The Miami Heat open their NBA Cup schedule on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers, looking to shake off a 138-117 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on November 2. That defeat left Miami with a 2-3 record in its last five games (LWWLL). The team's recent form has been inconsistent, with a high-scoring 145-125 win over the Pacers on October 30 followed by consecutive losses.
Miami finds itself in Eastern Conference Group B, a collection of teams considered by many to be the tournament's toughest. The group includes the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and defending champion New York Knicks. The Heat's all-time NBA Cup record stands at 7-6, a mark they'll need to improve upon to advance from this difficult bracket. Their next regular season game is a quick turnaround on the road against the LA Clippers on November 4.
The Heat's Cup journey starts with a familiar foe. They just beat the Pacers 145-125 on October 30, but Indiana's fortunes hinge on star guard Tyrese Haliburton. He returned from a year-long absence last week only to suffer a hamstring injury that will sideline him for two weeks. The Pacers have started the regular season 2-3 and own a 7-8 all-time Cup record. Miami must capitalize on his absence in their opening group game.
Miami hosts the Cavaliers on November 13. Cleveland added James Harden and Peyton Watson in the offseason, but their season has been defined by dramatic collapses. They blew a 22-point lead in last season's playoffs and a 29-point lead in this season's opener against Philadelphia. They are a talented 3-2 team with a solid 7-5 Cup history, but their late-game execution is a major question mark.
The revamped 76ers look like the team to beat. They swapped Paul George for Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James, Dean Wade, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Anfernee Simons. That activity has translated to a 4-1 start. Their all-time Cup record is just 5-7, but this is a new squad. The Heat travel to face this powerhouse on November 25, the night before Thanksgiving. It will be a major test of Miami's perimeter defense and ability to score in the paint.
The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA title but have stumbled to a 2-3 start this regular season. Their big offseason move was replacing center Mitchell Robinson with veteran Andre Drummond. However, they have been a different beast in the NBA Cup, compiling a dominant 13-4 all-time record in the tournament. Their championship pedigree and Cup success make them a dangerous opponent regardless of their early-season struggles. Miami's ability to control the boards and limit second-chance points will be vital in this matchup.
The Heat's path through Group B is fraught with challenges. Their own 1-5 start to the season adds pressure to perform in a tournament that rewards regular season wins. Success will require better consistency on both ends of the floor. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full Cup schedule on our schedule page.
