Magic and Knicks Advance to NBA Cup Semifinals After Big Wins

The NBA Cup knockout round took place last night, featuring two exhilarating quarterfinal matchups. The Orlando Magic triumphed over the Miami Heat with a score of 117–108, while the New York Knicks secured a victory against the Toronto Raptors, finishing 117–101. With these wins, both teams progress to the semifinals in Las Vegas later this week, and these outcomes also contribute to their positions in the regular-season standings.

Magic Defeat Heat Behind Huge Night from Desmond Bane

In a lively contest, the Orlando Magic overcame the Miami Heat, concluding the game with a score of 117–108. The standout performance was delivered by Desmond Bane, who exploded offensively, scoring 37 points on 14-of-24 shooting. His impressive statistics included six successful three-pointers, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, illustrating why the Magic sought to acquire him during the offseason. Bane’s commanding performance proved pivotal in allowing Orlando to fend off multiple late-game surges from Miami.

Jalen Suggs exhibited one of his finest performances of the season, contributing 20 points and 4 assists, while Paolo Banchero added 18 points and secured 7 rebounds. Collectively, the trio provided the Magic with a harmonious blend of scoring and playmaking throughout the game.

The Miami Heat also had strong contributions from several players. Norman Powell led the team with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Both Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points, while Tyler Herro chipped in with 20 points and 7 rebounds. However, despite the offensive efforts from their key players, the Heat struggled to contain Bane and could not prevent the Magic from pulling ahead during the latter stages of the game.

Knicks Beat Raptors to Reach First NBA Cup Semifinal

The New York Knicks secured a commanding 117–101 victory in Toronto, driven by another stellar performance from Jalen Brunson, who amassed 35 points while controlling the game’s tempo from the beginning. New York seized control during the second quarter, outscoring the Raptors 34–13 and maintaining their lead for the remainder of the matchup.

Josh Hart provided a significant lift for the Knicks, contributing 21 points and showcasing his characteristic energy and toughness on the court. The Raptors started the game strong, holding a slight advantage after the first quarter; however, they faltered significantly in the second. Brandon Ingram scored 31 points to keep Toronto competitive, yet Scottie Barnes encountered a challenging shooting night, failing to ignite a comeback.

What’s Next

With these impressive victories, the Magic and Knicks are set to face one another in the semifinals in Las Vegas. Both teams are now just two wins away from claiming the coveted NBA Cup title, and the successes achieved last night also bolster their standings in the regular season. The stage is meticulously arranged for an electrifying clash later this week.