Orlando Beats Boston for East Wildcard, Meets Milwaukee in KO Round Quarters
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Dec 2024
Despite losing its last game to New York Knicks for Group A honors, the Orlando Magic still advanced to the KO quarterfinal round of the Emirates NBA Cup by virtue of superior points differential over Group C runner up Boston Celtics.
Starting the day with a plus 60 points differential, the Magic lost to the Knicks by fifteen, 121-106 to emerge with a final points differential of plus 45 which is better than Boston's plus 23.
The Magic had to lose by 37 points or more for Boston to advance and that was a possibility when the Knicks led by 37 in the third quarter. However, Orlando rallied in the last quarter to cut the margin to what it was in the final buzzer.
Taking advantage of the absence of Magic All-Stars Paolo Banchero, the Knicks immediately raced to huge leads and threatened to break the game wide open up to the third quarter through the hot shooting of Karl Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
However, as in the recent games, the versatile Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz and Jalen Sugg helped carry the cause of the Magic though the Knicks lead proved too huge to overcome given the remaining time.
The Magic will play Group B winner Milwaukee Bucks in their KO round in Milwaukee.
In the meeting of unbeatens, Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Detroit Pistons, 128-107 with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combining for 55 points.
Meanwhile, the Knicks, the Group A winner will host Group C winner Atlanta Hawks in their own KO quarterfinal round. The Hawks edged Boston in the Cup group play opener.
The winners of the KO round will meet to determine the Eastern Conference top team to play the Western Conference top team to crown the Emirates NBA Cup champion in the Finals set in Las Vegas on December 17.
The group stage and the KO round games count in the regular season standing in the East led by the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3).
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 27 Jan 2026Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
Tue, 27 Jan 2026David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 27 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
By Eric Armit, Mon, 26 Jan 2026MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 26 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 26 Jan 2026Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
Mon, 26 Jan 2026Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 24 Jan 2026NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026