The Athletic NBA Daily — December 10, 2025

Episode Title: Knicks and Magic advance to NBA Cup Semifinals
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Wes Goldberg, S (Raptors/Knicks Analyst), Andrew Schlecht
Topic: Recap and analysis of the NBA Cup quarterfinals: Magic vs. Heat and Knicks vs. Raptors, with implications for the evolving Eastern Conference landscape.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an in-depth postgame breakdown of the NBA Cup quarterfinal double-header. The hosts dissect the Orlando Magic’s gritty comeback win over the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks’ dominant offensive performance against the Toronto Raptors, spotlighting key players, coaching trends, and playoff implications. The conversation also pivots to wider questions—Heat cultural shifts, the Knicks’ ceiling, and looming trade rumors swirling around superstar movement.

Magic Outmuscle Heat: Recap & Analysis

Segment Starts: 02:31

Key Points

• Orlando Magic Defeat Miami Heat 117–108 — Advance to Las Vegas
  • Orlando’s identity of toughness returns after a slow start to the season.
  • Magic now 3–0 versus the Heat on the year.
  • Game flip: Miami started in firm control before the Magic's bench and Desmond Bane took command.

Defensive Identity Reclaimed

• “They weren’t playing with that level of physicality, that snot factor that they had last year…that's back, man.” — Wes Goldberg (03:16)
• Jonathan Isaac’s defensive presence “really helped them…especially in second and third quarters.” — Dave DuFour (04:18)

Desmond Bane: Game-Changer

• Bane’s fit described as “hand in glove” for the Magic:
  • “They now have a guy who could be their best offensive player on any given night…where they didn’t have that over the last few years.” — Wes Goldberg (05:24)
  • Bane’s hot hand: 37 points with 6/9 from three, dominated the fourth quarter.
• “By the fourth quarter he had that Heat defense in a blender.” — Wes Goldberg (07:41)

Magic’s Newfound Offensive Geometry

• Bane’s shooting “opens up these slip cuts for guys like Wendell Carter Jr.” and others (07:48)
• Magic’s resilience amid injuries: “With Bane, they have a guy who, like tonight, can go off for 37 points and say, ‘I got us.’” — Wes Goldberg (06:26)

Miami’s Struggles

• Heat started scorching, then cooled drastically (8-33 from three):
  • “If you want to know the story of the game, just peep the box score…they just did not make shots.” — Dave DuFour (08:26)
  • Heat primary shooters Tyler Herro and Simone Fontecchio combine to go 0 for 9 from deep.

Heat’s New Look: Joyful, Fast-Paced, But Flawed

• “There’s a shot selection issue happening…the good and great look is worth it, especially down the stretch.” — Dave DuFour (10:20)
• The Heat are playing with pace and joy unseen in recent Butler-led years:
  • “This team is so fun to watch…there was a lack of joy last year that was palpable.” — Wes Goldberg (13:55)

Heat's Culture & Future Moves

• Potential trade watch, referencing longtime rumors:
  • “The number one name’s gotta be Giannis…everybody’s in a holding pattern until we find out if Giannis is going to hit the big red button or not.” — Wes Goldberg (16:13)

Notable Quote

• On Miami’s new identity:
  • “This is a young team…built through the draft with a lot of athletes now. And this is the way that this roster ought to play.” — Wes Goldberg (13:55)

Knicks Dominate Raptors to Reach Semis

Segment Starts: 21:36

Knicks’ Offense Surges, Toronto Wanes

• “The Knicks offense is just on another level when it is locked in like they were last night. Jalen Brunson was amazing.” — Dave DuFour (22:04)
• “They were dominant offensively…I mean they carved up the Raptors. Jalen Brunson, sensational in the first quarter…there isn’t a guy in the NBA I would trust guarding Jalen Brunson.” — S (22:11)

