The Nuggets benefitted from one of their replacement games after the NBA Cup last season. Their task this week is to prevent Houston from taking advantage of a lucky draw.

The Magic, Heat, Raptors, Suns and Spurs will round out the mini-tournament. It seems like Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the NBA Cup, but MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be back for Oklahoma City soon.

Oklahoma City, the reigning champs and a heavy preseason favorite to repeat, are a massive +125 favorite to win the NBA Finals for a second straight season.

Jaylen Brown locks up Luka Doncic in Game 5 to seal the Bill Russell trophy as 2024 NBA Finals MVP.

The NBA Cup was designed to inject some drama and increase the stakes to the middle of the regular season. For reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Cup has also proven to be some effective playoff preparation for the young Thunder.

The Boston Celtics (15-10) will reach the 2026 NBA Finals if Jayson Tatum joins the squad for a playoff run, predicts DeMarcus Cousins. The post Celtics Predicted to Reach NBA Finals Under One Condition appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The finale of the NBA's in-season tournament is set, with two high-profile squads meeting in the NBA Cup championship.

"Ben was fighting so hard that he blew through his shoe, trying to resist, literally trying to resist Shaq backing down. It was the craziest thing. He actually blew through his shoe," recalled the 2004 Finals MVP.