Coast-to-Coast: Bucks open NBA Cup title defense in style, Raptors first to go 2-0 in group play

Defending NBA Cup champions Milwaukee Bucks jumpstarted their title defense on a high note, while the Toronto Raptors notched back-to-back wins to start group play in a packed 11-game NBA slate on Saturday (PH time).

BUCKS START NBA CUP TITLE DEFENSE; RAPTORS OFF TO 2-0 START IN GROUP PLAY 

• Milwaukee Bucks (6-3) def. Chicago Bulls (6-2), 126-110: Giannis Antetokounmpo went off with 41 points as the Bucks opened their NBA Cup title defense with a convincing win against the Bulls.

Milwaukee now improved to 9-0 in the NBA Cup's group play stage during the event's three-year history.

• Toronto Raptors (5-4) def. Atlanta Hawks (4-5), 109-97: Brandon Ingram and the Raptors became the first team to go 2-0 in NBA Cup play this year after rallying past the Hawks. 

• Minnesota Timberwolves (5-4) def. Utah Jazz (3-6), 137-97: Anthony Edwards exploded for 37 points in just 26 minutes in a 40-point Timberwolves shellacking of the Jazz in West Group A action. 

• Detroit Pistons (7-2) def. Brooklyn Nets (4-6), 125-107: Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each dropped a 30-piece that lifted the Pistons to a winning NBA Cup opener over the Nets. 

• Cleveland Cavaliers (6-3) def. Washington Wizards (1-8), 148-114: Donovan Mitchell’s 24 points paced seven Cavaliers in double figures for a dominant 34-point rout of the Wizards.

With the win, Cleveland bounced back from its first NBA Cup loss and now sits at 1–1 in East Group A.

• Orlando Magic (4-5) def. Boston Celtics (4-6), 123-110: Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane combined for 49 points, propelling the Orlando Magic past the Boston Celtics to secure their first NBA Cup win.

• Miami Heat (5-4) def. Charlotte Hornets (3-6), 126-108: The Heat exploded for 53 first-quarter points en route to a commanding triumph at expense of the Hornets in East Group C action. 

• Memphis Grizzlies (4-6) def. Dallas Mavericks (2-7), 118-104: Ja Morant’s 21-point, 13-assist double-double guided the Grizzlies past the Mavericks to pick up their first NBA Cup win. 

• San Antonio Spurs (6-2) def. Houston Rockets (5-3), 121-110: Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie spearheaded the Spurs three-point assault over the Rockets to bag its maiden NBA Cup win. 

[ALSO READ: Hot-shooting Spurs cool off Kevin Durant, Rockets to claim first NBA Cup victory]

• Denver Nuggets (6-2) def. Golden State Warriors (5-5), 129-104: Nikola Jokic put up an all-round performance of 25 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists to keep the Nuggets unbeaten at home this season at 5-0.  

[ALSO READ: Jokic, Nuggets roll to 5-0 start at home after dominating Curry-less Warriors in NBA Cup]

• OKC Thunder (9-1) def. Sacramento Kings (3-6), 132-101: Isaiah Hartenstein exploded for a career-high 33 points along with 19 rebounds in a commanding Thunder performance over the Kings in West Group A play. 
  

—

Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.