The NBA Cup’s second Friday features nine more Group Play games, with each result affecting both the group standings and the push for a place in the knockout rounds. Teams have only four games in this stage, so there isn’t much room to recover from a loss.
The 30 teams are divided into six groups of five. Each plays the other teams in its group once. The six group winners and one wild-card team from each conference move on, with the knockout rounds beginning Dec. 4. The final is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Even this early in the season, a defeat can put a team’s Cup hopes in trouble.
LeBron James points (higher) | 76ers at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. ET: James returns to Cleveland wearing a Philadelphia uniform. The 76ers are in a demanding East Group B alongside the defending champion Knicks, Miami and Indiana. It should be an emotional night in a city that has watched him for years, and he could have a big role in the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander points (higher) | Thunder at Grizzlies, 8:00 p.m. ET: Oklahoma City has been missing Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace, leaving Gilgeous-Alexander with more responsibility on offense. The Thunder are on the road in a closely contested West Group B, where they’ll need a strong performance from their leading scorer.
Victor Wembanyama rebounds (higher) | Spurs at Kings, 10:00 p.m. ET: Wembanyama worked on his post game during the offseason, but his rebounding remains a major part of his impact. San Antonio faces a competitive West Group C that also includes the Lakers, Warriors and Trail Blazers.
Luka Dončić assists (higher) | Trail Blazers at Lakers, 10:00 p.m. ET: Dončić is directing the Lakers’ offense, giving Portland a difficult choice: focus on limiting his scoring or try to disrupt his passing. His playmaking could be especially important in this matchup.
