The NBA Cup quarter-finals are set to begin on Tuesday, with Miami facing Orlando and New York taking on Toronto. But before we dive into the action, let's take a look at some of the key games from the final tune-ups for the Cup showdowns. The Phoenix Suns, without their top scorer Devin Booker due to a groin injury, improved to 14-10 by snapping the Timberwolves' five-game win streak. Mark Williams scored 22 points to top the six double-digit scorers for the Suns. The San Antonio Spurs, still without their French star Victor Wembanyama due to a left calf strain, got 24 points from Harrison Barnes and 22 from reserve Dylan Harper to defeat the host Pelicans. The Suns and Spurs won their final tune-ups ahead of the NBA Cup quarter-final games on Wednesday, with San Antonio facing the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix taking on Oklahoma City. The host Thunder, with an NBA-best 23-1 record, will try to stretch their 15-game overall win streak. At Phoenix, the Suns also had 19 points from Collin Gillespie and 18 from Dillon Brooks, who was nagged by a sore left Achilles tendon. An inside shot by Edwards with 8.9 seconds remaining lifted Minnesota within 106-105, but Gillespie hit two free throws with 6.3 seconds to play and Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels missed a tying three-point shot to seal the Timberwolves' fate. At New Orleans, Harper's layup with 9.1 seconds remaining lifted San Antonio ahead 133-132. Derik Queen, who delivered a triple double of 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for New Orleans, missed a jumper with 3.8 seconds remaining then fouled De'Aaron Fox, who sank two final free throws. Saddiq Bey missed a potential tying three-pointer at the buzzer as the NBA-worst Pelicans fell to 3-22 with their seventh loss in a row. San Antonio guard Stephon Castle, who missed the past three weeks with a hip injury, made his return and contributed 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists. In Monday's only other game, the Indiana Pacers beat visiting Sacramento 116-105. Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 28 points and 12 assists while Bennedict Mathurin added 25 points and Pascal Siakam had 23. Russell Westbrook had a triple double for the Kings with 24 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds. But here's where it gets controversial... The NBA Cup quarter-finals are set to begin on Tuesday, but some are questioning whether the format is fair. The top teams in the league are favored to win, and the format doesn't give underdogs a fair chance. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
