Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The Toronto Raptors became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup on Friday, motoring into the last eight with a dominant 140-110 defeat of the Washington Wizards. RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram scored 24 points apiece as the Raptors extended their perfect start to the NBA’s mid-season tournament.
But while Toronto moved on to the next round, the Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Utah Jazz were all left heading for the exit. Indiana — beaten in last year’s NBA Finals — were eliminated after losing 120-109 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The defeat marked another gloomy episode in the Pacers’ dismal start to the season, which has left them with two wins from 16 games.
The Pelicans saw their cup campaign come to an abrupt end after a 118-115 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks. A see-saw contest in Dallas that saw the lead change hands 17 times was settled after a second-half fightback by the Mavericks, who recovered from a 15-point deficit to win. The Mavericks’ No.1 Draft pick Cooper Flagg excelled with 29 points while P.J. Washington added 24 and Max Christie 23.
Utah exited after a wild game against the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Jazz led by 18 points in a blistering first-quarter performance before a familiar late onslaught by the Thunder carried the champions to a 144-112 victory. Oklahoma City poured in 77 points in the second half, turning the game on its head with a 43-point third quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points to steer the Thunder to victory on a night when eight players finished in double figures.
© 2024 AFP
