NBA Cup — Game Night Preview & Predictions
11 games. Full slate. Expert predictions with confidence ratings.
Friday, November 28, 2025
The NBA Cup continues with a massive 11-game slate on November 28, 2025, featuring crucial group play matchups that could determine tournament advancement. From Donovan Mitchell's Cavaliers facing Jalen Johnson's Hawks to the unstoppable Thunder hosting the Suns, every game carries playoff-like intensity. With several teams fighting for Cup survival and others looking to secure knockout round spots, Friday night delivers must-watch basketball across all time zones. Our expert predictions include confidence ratings to help you identify the safest bets and potential upsets.
Cavaliers (12–7 · 4–4 Away)
at
Hawks (11–8 · 3–4 Home)
7:30 PM ET
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: CLE -5.5
Total: 238.5
D. Mitchell — #45 • CLE
29.9 PPG • 4.8 RPG • 5.5 APG
J. Johnson — #1 • ATL
21.5 PPG • 9.5 RPG • 7.0 APG
Analysis: Mitchell's explosive scoring meets Johnson's triple-double versatility in a crucial East matchup. The Hawks' home court hasn't been an advantage, while Cleveland seeks road consistency. Mitchell's fourth-quarter heroics against Atlanta's balanced attack creates a classic star-versus-system battle where the Cavs' defensive discipline might prevail.
Expert Prediction
High Confidence
Cavaliers 121 - Hawks 112
Cleveland's defensive discipline and Mitchell's clutch scoring will overcome Atlanta's balanced attack. The Hawks' poor home record continues as the Cavs cover the spread.
76ers (9–8 · 4–3 Away)
at
Nets (3–14 · 0–8 Home)
7:30 PM ET
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: PHI -6.5
Total: 228.5
Tickets as low as here
Buy Tickets $22
T. Maxey — #0 • PHI
33.0 PPG • 4.6 RPG • 7.8 APG
M. Porter Jr. — #17 • BKN
24.2 PPG • 7.4 RPG • 3.0 APG
Analysis: Maxey's MVP-caliber season faces Brooklyn's struggling defense in a classic mismatch. The Nets' winless home record against Philadelphia's road competence spells trouble. Porter's scoring brilliance can't overcome Brooklyn's systemic issues as Maxey's playmaking and efficiency should dominate this one-sided affair.
Expert Prediction
High Confidence
76ers 118 - Nets 105
Philadelphia's offensive firepower and Brooklyn's defensive struggles make this a clear mismatch. Maxey's scoring outburst leads the Sixers to an easy cover.
Bulls (9–8 · 3–6 Away)
at
Hornets (4–14 · 3–6 Home)
7:30 PM ET
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: CHI -3.5
Total: 247.5
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $14
J. Giddey — #3 • CHI
20.5 PPG • 9.9 RPG • 9.5 APG
L. Ball — #1 • CHA
21.2 PPG • 6.6 RPG • 9.3 APG
Analysis: Two triple-double threats collide in a point guard duel for the ages. Giddey's near-automatic double-doubles against Ball's flashy playmaking creates must-watch basketball. Charlotte's home struggles and Chicago's road inconsistencies make this unpredictable, but Giddey's rebounding edge might be the difference in a high-scoring affair.
Expert Prediction
Medium Confidence
Bulls 124 - Hornets 119
Giddey's all-around game and Chicago's slightly better defense will prevail in a close, high-scoring contest. The game goes over the total with both point guards putting up big numbers.
Magic (11–8 · 4–5 Away)
at
Pistons (15–3 · 7–1 Home)
7:30 PM ET
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: DET -5.5
Total: 232.5
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $75
F. Wagner — #22 • ORL
22.9 PPG • 6.4 RPG • 3.9 APG
C. Cunningham — #2 • DET
27.1 PPG • 6.0 RPG • 9.6 APG
Analysis: Detroit's surprising dominance meets Orlando's disciplined approach in a clash of styles. Cunningham's MVP-level play against Wagner's efficient scoring creates an intriguing wing battle. The Pistons' formidable home record and Cunningham's playmaking give them the edge, but Orlando's defensive structure could make this closer than expected.
Expert Prediction
Medium Confidence
Pistons 115 - Magic 108
Detroit's home dominance continues as Cunningham outduels Wagner. The Pistons cover but Orlando's defense keeps it closer than the spread suggests.
Wizards (2–15 · 1–9 Away)
at
Pacers (2–16 · 2–6 Home)
7:30 PM ET
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: IND -6.5
Total: 238.5
Prime Video
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $9.9
A. Sarr — #20 • WSH
18.7 PPG • 8.5 RPG • 3.4 APG
P. Siakam — #43 • IND
24.8 PPG • 7.1 RPG • 4.8 APG
Analysis: Two struggling franchises collide in a battle for Cup pride and momentum. Sarr's rookie emergence against Siakam's veteran savvy creates an intriguing frontcourt matchup. Despite both teams' poor records, Indiana's home advantage and Siakam's playoff experience might provide the slight edge in what could be an unexpectedly competitive game.
Expert Prediction
Low Confidence
Pacers 112 - Wizards 109
In a battle of struggling teams, Siakam's experience gives Indiana the slight edge. The game stays close with Washington covering the spread in a competitive matchup.
