LAS VEGAS — It’s as close as it gets.

No, the NBA Cup is not the same as the playoffs.

But it provides the Knicks with a valuable opportunity to gain more experience in playoff-like atmospheres.

For a game played this early in the season, they represent the only games with real elimination-type stakes on the line.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to be in that kind of playoff atmosphere and understand what’s on the line,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “And to go out there and, you know, show ourselves, again, how disciplined you need to be to win these kinds of games in the NBA Cup. And also, how important execution is. You know, and for us to reach the goals that we have for our team, you know, discipline and execution is going to be at the forefront of most important things that w

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