6 ECF Teams in The Hunt For Wild Card Spot in 2025 NBA Cup Knockouts Ft. Pistons, Knicks

This Friday marks the last playdate of the Emirates NBA Cup group play, and in the Eastern Conference, several teams are still in the running. The only team that has secured its spot in the knockout quarterfinals, which takes place on December 9 and 10, is the undefeated Toronto Raptors (4-0) in Group A.

As for Groups B and C, the top teams will be decided by a couple of games on Friday. In each group, the team with the best record will move on to the quarterfinals, while the wild card spot will go to the team with the best record in Group Play games that clinched the second spot in its group.

Here are the teams that can claim the wild card spot in the East.

6 ECF teams in the hunt for wild card spot in 2025 NBA Cup knockouts

Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers - Source: Imagn

In Group A, only the Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1) stand a chance to possibly contend with the second seed of other groups. If the Cavs win their last group play matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, they'll go up 3-1 and put themselves in good position for the wild card. Earlier this month, Cleveland defeated Atlanta 117-109, and they're hoping to replicate this victory.

Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons

NBA: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons - Source: Imagn

Huge stakes are set for the matchup between the Orlando Magic (3-0) and the Detroit Pistons (2-1). The winner of this game will clinch an outright spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, while the loser will have to hope that they hold an edge (such as better record, point differential, or points scored) over the eventual second seeds of Groups A and C.

In addition, the Magic will be looking to avenge a 135-116 blowout loss to Detroit on October 29, while the Pistons are looking to bounce back after their 13-game winning streak was snapped by the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat - Source: Imagn

The Miami Heat (3-1) have no more games left in group play, but they are likely rooting for the Milwaukee Bucks (2-1) to defeat the New York Knicks (2-1) on Friday. That would set up a Heat-Bucks tie, which would ultimately be won by Miami by virtue of their 106-103 victory over Milwaukee in Wednesday's Cup game.

New York Knicks

New York Knicks v Charlotte Hornets - Source: Getty

On the other hand, it will be the Knicks clinching the outright quarterfinal spot if they defeat Milwaukee at Madison Square Garden. In this scenario, the Heat would only clinch the wild card if they hold a better record or tiebreakers over the other second seeds.