Magic – Heat and Raptors – Knicks, NBA Cup quarterfinals under scrutiny

After the group stage and a few surprises, serious things begin in the NBA Cup. The quarterfinals on Tuesday and Wednesday will draw the picture for the Final Four, which begins on Saturday. To open the hostilities, set up the next night in the east with two posters: Magic – Heat, Raptors – Knicks.

Magic – Heat (00:00, Prime Video)

The quarterfinals open with a matchup between a team in the making and another that we didn’t expect to have this much celebration at the start of the season. For the Magic, being among the top four teams in the East during the group stage is a form of logic, given the franchise’s ambitions.

With last summer’s recruitment Desmond BaneOrlando wanted to establish himself among the elite of his Conference. We are not there yet (5th, 14 wins – 10 losses), but the team from Jamahl Mosley he managed to recover from a slow start and win the matches that matter, such as the “round of 16” against the Pistons on the last day of the group stage.

The performance is all the more remarkable because Orlando held on despite the absence Paolo Banchero in ten games, well led by the Magic. This time it is Franz Wagner who will be missed, after his spectacular injury but less serious than might be feared suffered against the Knicks on Sunday. A new challenge, even if the German already missed twenty matches last season.

Conversely, the Heat are one of the nice surprises early in the season, with the same record as their tonight’s opponent. The second half of the 2024/25 season, after the departure of Jimmy Butler, caused fears of a real end of the cycle, concluded with two humiliating losses at home to the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs (-37, then -55). Instead, Miami seems to have gotten stronger since the restart, with a revamped offense, what’s more Tyler Herrowho has missed 19 of the 24 games played this season.

Team ofErik Spoelstra he plays much faster (the best pace in the entire NBA), while maintaining his defensive base. She is counting on her Herro quintet (whose participation, however, is only “probable”) – Norman Powell – Bam Adebayo – Andrew Wiggins – Jaime Jaquez Jr to undermine the background of Magic.

The shape of the moment

This game comes almost a week too late for both teams. After winning 10 of 13 games between Nov. 7 and Dec. 1, the Magic have seen a little more time in recent days. Orlando lost last week to the Spurs, albeit without Victor Wembanyama, and at the Knicks. It’s even worse for the Heat, who have lost four of their last five outings after a six-game winning streak. Among these losses, Miami fell to the Magic last Friday, in a tight game (105-106).

Clashes this season

2-0 for the Magic : 125-121 on October 22, 106-105 on December 5

That hurts

Paolo Banchero – Bam Adebayo

Two All-Stars facing off in essentially the same position: this matchup within a matchup is full of promise. Paolo Banchero will have a lot of work to do in his third game since returning from injury. Franz Wagner’s absence makes the Magic’s offense more dependent on the exploits of its power forward, who is just starting to get back into rhythm (9 points in 20 minutes against the Heat, 16 points in 24 minutes against the Knicks).

It’s up to Bam Adebayo to take advantage of the opportunity to be dominant, as he was a few days ago against Orlando with 24 points and 15 rebounds. He, like his entire team, should be looking to redeem himself after a very disappointing performance against the Kings on Saturday (9 points, 7 rebounds in a 111-127 loss).

Labor force

Orlando Magic

Leaders: Jalen SuggsTyus Jones
Backs/Wings: Desmond Bane, Tristan Da SilvaAnthony Black, Jamal Cain (2-way), Jett Howard, Noah Penda, Jace Richardson
interiors: Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter JrGoga Bitadze, Colin Castleton (2-way), Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Robinson (2-way).
Absent: Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner

Miami Heat

Leaders: Davion MitchellKasparas Yakutsionis, Jahmir Young (2-way)
Backs/Wings: Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Andrew WigginsSimone Fontecchio, Myron Gardner (2-way), Jaime Jaquez Jr, Keshad Johnson, Pelle Larsson, Drew Smith
interiors: Bam AdebayoVladislav Goldin (two-way), Nikola Jovic, Kel’el Ware
Out: Tyler Herro?, Pelle Larsson?, Davion Mitchell?, Drew Smith?

The key

Who will impose his game on another? On paper, these two teams have quite the opposite style between the Heat’s fiery play and the Magic’s more controlled and tight-fisted defense to shoot better in transition. The figures presented tell a different story. For the same number of possessions, Orlando and Miami have almost exactly identical offensive and defensive ratings after 24 games: 115.7 compared to 115.4 on offense for the Magic, and the same average of 111.8 on defense, tied for 5th in the league. This was also felt during the first two meetings between these two teams this season, with two very different matches, but with the same very small deficit in favor of Orlando.