Standout Performer: Jalen Brunson

• Brunson erupts for 20+ in the first quarter, responding to heckling fans.
  • “There was a Raptors fan sitting courtside…He was yelling at Brunson…and Brunson was yelling back…and scored like 20 or 23 in the first quarter. I think that was a bad idea by that fan.” — S (33:37)
• “Is this the most scary guy you’ve ever seen in fourth quarters in NBA history? It’s him or Isaiah Thomas.” — Dave DuFour (31:06)
• “Of the guards in the NBA, it’s him, Shai, and Steph…You just don’t know what to do anymore.” — S (31:08)

Supporting Cast & System

• Karl-Anthony Towns: “Picking apart Jakob Pörtel…putting pressure as a three point shooter, but also attacking closeouts.” — S (22:47)
• Josh Hart’s surprise sniper run since hand surgery
• OG Anunoby’s return and defensive impact, described as a “one man wrecking crew” that changed the game for Scottie Barnes and the Raptors’ offense (28:26)
• Knicks’ improved versatility: Comfortable with Towns switching due to elite help defense from OG, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart.

Knicks' Ceiling as Contenders

• “Live by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and for all intents and purposes, you will die by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.” — S (30:33)
• Knicks viewed as front-runners in the East, along with the Pistons:
  • “Between them and the Pistons, they are the two clear cut, best teams in the conference as of today.” — S (31:57)
• “If I had to bet right now, I would bet the Knicks to make it to the Finals. Winning the Finals is a different story.” — S (32:30)
• Discussion of moves needed to reach Thunder-level dominance and references to possible pursuit of Giannis.

Raptors’ Slide: Fatigue, Injuries, and Offensive Stagnation

Starts: 23:50

• Toronto’s “dead legs”— fatigue from seven games in 11 days, two back-to-backs (25:21)
• Loss of RJ Barrett (only consistent paint attacker) and Jakob Pörtel’s ongoing back issue highlighted as crippling factors
• Overreliance on Brandon Ingram
• “They need a defensive anchor center…would make everyone’s job easier, allow Scottie Barnes to be completely unlocked.” — Dave DuFour (27:22)
• Rumors: Raptors potentially in the Anthony Davis trade market

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “This is a team that is rallying in the wake of all of that [Butler’s exit], for sure, but also is enjoying the process of learning this new scheme and playing up tempo.” — Wes Goldberg on Heat (13:55)
• “Three and oh against the Miami Heat so far this season. And a lot of the games have looked like this.” — Wes Goldberg (03:43)
• “Karl Anthony Towns picked him [Pörtel] apart, but the Knicks defense overall picked him apart too…they tried to camp him onto Josh Hart. And then Josh Hart started hitting threes and getting to the basket.” — S (26:38)
• “This should be a Finals team. There’s nothing that stops them.” — Dave DuFour on the 2025 Knicks (32:12)
• “Don’t talk trash to NBA players. It doesn’t work out.” — Dave DuFour (34:08)

Timestamps

• Magic-Heat analysis start: 02:31
• Desmond Bane’s fourth quarter run: 06:42–07:48
• Heat’s pace, culture, and trade rumors: 10:16–17:25
• Knicks-Raptors analysis start: 21:36
• Jalen Brunson first quarter exploit & Raptors fan moment: 33:37

Tone & Style

The episode is punchy, conversational, and analytical, mixing tactical X's & O's with storylines, trade talk, and fan culture. The analysts are enthusiastic about young talent, candid about team deficiencies, and unafraid to critique when warranted.

Conclusion

This recap episode captures two teams—Orlando and New York—emerging as Eastern Conference heavyweights with resilient, evolving systems. The Magic have recaptured their defensive mojo and injected offensive firepower with Desmond Bane, while the Knicks’ dazzling offense and retooled defense (with OG Anunoby back) make them “Finals or bust.” The Heat’s new up-tempo personality and the Raptors’ midseason turbulence round out a snapshot of an Eastern Conference in flux.

For more insights and weekend analysis, tune in to Saturday Slam n’ Jam with Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears.