The 2025 NBA Cup is about to reach its climax because we’re down to six teams vying for the midseason trophy. The Magic and Knicks have already advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals after winning their quarter-finals games against the Heat and Raptors, punching their tickets to Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the Western Conference quarter-finals, the Thunder will face the Suns, and the Lakers will take on the Spurs. The Thunder, Lakers, and Spurs qualified for the knockouts by taking the top spots in their groups, while the Suns got in due to a superior point differential over the Grizzlies and Nuggets.
But more than adding a piece of silverware, the teams are fighting for the huge financial bonus because players on the tournament championship team will win at least $500,000 each.
Without further ado, continue reading below for the SBOTOP preview of tomorrow’s Cup matches.
Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Suns face the unenviable task of beating the virtually unplayable Thunder, who have only lost one game so far this season. The NBA 2025 odds have Phoenix as the massive underdogs because they’ll have to do it without their star Devin Booker.
Booker sustained a strained groin last Monday against the Lakers, though the team won two of its last three games without him. On Monday, the Suns won 108-105, overcoming Anthony Edwards’ 40-point explosion.
Mark Williams led the way with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals on 7-for-9 shooting from the field in 29 minutes of action. However, his top contribution may have been getting Rudy Gobert – Minnesota’s best defencive player – ejected in the third period by drawing a Flagrant 2 foul call. Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and Oso Ighodaro added 19, 18, 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Thunder, Cup runners-up behind the Bucks last season, cruised to their 15th straight victory, routing the Jazz 131-101 on Sunday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took the day off, but his teammates picked up the slack, namely Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, who had 25 points each. Aaron Wiggins, Ousmane Dieng, Branden Carlson, and Kenrich Williams added 19, 14, 13, and 11 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander (elbow) is off the injury report as expected, and the reigning MVP will put on a show in front of their home fans. The 27-year-old guard remains one of the best players in the game, averaging 32.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals on 56/44/88 shooting splits across 23 starts.
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -15.00 @ 2.08
San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, and they have a chance to win their second this year because their stars are together again.
After a humiliating road loss to the Celtics on Friday, the Lakers bounced back with a 112-108 road win against the Sixers. Luka Doncic and LeBron James had 50 points combined, with the latter hitting the go-ahead three-pointer down the stretch and recording the game-icing steal. Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, and Austin Reaves added 17, 14, and 11 points, respectively.
The Lakers have been boosted by the impending return of Marcus Smart, who has dealt with a back injury. Maxi Kleber is the only player on the injury report.
According to the NBA 2025 news, the Spurs will continue to be without their franchise cornerstone, Victor Wembanyama, who has been sidelined with a left calf strain since a loss to the Warriors on November 14. However, in his absence, San Antonio have held steady, winning eight of their past 11 matches, including a pair of NBA Cup group stage matches that helped them qualify for the knockouts.
The Spurs are coming off a 135-132 win over the Pelicans on Monday, when seven players scored double-digit points. Harrison Barnes topped the team with 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field. Dylan Harper went toe-to-toe with fellow rookie Derik Queen and contributed 22 points, three rebounds, and six assists on 10-for-16 shooting off the bench. Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, De’Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson, and Kelly Olynyk added 18, 17, 14, 12, and 11 points.
There’s a huge chance that two of the past finalists will meet in the Western Conference final, but we’ll likely give the edge to Oklahoma City, given how they’re playing so far this season. On the other hand, the final between the Magic and Knicks is up for grabs.
Betting tip – Los Angeles Lakers Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.79
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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