The NBA Cup chaos is alive and well, folks. With three game nights left in group play, the Warriors are the first team to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Golden State took care of business Friday, downing New Orleans, while Dallas did them a solid by topping Denver. That combination crowned the Warriors as the West Group C champs.
It’s not just about clinching; it’s about making a statement. The Warriors have been sharp in group play, and their early qualification puts the rest of the field on notice. But don’t sleep on Dallas just yet. Despite sitting in second place in the group, the Mavericks are in prime position for the West wild card thanks to a healthy +41-point differential. A win at home against Memphis on Dec. 3 could all but seal the deal for Luka and company.
Houston, You’re Up Next
The Rockets, riding high on a flawless group record, could join Golden State in the quarterfinals as early as Tuesday. They face Minnesota in a pivotal matchup to claim West Group A. Win that, and Houston’s name gets added to the “clinched” column.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, still unbeaten in West Group B, have their work cut out for them this week. Road and home games against Phoenix and Oklahoma City, respectively, stand between them and a clinch. Drop one of those, and things get… messy.
Eastern Conference Drama Heating Up
Over in the East, Group A looks like it’s on a collision course between Orlando and New York. Both teams are unbeaten, and their Dec. 3 matchup promises to settle the score.
Group B? Milwaukee and Detroit could duke it out for supremacy, but Miami has the potential to spoil the party. Keep an eye on the Heat’s two games this week — those results could clear the path for a winner-takes-all clash between the Bucks and Pistons.
And then there’s East Group C, which might as well be the NBA’s version of Survivor. Every team except Philly is still in the mix, and this group looks destined to come down to point differential. Atlanta hosting Cleveland on Friday is a must-watch.
The Field So Far
- Clinched: Golden State
- Still Undefeated: Orlando, New York, Milwaukee, Detroit, Houston, Lakers
- In the Hunt: Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Portland, Minnesota, Clippers, Phoenix, San Antonio, OKC
- Eliminated: Toronto, Indiana, Charlotte, Brooklyn, Philly, Washington, New Orleans, Denver, Memphis, Sacramento, Utah
If you’re into chaos and crunching numbers, this is your week. Buckle up. The road to Vegas just got bumpier.
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