The New York Knicks, driven by Jalen Brunson’s 37 points, secured their place in the NBA Cup quarter-finals with a 118-109 victory over Milwaukee on Friday, eliminating the defending in-season tournament
champion Bucks from the competition.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo returned after a four-game injury hiatus to score 30 points, grab 15 rebounds, and dish out eight assists in 28 minutes, but Milwaukee suffered their seventh consecutive loss.
Starting the fourth quarter trailing by four, the Bucks narrowed the gap to two points on an Antetokounmpo dunk with 5:19 remaining. However, the Knicks widened their lead, largely thanks to Brunson, who made nine out of ten free throws, including four in the final period.
Magic & Heat Win
The Knicks topped their group, and their victory at Madison Square Garden also allowed the Miami Heat, who were idle on Friday, to advance as the Eastern Conference wild card to the quarter-finals set for December 9 and 10.
Friday’s final 11 games of group play in the in-season tournament determined six knockout round berths, with all games, except the final, counting towards the regular-season standings.
The Orlando Magic also advanced with a hard-fought 112-109 win over the Pistons in Detroit. Two days after their 13-game winning streak ended in Boston, the Pistons rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a one-point lead twice, but the Magic prevailed in the final minutes.
Desmond Bane scored 37 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Franz Wagner contributed 21 points, and Anthony Black scored 16 off the bench for the Magic, who overcame a 39-point triple-double from Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, including 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Magic secured a trio of offensive rebounds in the final minute, and Jalen Suggs nailed a pair of free throws with 6.3 seconds left, sealing the win and ensuring Orlando advanced with a perfect 4-0 record in group play.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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