Raptors – Knicks (02:30, Prime Video)

As in the first poster, in this second quarter-final, unexpected teams are expected, Toronto and New York, third in the group stage in the East in the same place as during the last regular season. We can even talk about the regular season regarding the Knicks, the only franchise to advance to the quarterfinals of the first three NBA Cups. New York’s goal is to cross this milestone and discover the Final Four after failures with the Bucks in 2023 and the Hawks in 2024.

Arrival at Mike Brown is starting to make an impact with a revived New York offense (2nd in the East, 16-7). After an initial tickle against the Bulls, the Knicks have controlled this NBA Cup against the Heat, Hornets and Bucks. With four players averaging over 15 points, they could have some answer to the Raptors’ loaded starting five.

Disappointing last season, Toronto once again moved forward with integration Brandon Ingram. Between the former Pelicans winger, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickleyor RJ Barrettthe Canadian franchise does not lack assets in attack, as in defense. And a bench with Grady Dick, Jamal Shead, Sandro Mamukelasvili or I’m Kobe Walter is one of the greatest satisfactions for a coach Darko Rajaković. The NBA Cup served as a springboard for this team, the author of its first rap match of the season on the opening day by dominating the Cavaliers (112-101), before taking on the Hawks (109-97). So far undefeated in the competition, the Raptors are looking to confirm their good start with a visit to Las Vegas.

The shape of the moment

This match could also be a recovery for Toronto. Qualifying with a provisional record of 14-5, they have since slumped to just one win in their last six outings. A blowout loss to the weak Hornets last Friday (86-111) or a tough loss to New York on Nov. 30 (94-116) aren’t enough to die before they return to the context of a decisive matchup, the likes of which the franchise hasn’t experienced since the 2023 game against the Bulls.

For the Knicks, on the other hand, the dynamic could hardly be better. New York is one of the most prepared teams at the moment with seven wins in the last eight matches. The schedule was favorable for Jalen Brunson’s teammates, but they held their position by an average margin of more than 15 points in that span.

Clashes this season

1-0 for the Knicks : 116-94, last November 30

That hurts

Brandon Ingram – OG Anunoby

OG Anunoby’s return from injury is timely. The wing of the Knicks will be in charge of keeping – as often as possible – the best opponent on the outside, in the form of Brandon Ingram. It is also a meeting with a special flavor for the Englishman, who has long been a project of the Raptors on the wing, and who will face the man who is indirectly his successor. Brandon Ingram will have even more work to do as RJ Barrett (and his 19.4 ppg average) is out for Tuesday’s game.

Labor force

Toronto Raptors

Leaders: Immanuel QuickleyChucky Hepburn (two-way), Jamal Shead
Backs/Wings: Brandon Ingram, I’m Kobe WalterOchai Agbaji, Jamison Battle, Gradei Dick, AJ Lawson (2-way), Amijah Martin (2-way), Garrett Temple
interiors: Scottie Barnes, Jakob PoeltlSandro Mamukelashvili, Jonathan Mogbo, Colin Murray-Boyles
Out: RJ Barrett, Jamison Battle?, Jamal Shead?

New York Knicks

Leaders: Jalen BrunsonTyler Kolek
Backs/Wings: OG Anunobi, Mikal Bridges, Josh HartJordan Clarkson, Kevin McCullar Jr (2-way), Mohamed Diawara, Tosan Evbuomwan (2-way),
interiors: Karl-Anthony TownsAriel Huckporty, Trey Jamison (2-way), Mithcell Robinson, Guerschon Iabusele
Absent : Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, Landry Shamet, Karl-Anthony Towns ?

The key

Which face for the Knicks on the outside? On the one hand, there is New York at Madison Square Garden, an almost impregnable fortress since the beginning of the season (13-1) and which has witnessed many spectacular matches (second offensive rating at home, first place in the number of 3-point shots made…) And then the Knicks, far from their base with only three winners from 4 seasons, winners and not even the 4th defensive rating (against 6th at home). Will Mike Brown’s players manage to show a different side at Scottybank Arena? Without this, this could be even more complicated Karl-Anthony Townsquestionable with a calf injury, and who remains the team’s second offensive option despite a subpar start to the season.