In a matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first defeat of the regular season during the second week of the 2024 NBA Cup group play.
The Cavaliers were the fourth team in NBA history to begin the season 15-0 going into the game at TD Garden, but they eventually faltered as the Celtics held on for an exciting victory of 120-117. Nonetheless, both teams still trail the Atlanta Hawks by one game in the Group C standings after Tuesday's result.
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 116-115 in
the other East game of the evening, improving to 1-1 in Group A. The Hornets'
(0-2) chances of moving on appear slim because two teams in that group—the
Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks—are currently at 2-0.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-106 in Group B
play in the Western Conference, even though Victor Wembanyama missed his second
consecutive game because of a contusion in his right knee.
In the meantime, the Los Angeles
Lakers, led by LeBron James, defeated the Utah Jazz 124-118 to advance to the
second round of that group.
Earlier in the evening, four West Group C teams were playing. Without Nikola
Jokic, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 122-110, while the
Dallas Mavericks easily defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 132-91. For personal
reasons, the defending MVP missed his third consecutive game.
What’s
Happened So Far?
November
12 Highlights
- Hawks vs. Celtics:
In a nail-biting showdown, the Hawks edged past the Celtics 117-116.
- Magic vs. Hornets:
The Magic brought their A-game, dominating the Hornets 114-89.
- Pistons vs. Heat:
An OT thriller saw the Pistons outlast the Heat 123-121.
- Knicks vs. 76ers:
The Knicks silenced Philly with a commanding 111-99 victory.
- Bucks vs. Raptors:
Milwaukee’s defense was rock-solid in their 99-85 win.
- Warriors vs. Mavericks: A nail-biter ended with the Warriors holding off the
Mavs 120-117.
November
15 Action
- Heat vs. Pacers:
Miami turned up the heat, blazing past the Pacers 124-111.
- Cavaliers vs. Bulls:
Cleveland’s offense exploded for a jaw-dropping 144-126 win.
- Knicks vs. Nets:
The battle of New York went down to the wire, with the Knicks prevailing 124-122.
- Timberwolves vs. Kings: An overtime thriller saw the Timberwolves edge out
the Kings 130-126.
November
19 Recap
- Celtics vs. Cavaliers:
Boston held on in a thriller, winning 120-117.
- Mavericks vs. Pelicans: Dallas put on a clinic, cruising to a stunning 132-91
victory.
- Lakers vs. Jazz:
The Lakers secured a hard-fought win 124-118, continuing their hot
streak.
Despite their first-season loss, the Cavaliers show their
mettle.
Despite having their 15-game winning streak ended, the Cleveland Cavaliers
proved they are a formidable team in the Eastern Conference this season,
defeating the Boston Celtics 120-117.
The Cavaliers, or at least Evan Mobley, viewed this game as a test, as he
stated before the game. Kenny Atkinson, the coach of the Cavaliers, stated
that he wanted his team to receive "feedback."
Cleveland had a lot. Darius Garland had a terrible time against Derrick White
and Jrue Holiday, the league's top defensive backcourt. In the fourth quarter,
Donovan Mitchell was able to shoot wherever he wanted and did his best to
almost lead Cleveland to a thrilling victory.
Mobley played a solid game Tuesday night to support his
impressive showing in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals the previous
year. Atkinson made an interesting choice by starting him at center instead of
Jarrett Allen, which may be a sign of things to come.
Kristaps Porzingis for Boston and the group of wing players for Cleveland were
absent from both teams. Overall, though, it was an incredibly entertaining game
that gives us a lot to look forward to when these teams play again and puts
Boston back in control of East Group C in the NBA Cup standings. -- Bontemps,
Tim
The Spurs' shorthanded team's CP3 star
In a game that showed the effect
Chris Paul could have on a young San Antonio team, the Spurs upset the Thunder
without their top three scorers.
Despite Paul's double-double of 14 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds, San
Antonio appeared to be a far more focused and organized team than they were at
almost any other point during the previous campaign. Wembanyama's decision to
miss his second consecutive game due to a knee contusion was a noteworthy
effort.
The Thunder rallied late in the
game, even outscoring the Spurs 27–17 in the fourth quarter, but they lost.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's32-pointeffort during that late run will help the Thunder
in the NBA Cup standings even though they lost because it kept their point
differential manageable.
Oklahoma City will benefit from their late run in the NBA Cup standings because
they still have a point differential that will allow them to qualify. OKC could
still advance because they defeated Phoenix by 16 points in their Group B
opener, provided they defeat the Lakers and the Jazz in their final two games.
-- Collier, Jamal
The
Lakers have the two hardest games left in group play: Nov. 26 at Phoenix and Nov. 29 at home against Oklahoma
City. Last year's first NBA Cup champions are the only team in Group B that
hasn't lost.
Dalton Knecht scored a career-high 37 points (and a rookie record-tying nine
3-pointers) to help the Lakers hold off a 124-118 victory to move to 2-0 in
Group B play, although the Jazz made things surprisingly interesting by scoring
43 points in the fourth quarter.
Knecht, who started for the third
straight quarter, had a run in which he made three 3-pointers on four straight
possessions. Knecht, like Michael Jordan in the 1992 NBA Finals, used shrugs to
punctuate the final two of those makes.
On a night when James finished with 26 points and 12 assists and Anthony Davis
finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds, the Lakers put on a remarkable
performance. -- Kevin Pelton.
Upcoming
Must-Watch Games
November 22
- Nets @ 76ers
(7 PM): Will Brooklyn’s fast pace outmatch Philly’s home-court advantage?
- Pacers @ Bucks
(7:30 PM, ESPN): Can Milwaukee’s defense hold against Indiana’s offense?
- Mavericks @ Nuggets
(10 PM, ESPN): Luka vs. Jokic—get ready for fireworks!
November 26
- Bucks @ Heat
(7:30 PM, TNT): A battle of Eastern Conference heavyweights in Miami.
- Lakers @ Suns
(10 PM, TNT): LeBron and Durant face off in a star-studded showdown.
November 29 (Thanksgiving Weekend Basketball Feast)
- Knicks @ Hornets
(Noon, NBA TV): Kick off your day with this Eastern Conference clash.
- Celtics @ Bulls
(8 PM): A classic rivalry renewed in primetime.
- Clippers @ Timberwolves (7:30 PM, ESPN): Will LA's star power hold up against
Minnesota’s grit?
Looking
Ahead
Mark your calendars for December:
- Quarterfinals:
December 10-11
- Semifinals:
December 14
- Championship Game:
December 17
The NBA Cup is more than just a regular-season event; it's
a showcase of the league's rising stars, intense rivalries, and unforgettable
moments. Each game has stakes, energy, and drama, bringing a playoff-like
atmosphere early in the season.
Stay tuned for updates, and don’t miss a second of the action as teams
battle for the first-ever Emirates NBA Cup title! 🏀
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