team's offense significantly. The Lakers, also coming off a tough loss against the Denver Nuggets, are led by Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but have struggled with consistency; Davis, in particular, had an uncharacteristically low performance against Denver. The Lakers and Suns have split their two previous matchups this season, with both teams hoping to gain an edge in West Group B of the NBA Cup, where the Lakers currently lead with a 2-0 record.