Two down, six spots to go.
The Houston Rockets joined the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Cup knockout quarterfinal round after a gutsy win on the road, while two of hottest teams in the league in the Milwaukee Bucks and the San Antonio continued their winning ways.
ROCKETS OUTLAST TIMBERWOLVES TO CLINCH WEST GROUP A; BUCKS, SPURS KEEP ROLLING
- Houston Rockets (13-6) def. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-9), 117-111: In a thrilling battle in the Twin City, the Rockets are through to the next round of the NBA Cup after toppling the Timberwolves.
- Coming Hot for H-Town: Fred VanVleet took off with a team-high 27 markers and 11 dimes, while Alperen Sengun had a 22-point, 10-rebound, and 11-assist triple-double as Houston improved to 3-0 and moved one win away from completing a group-stage sweep.
ROCKETS CLINCH WEST GROUP A 🚀🏆
— NBA (@NBA) November 27, 2024
Watch their 11-0 run in OT that sent them through to the Knockout Rounds of the #EmiratesNBACup!
- Milwaukee Bucks (9-9) def. Miami Heat (7-8), 116-113: Damian Lillard scored 25 of his 37 points in the opening frame, taking charge of a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks squad who held off the Heat for 3-0 NBA Cup start and a fifth-straight win. The group winner will be decided when the Bucks visit the Pistons in Detroit.
[ALSO READ: Damian Lillard, Bucks buck Giannis absence to escape Heat for 3-0 NBA Cup start]
- San Antonio Spurs (10-8) def. Utah Jazz (4-13), 128-115: Make it a season-high fourth successive win for the Spurs, thanks to a dominating road win against the Jazz.
- Wemby does wonders: Victor Wembanyama was a force to be reckoned with in this latest Spurs triumph, finishing with 34 points, seven rebounds, and six triples. As it stands, San Antonio shared the top spot in the West Group B alongside the LA Lakers and the Phoenix Suns behind their identical 2-1 win-loss records.
SUNS' BIG THREE ROUT LAKERS; BULLS ELIMINATE WIZARDS
- Phoenix Suns (9-7) def. LA Lakers (10-6), 127-00: Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal returned to help Devin Booker and the Suns dealt the Lakers their first loss in the NBA Cup.
[ALSO READ: News Back at full strength, Phoenix Suns deal Los Angeles Lakers their first ever NBA Cup loss]
- Thrice is nice at the Valley: Durant, Beal, and Booker combined for 72 points to torch the reigning tournament champions, while also snapping a five-game losing skid.
- Chicago Bulls (8-11) def. Washington Wizards (2-14), 127-108: Nikola Vucevic collected his 12th double-double of the season in a dominating Bulls win to boot the Wizards out of the NBA Cup.
