NBA Group Play Recap - We Never Stop

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Friday night was packed with NBA Cup Group Play action across the league, highlighted by several marquee matchups, many of which featured significant injury news.

Here is a more detailed recap based on the available game results and news:

Eastern Conference Highlights

Milwaukee Bucks Edge Chicago Bulls (NBA Cup Group Play)

The reigning Cup champions, the Bucks, opened with a win against a surprisingly strong Bulls team.

Final Score: Bucks 126, Bulls 110
Key Performer: Giannis Antetokounmpo was sensational with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists. He sealed the game by scoring 19 points in the decisive fourth quarter.
Team Notes: Bucks’ Myles Turner added 23 points. The Bulls’ Josh Giddey had a near triple-double. The Bucks extended their perfect group-stage record to 9-0 in the three-year history of the Cup.

Miami Heat Set Record in Win Over Hornets (NBA Cup Group Play)

The Heat got a much-needed win, marked by an unbelievable start.

Final Score: Heat 126, Hornets 108
Record Start: Miami erupted for a franchise-record 53 points in the first quarter (the second-highest scoring first quarter in NBA history).
Key Performers: Norman Powell led Miami with 25 points, while rookie Kon Knueppel had a career-high 30 for the Hornets.
Drama: After leading by 26 in the second, the Hornets stormed back with a 27-2 run to make it close, but the Heat pulled away in the fourth.
Injury Impact: Both teams were heavily impacted by injuries, with Miami missing Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

Orlando Magic Defeat Short-Handed Boston Celtics (NBA Cup Group Play)

The Magic took advantage of significant absences on the Celtics’ side.

Final Score: Magic 123, Celtics 110
Celtics Void: Boston was playing without Jayson Tatum (out due to Achilles repair).
Key Performers: Franz Wagner led Orlando with 27 points, while Desmond Bane added 22. For the shorthanded Celtics, Jaylen Brown scored 32 points, and Payton Pritchard added 27.

Detroit Pistons Cruise Past Brooklyn Nets (NBA Cup Group Play)

The Pistons continued their strong start to the season.

Final Score: Pistons 125, Nets 107
Key Performers: Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 34 points and 10 assists, while Jalen Duren added a double-double (30 points, 11 rebounds).

Western Conference Showdowns

Denver Nuggets Dominate Golden State Warriors (NBA Cup Group Play)

The reigning champions easily handled a severely depleted Warriors squad.

Final Score: Nuggets 129, Warriors 104
Key Absence: The Warriors were playing without Stephen Curry (illness).
Nuggets Control: Denver took the lead early and never looked back, led by strong performances from Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.

San Antonio Spurs Edge Houston Rockets (NBA Cup Group Play)

The Spurs opened their Cup schedule with a win over the streaking Rockets.

Final Score: Spurs 121, Rockets 110
Key Performers: Harrison Barnes (24 points), Julian Champagnie (22), and Victor Wembanyama (22) powered the Spurs’ victory. Houston saw its five-game winning streak snapped despite 24 points from Kevin Durant.