The NBA Cup was designed to inject some drama and increase the stakes to the middle of the regular season. For reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Cup has also proven to be some effective playoff preparation for the young Thunder.

Oklahoma City hadn't lost in nearly six weeks before Saturday night, but is still in great shape to challenge the Warriors' NBA record.

Brian Windhorst reveals he’s already made NBA Finals dinner reservations in Oklahoma City as Thunder dominance continues.

"At this point, Denver is the only team I can see beating the Thunder four times in seven games," NBA analyst Zach Lowe frankly put it. With a revamped system and improved roster,

Oklahoma City, the reigning champs and a heavy preseason favorite to repeat, are a massive +125 favorite to win the NBA Finals for a second straight season.

In Game 4 of the 2000 Finals, Kobe Bryant played 47 minutes and scored 28 points to beat the Pacers in overtime. In Game 1 of the 2001 Finals, Allen Iverson executed one of the most memorable plays in history.

The Thunder lost their second game of the season to the Spurs Saturday night, eliminating them from the NBA Cup.

There will be no NBA Cup this season for the reigning NBA champions, whose 16-game winning streak ended in a 111-109 loss to San Antonio in the tournament semifinals Saturday night. The Thunder are 24-2, with both losses by two points.