Bucks (8–11 · 3–5 Away)
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Knicks (11–6 · 8–1 Home)
7:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: NY -7.5
Total: 234.5
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $309
R. Rollins — #13 • MIL
18.2 PPG • 4.0 RPG • 6.0 APG
J. Brunson — #11 • NY
28.3 PPG • 3.4 RPG • 6.5 APG
Analysis: Brunson's Knicks fortress at MSG faces a struggling Bucks team in a classic David vs. Goliath scenario. Rollins' development against Brunson's All-Star caliber play creates a compelling guard matchup. New York's incredible home dominance and Brunson's clutch scoring should overwhelm Milwaukee's inconsistent defense in what could be a statement win.
Expert Prediction
High Confidence
Knicks 118 - Bucks 105
New York's home dominance continues as Brunson outclasses Rollins. The Knicks cover the spread comfortably in a statement Cup victory.
Suns (12–7 · 4–4 Away)
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Thunder (18–1 · 9–0 Home)
9:30 PM ET
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: Not available
Total: Not available
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $82.5
D. Booker — #1 • PHX
26.4 PPG • 4.1 RPG • 6.9 APG
S. Gilgeous-Alexander — #2 • OKC
32.2 PPG • 4.9 RPG • 6.6 APG
Analysis: The unstoppable Thunder machine faces Booker's Suns in the night's premier matchup. SGA's MVP campaign against Booker's scoring prowess creates a superstar showdown for the ages. Oklahoma City's historic start and perfect home record, combined with their defensive discipline, should withstand Phoenix's offensive firepower in a potential playoff preview.
Expert Prediction
High Confidence
Thunder 116 - Suns 108
Oklahoma City's historic run continues as their defense contains Booker. SGA outduels the Suns' star in a statement win that solidifies their Cup favorite status.
Spurs (12–5 · 4–3 Away)
at
Nuggets (13–4 · 6–2 Home)
9:30 PM MT
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: Not available
Total: Not available
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $104.5
D. Fox — #4 • SA
23.5 PPG • 3.6 RPG • 6.1 APG
N. Jokić — #15 • DEN
29.6 PPG • 12.8 RPG • 11.1 APG
Analysis: Jokić's triple-double machine faces a disciplined Spurs team. Fox's speed challenges Denver's bigs, but Jokić dictates tempo in the paint. In a chess match of styles, the Nuggets' experience and altitude edge it against San Antonio's surprising resurgence in a battle of Western Conference heavyweights.
Expert Prediction
Medium Confidence
Nuggets 122 - Spurs 115
Jokić's dominance in the paint and Denver's altitude advantage prove too much for the Spurs. Fox keeps it competitive but the Nuggets pull away late.
Kings (5–14 · 2–8 Away)
at
Jazz (5–12 · 4–5 Home)
10:00 PM MT
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: Not available
Total: Not available
Prime Video
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $7.7
K. Murray — #13 • SAC
18.7 PPG • 7.3 RPG • 1.3 APG
L. Markkanen — #23 • UTAH
29.2 PPG • 6.1 RPG • 2.1 APG
Analysis: Two struggling teams seek Cup redemption in a battle of underachieving franchises. Markkanen's scoring brilliance against Murray's two-way versatility creates an intriguing forward matchup. Utah's home court advantage and Markkanen's offensive explosion might be too much for Sacramento's inconsistent defense in what could be a surprisingly high-scoring affair.
Expert Prediction
Low Confidence
Jazz 118 - Kings 112
Markkanen's scoring outburst and Utah's home court give them the edge in a close game between struggling teams. The game goes over with both offenses finding rhythm.
Mavericks (5–14 · 1–4 Away)
at
Lakers (13–4 · 5–2 Home)
10:00 PM PT
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: LAL -10.5
Total: 230.5
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $205.7
C. Flagg — #32 • DAL
15.9 PPG • 6.4 RPG • 3.1 APG
L. Dončić — #77 • LAL
35.2 PPG • 8.8 RPG • 9.2 APG
Analysis: Dončić's MVP-level dominance with the Lakers faces rookie Flagg's Mavericks in a dramatic role reversal. The Slovenian superstar's historic numbers against the highly-touted rookie creates a fascinating narrative. Los Angeles' home court and Dončić's triple-double threat should overwhelm Dallas' rebuilding effort, making this a potential statement game for the Lakers' Cup aspirations.
Expert Prediction
High Confidence
Lakers 125 - Mavericks 108
Dončić dominates his former team with a triple-double performance. The Lakers cover the large spread as their offensive firepower overwhelms Dallas' defense.
Grizzlies (7–12 · 3–6 Away)
at
Clippers (5–13 · 3–5 Home)
10:00 PM PT
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
NBA Cup - Group Play
Spread: LAC -6.5
Total: 227.5
Tickets as low as
Buy Tickets $51
J. Jackson Jr. — #8 • MEM
17.8 PPG • 5.3 RPG • 1.6 APG
J. Harden — #1 • LAC
27.8 PPG • 5.8 RPG • 8.4 APG
Analysis: Harden's vintage playmaking meets Jackson's defensive prowess in a battle of contrasting styles. The veteran's scoring and distribution against the young star's two-way impact creates an intriguing matchup. Despite both teams' struggles, the Clippers' home court and Harden's experience might provide the edge in what could be a closer game than records suggest.
Expert Prediction
Medium Confidence
Clippers 114 - Grizzlies 110
Harden's playmaking and LA's home court give them the edge in a tight game. Memphis covers the spread but falls short in a competitive matchup.
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