TITLE: Magic, Knicks clinch NBA Cup semifinal berths, will meet Saturday in Las Vegas
SLUG: magic-knicks-advance-to-nba-cup-semifinals
CONTENT:
The Orlando Magic and New York Knicks each booked trips to Las Vegas on Tuesday, securing places in the NBA Cup semifinals and setting up an all-Eastern Conference clash Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET, according to NBA Communications.
Magic erase early deficit to topple Heat
Orlando overcame a 13-point first-quarter hole to defeat the Miami Heat behind a season-high 37 points from offseason acquisition Desmond Bane. The Magic trailed by one at halftime and closed strong, getting 20 points from Jalen Suggs and 18 from Paolo Banchero.
Miami placed four starters in double figures, led by Norman Powell’s 21 points, but faded in the final period and was eliminated from Cup contention.
Knicks pull away from Raptors with dominant second quarter
New York advanced with a 117-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors, breaking the game open with a 34-13 second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson scored 35 points, Josh Hart added 21, and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Brandon Ingram paced Toronto with 31 points, but the Raptors could not recover after the Knicks’ decisive run and were knocked out of the tournament.
What’s next
The Magic and Knicks will square off Saturday for a spot in the NBA Cup final. The Heat and Raptors, both eliminated, meet Monday in Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Source: Hoops Wire
