Orlando vs Detroit, OKC vs Suns: NBA Cup Showdowns

Merlin sees Friday as the decisive night of the NBA Cup group stage: three groups are decided directly by head-to-head matchups — Orlando vs. Detroit (East B), OKC vs. Phoenix (West A) and Denver vs. San Antonio (West C). East Group C hinges on Knicks-Bucks at MSG (a Knicks win gives New York the group; a Milwaukee road win hands it to Miami). The remaining wild-card spots and hosting rights come down to a few tight point-differential calculations — Cleveland needs a big win over Atlanta to climb into contention, while Phoenix must protect its +35 cushion against Memphis and the Clippers. Merlin senses chaos in the small margins. One basket swings a group, and home-court fate for quarterfinals could turn on point totals more than headlines. Expect cautious coaching, late-game fouls and desperate offense as teams defend their Cup lives.