The NBA Cup moves into the elimination stage Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, with two Eastern Conference quarterfinals that will decide the first semifinalists of the inaugural tournament.
Heat at Magic
Orlando hosts state rival Miami at Kia Center with both clubs carrying 14-10 records. The Magic have won the season’s first two meetings but will be without leading scorer Franz Wagner, sidelined by a high left-ankle sprain suffered Sunday. Forward Paolo Banchero returns for a third straight game after missing nearly a month because of a groin injury.
Miami arrives on a three-game skid, its longest of the season. Guard Norman Powell paces the Heat with 24.8 points per game, and a retooled offense tops the league in pace at 105.4 possessions per 48 minutes, a sharp rise from last year’s 97.1 (27th).
Knicks at Raptors
The nightcap sends New York to Toronto, one month after the Knicks routed the Raptors 116-94 at Madison Square Garden. Under first-year coach Mike Brown, New York has won seven of eight and owns the NBA’s third-best offensive rating (121.7) and fourth-best net rating (+8.2). Guard Jalen Brunson leads the team with 28.0 points per game, while forward Karl-Anthony Towns adds 22.5 points and 11.9 rebounds.
Toronto enters having dropped five of its past six after a nine-game winning streak. Forwards Brandon Ingram (21.2 ppg) and Scottie Barnes (20.0 ppg) headline the offense. Former Knick RJ Barrett (19.4 ppg) will miss the game with a knee injury, while fellow ex-Knick Immanuel Quickley contributes 16.5 points per contest.
Winners advance to Las Vegas for the semifinals later this week.
Source: ESPN
