NBA Cup Semifinals Preview

Last Updated on Dezembro 12, 2025 4:15 pm by Erwin Noguera

The NBA Cup semifinals are coming, featuring four great teams fighting for a spot in next Tuesday’s final in Las Vegas.

In the first matchup, we’ll have the two best teams in the Eastern Conference, with the Orlando Magic facing the New York Knicks.

Meanwhile, in the West, the reigning NBA champions and last year’s NBA Cup finalists, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will take on the San Antonio Spurs.

No Troca de Gambila, you can explore all NBA predictions, the final bets for this matchday, and the odds for each match.

NBA Cup Semifinals: Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks

The Orlando Magic reached this semifinal after winning all four games in the group stage, including one against the Boston Celtics, and defeating their in-state rival, the Miami Heat, 117–108 in the quarterfinals.

It was a tremendous game from Desmond Bane. The shooting guard recorded 37 points, six rebounds, and five assists, matching his highest point total with the Magic, which he had achieved in two previous games. Even more impressive considering he scored just two points in the first quarter. Paolo Banchero has already shown he’s fully recovered from his injury and had a solid night, playing 32 minutes with 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

On the Knicks’ side, they finished the group stage with a 3–1 record and eliminated the Toronto Raptors with a 101–117 win in Canada.

Jalen Brunson led the team with a strong performance of 35 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Brunson has now recorded three straight games with 30+ points and is averaging 28 per game this season.

Magic vs. Knicks Betting Pick: Knicks

NBA Cup Semifinals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder want to be able to say they are the reigning champions of both the NBA and the NBA Cup. They were actually close to doing so last year, but they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the final of this tournament.

Now they’re chasing the title again, after finishing 4–0 in their group and eliminating the Phoenix Suns with a humiliating 138–89 win.

It’s been an incredible season for them: they’ve won 24 games and lost only one, on November 5 against the Portland Trail Blazers by just two points. This is the best start to a season by any team in NBA history, tying the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors. They’re one win away from surpassing them.

Against the Suns, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points (73.3% shooting) while Chet Holmgren added 24 (69.2% shooting). It’s worth noting that all starters rested in the fourth quarter. The Canadian star is averaging 32.8 points this season.

On the San Antonio Spurs’ side, they topped their group with a 3–1 record and eliminated the Lakers in Los Angeles with a 119–132 victory in the quarterfinals.

Shooting guard Stephon Castle put on the hero cape, delivering 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists to carry his team despite not having their star Victor Wembanyama, who has been injured since November 14. The French is expected to return this Saturday, but he may lack rhythm.

San Antonio has followed a repeating pattern this season in its last nine games: a loss followed by two wins, a loss followed by two wins, a loss followed by two wins. They currently enter this game on a two-game winning streak.

Thunder vs. Spurs Betting Pick: Thunder