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With Group Play of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup tipping off Oct. 31, we’re breaking down each group as they prepare for opening night, continuing with East Group B. The mix of teams in East Group B features playoff regulars (Boston’s 11 straight appearances is the NBA’s longest active streak, while Philadelphia’s run of seven straight appearances ended in 2025), rising contenders (Orlando and Detroit are both ascending teams powered by No. 1 picks), a developing squad (Brooklyn walked out of this year’s draft with five first round picks). What do they have in common? Nearly every team was impacted by injuries in 2024-25. In last season’s Emirates NBA Cup, three teams finished Group Play with 3-1 records (Boston, Orlando and Detroit), but it was the Magic’s point differential (+45) that earned them the East Wild Card spot over the Celtics (+23) and Pistons (+7). Keep in mind that Orlando played the entire NBA Cup without Paolo Banchero, who was out with an oblique injury. But the Magic still reached the Knockouts before being eliminated by the eventual champion Bucks in the quarterfinals. How will they fare in this season’s NBA Cup with Banchero healthy? When examining the head-to-head matchups from last season between teams in East Group B, Orlando (11-3) was the only team to win the season series against all four opponents. Boston (11-4) wasn’t far behind, while Detroit (7-6) also finished above .500. Of course, that was last season and each team here will look different entering Group Play. Teams breakdown Boston Celtics: Boston’s title defense ended in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last May following the loss of superstar Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles. In the summer, the Celtics moved on from three members of their 2024 title team – Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford – which means a new-look squad surrounding returning starters Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will enter Group Play. Brooklyn Nets: Following a 26-win season, the Nets had a busy summer. In the 2025 NBA Draft, Brooklyn emerged with five players selected in the first round, adding more young talent as they look to build for the future. In July, they acquired Michael Porter Jr. from Denver, who becomes the vet of this young squad entering his seventh season. Detroit Pistons: How will the Pistons follow up on one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NBA history? A 30-win improvement helped Detroit snap a five-year playoff drought last year. Following a first-round exit, Cade Cunningham and the Pistons will look to take the next step and join the realm of Eastern Conference contenders. Orlando Magic: After dealing with injuries to its young stars – Banchero missed 36 games, while Franz Wagner (22) and Jalen Suggs (47) also missed time – throughout the season, the Magic earned the No. 7 seed in the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament before suffering their second straight first-round exit. With good health and the addition of Desmond Bane to boost its offense, Orlando looks to rise to contender status in the East. Philadelphia 76ers: With a roster headlined by Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers entered last season with title aspirations. But those were dashed as injuries prevented that trio from sharing the court, resulting in a seven-year playoff streak being snapped. Can better health for the All-Star trio and the emergence of youngsters VJ Edgecombe and Jared McCain (who is out with a thumb injury, but should return during Group Play) help Philly start a new streak? Five games to watch Celtics at Sixers (Friday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. ET, Prime): Boston and Philadelphia have played each other 584 times (470 regular-season games, 114 playoff games) in their history. But this will mark their first meeting in the Emirates NBA Cup, giving us an early-season look at two teams predicted to finish in the Play-In by the league’s GMs. Celtics at Magic (Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass): The first meeting between these teams since the Celtics ended the Magic’s season in the first round of the 2025 Playoffs with a 4-1 series win. Boston will be without that series’ leading scorer and rebounder with Tatum (31.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg) out to open the season. Magic at Sixers (Tuesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock): Before last season, the Sixers were 14-1 in this matchup since 2020. However, the Magic took three of the four games last season. Can they continue that trend, or will the Sixers regain control? Watch Wagner, who averaged 32 ppg in three games against Philly last season. Pistons at Celtics (Wednesday, Nov. 26, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN): This is the first meeting of the season between these teams after Boston won the season series 3-1 last year behind Payton Pritchard, who hit more 3-pointers (22 on 51.2% shooting) against the Pistons than he did against any other opponent. Magic at Pistons (Friday, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass): This will be the second meeting of the season between these young teams (Oct. 29) in what could be a budding East rivalry for years to come. With a potential spot in the Knockouts on the line in the Group Play finale, this matchup could have elevated stakes. Prediction The Magic edge out the Pistons on the final night of Group Play to win the group and advance to the Knockouts for the second straight season, while Detroit stays in the mix to earn the Wild Card spot. Don’t count out Boston or Philly from getting off to a hot start this season and challenging Orlando and Detroit. But the unpredictability of Philly’s collective health and some potential growing pains for the new-look Celtics make it tough to predict them to win this early-season competition.
