Despite a total of 50 points from the two basketball world champions Franz and Moritz Wagner, the Orlando Magic’s winning streak in the NBA is broken. The team from Florida lost to the New York Knicks 106:121 on the final day of the group stage of the NBA Cup and had to admit defeat for the first time after six wins in a row.
Due to the defeat, the Magic also had to give up group victory to New York, but as the best group runner-up in the Eastern Conference they are still in the quarterfinals of the cup tournament. This will be played on December 10th and 11th, with Orlando then having an away game at the Milwaukee Bucks. New York hosts the Atlanta Hawks.
Franz Wagner was once again his team’s best scorer with 30 points. Brother Moritz also showed a strong performance and set a personal season best with 20 points and twelve rebounds in both categories. The Knicks’ best player in points was Karl-Anthony Towns with 23 points.
Hartenstein and Oklahoma also in the quarterfinals
The Oklahoma City Thunder with Isaiah Hartenstein are also in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. »OKC« easily won its home game against the Utah Jazz with 133:106 and thus secured first place in Group B in the Western Conference. The opponents in the quarterfinals are the Dallas Mavericks.
Hartenstein, who had recently stood out defensively, was less visible this time. The 26-year-old newcomer played 22 minutes and finished the game with four points, five rebounds and six assists. Teammate Jalen Williams was the game’s most successful player with 28 points.
Dallas continues after a tough game
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks with Maximilian Kleber had to worry about getting into the knockout round for a long time. The Texans won their home game against the Memphis Grizzlies 121:116, but were dependent on the results of later games. Ultimately, the Mavs made it to the quarterfinals as the best second group in the West.
Top star Luka Doncic stood out for Dallas with 37 points and twelve rebounds, while Kleber remained without points in ten minutes of action.
The fourth and final quarterfinals will be contested by the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors.
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