NBA Cup Recap: Nuggets collapse in final minute, Celtics nearly blow +24 lead - Basketball Sphere

NBA Cup Recap: Celtics Survive, Nuggets Collapse

The opening round of the NBA Cup concluded with eight teams advancing to the next stage. The most thrilling matchups featured the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, along with a dramatic finish between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.

Celtics Edge 76ers in Nail-Biter

The Celtics narrowly defeated the 76ers 109–108 in a game filled with momentum shifts. Despite building a commanding 24-point lead, Boston saw its advantage nearly erased in the closing minutes.

“The Celtics opened the game much better and took their first double-digit lead after a 16–3 run in the first quarter.”

Boston maintained control through most of the first half, extending the gap to 24 points early in the second quarter. Philadelphia answered with a 15–2 surge, narrowing the margin to 11 by halftime. In the third quarter, the 76ers cut the deficit to just two before the Celtics regained composure and rebuilt a 12-point cushion.

With three minutes to play, Boston led by ten, but a late rally from the 76ers brought the score to 109–108. The comeback fell just short, leaving the Celtics to escape with a narrow victory.

Nuggets Fall Apart Late Against Trail Blazers

The Nuggets experienced a surprising defeat against the Trail Blazers in another tense contest. Denver held a five-point lead with just a minute remaining but failed to close out, allowing Portland to snatch the win in the final moments.

Summary

The Celtics narrowly survived a comeback scare from Philadelphia, while Denver collapsed in the closing minute against Portland — two games that defined the drama of the NBA Cup’s opening stage.

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basketballsphere.com basketballsphere.com — 2025-11-02

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