The NBA Cup semifinals are set in Las Vegas with two intriguing matchups pending. The New York Knicks face the Orlando Magic in a familiar Eastern Conference clash, while the Oklahoma City Thunder meet the San Antonio Spurs for the first time this season.
Both Knicks and Magic have shown resilience to reach this stage. The Knicks recovered from an early loss and recent road struggles, fueled by Josh Hart’s return and Karl-Anthony Towns’ breakout performance. Jalen Brunson has been a key scorer, averaging over 30 points in recent games, highlighted by a 35-point effort in Toronto. The Magic, despite missing Franz Wagner due to an ankle injury, have thrived on depth and versatility. Desmond Bane’s scoring bursts, including two 37-point games, and Paolo Banchero’s growing impact have propelled Orlando to an undefeated group stage and a quarterfinal win over Miami.
In the Western Conference, the Thunder secured their semifinal spot with dominant performances and a 24.8 points average margin of victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a team known for clutch moments, boasting a +41.4 net rating in close games. Oklahoma City’s lockdown defense and balanced scoring have made them favorites to advance. The Spurs, meanwhile, are waiting on the potential return of Victor Wembanyama from a left calf strain. His matchup against Chet Holmgren adds extra drama due to their historic rivalry, including limited past NBA encounters and international competition dating to their youth.
Key matchups to watch include Orlando’s attempt to compensate for Wagner’s absence with contributions from Banchero and Bane, and San Antonio’s quick guards facing a defensively strong Thunder perimeter. The Spurs’ trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper showed impressive scoring in the quarterfinals, but Oklahoma City’s defensive versatility, including Alex Caruso, presents a tough challenge.
Experts predominantly predict Oklahoma City to advance to the final, with the Thunder favored over either New York or Orlando. The semifinals in Las Vegas promise a blend of emerging teams and star talent, spotlighting evolving strategies and player narratives as the NBA Cup nears its climax.
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