NBA Cup Preview || East Preview
Edition #188
Intro:
We continue our series of venturing into the NBA Cup! This time, we’re looking at the 3 groups in the East!
Note:
We’re heading towards the completion of 200 editions. I’ll be heading a Q&A session, just like I did when we hit 150. I’m thinking on November 23rd. Give me a time in the poll, or in the chat.
West Group A:
The Knicks, Magic, 76ers, Nets, and Hornets all play in this group. You have Jalen Brunson, Paolo Banchero, Joel Embiid, Nic Claxton, and Lamelo Ball.
Fun Fact: The Nets went 3-1 in the competition last year, and Orlando and Brooklyn were in the same group as the Knicks.
These teams are all incredibly interesting in their way. For one, you have the Knicks who added Karl Anthony-Towns and Mikal Bridges, to help supplement Jalen Brunson, and this Knicks team, who for some reason exit in the 2nd round of the playoffs last year.
This 76ers team added Paul George in the offseason, thinking that their three superstars, Tyrese Maxey, Embiid, and George would play together. Instead, they haven’t played a minute together, because George was injured until November 4th, Embiid is serving a 3-game suspension and hasn’t played a minute this season. Then you have Maxey, who might not even play the NBA Cup because of his hamstring injury that is set to keep him out for multiple weeks!
Moving on from the Sixers, the Magic were on a roll, but 2 days after Paolo had his first 50-point game, he suffered a torn oblique, which could keep him out of playing in the NBA Cup. This team had a real shot, but it got ruined.
Now to the 2 teams that aren't expected to do much.
You have the Nets with Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas and the Hornets with a roster of young talent. As of November 9th, the Hornets are in 4th place with a 4-5 record (one of the biggest surprises of the season), and the Nets are in 9th place with a 2-6 record! Of course, the East will even out a bit, but even this early in the season, it’s surprising to see rebuilding teams like the Nets and the Hornets do well.
It’s pretty obvious. The 76ers are in hell right now with injuries. Same with the Magic. The Hornets and Nets are good, but they cannot beat the Knicks if they play top-notch basketball. I have the Knicks advancing.
East Group B:
The Bucks, Pacers, Heat, Raptors, and Pistons are all in this division. You have Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, Jimmy Butler, Scottie Barnes, and Cade Cunningham.
Fun Fact: The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks have been recent rivals, and they’ll be revisiting that in the NBA Cup. They faced each other in the NBA Cup Semis and the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs. The Indiana Pacers have won both times.
You have the Indiana Pacers, the NBA Cup runner-ups from last year. This is a young team, and they were on a bright stage. I believe that with the experience they got from the finals last year, they could be huge contenders for that cup, even with the meh start for the Pacers.
Next, the Heat. They’re 3-5 this season and all their losses have been against great teams. Losses: the Knicks, Magic, Kings, Nuggets, and Suns. The only real contenders in this division would be the Pacers. Can the Heat beat them?
Guess what? The Bucks are in 14th place in the Heat, just in front of the 76ers. They’ve lost against the Bulls, Nets, Celtics (2x), Grizzlies, Cavaliers (2x), and Knicks. Hard teams for sure, but when you have guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, you should be winning against teams like the Bulls, Nets, and Grizzlies. I don’t have huge hopes for them in the NBA Cup unless they can find a way to squeak something out.
The Raptors are tied with the Bucks for the same record, but this is a rebuilding year for them. Why expect them to win?
Finally, the Pistons. Things are looking up for them, especially with a 4-7 record right now. Cade Cunningham is doing well, averaging 23.1 PPG with 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists. I don’t expect them to win the NBA Cup immediately, but I promise you that this team will win this cup in 2 years.
Ah well. I have the Pacers connecting and winning the group.
East Group C:
The Celtics, Cavaliers, Hawks, Bulls, and Wizards are all in this group, which has Jayson Tatum, Evan Mobley, Trae Young, Zach LaVine, and Jordan Poole.
I mean, take a look at this group. You have the defending champs, the undefeated wonders, a team that had the #1 pick, an okay team, and the rebuilding Wizards.
Starting with the Celtics, they can be the first team that has played in two championship games in one year. They won the 2023-24 NBA Finals and could win the NBA Cup. Do you know one team who can contend with this team?
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who as of November 9th, is 11-0. The last team to go 11-0, would be the record-setting Golden State Warriors team. They now have a new coach and resigned some of their biggest players.
The Atlanta Hawks just don’t seem like a rebuilding team to me, however you put it. Unfortunately, they’re in 11th place and traded away Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, eventually cementing their status as a rebuilding team. I don’t think there’ll be any competition from the Hawks
Then you have the Bulls, who are 6th, and Zach LaVine is quietly playing a great season. Plus you have Lonzo Ball and Josh Giddey, who are playing well. The only bad thing is that half of their losses have come against great teams, which makes me think that they won’t go far in the NBA Cup, because they’re group itself consists of two of the best teams in the NBA.
Finally, the Wizards, who are in 12th place. Jordan Poole is kinda back and you have Bilal Coulibaly contributing hugely. The Wizards are still rebuilding, so don’t panic.
Thanks for reading this one, folks! I hope you enjoyed it. Make sure to share this article with all your friends, and comment your thoughts below.
Prediction #1: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Phoenix Suns in the finals
Prediction #2: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors in the finals.
