The 2024 NBA Cup marks the second edition of the league’s in-season tournament, designed to add excitement to the regular season. All 30 teams will compete, divided into six groups, with games starting on November 12.
Format
- Group Structure: The teams are split into six groups of five, with three groups from the Western Conference and three from the Eastern Conference.
- Group Play: Each team plays every other team in its group once. The six group winners and one wild card team from each conference will advance to the knockout stage.
- Knockout Stage: This stage consists of single-elimination games:
- Quarterfinals: Held at home venues on December 10 and 11.
- Semifinals and Finals: Both will take place in Las Vegas on December 14 and December 17, respectively.
Tiebreakers
If teams are tied in group play, the following tiebreakers will be used:
- Head-to-head record
- Point differential in group play
- Total points scored in group play
- Overall win-loss record from the 2023-24 season
- Random drawing if necessary
Groups
The groups were determined based on last season’s records and random drawing. Below are the groups:
- West A: Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers
- West B: Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs
- West C: Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies
- East A: New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls
- East B: Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors
- East C: Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards
Schedule
- Group Play: Games will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from November 12 to December 6.
- Quarterfinals: December 10 and 11
- Semifinals: December 14
- Final: December 17
Prize Structure
Players can earn bonuses based on their team’s performance:
- Championship Winner: $500,000 per player
- Runner-Up: $200,000
- Semifinalists: $100,000
- Quarterfinalists: $50,000
Favorites
According to FanDuel, the top contenders for the 2024 NBA Cup include:
- Boston Celtics: +400
- New York Knicks: +950
- Minnesota Timberwolves: +1000
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +1000
- Denver Nuggets: +1100
- Oklahoma City Thunder: +1200
Conclusion
The NBA Cup aims to enhance early-season interest and provide a competitive edge to regular-season games. With its unique format and prize incentives, the league hopes to create a memorable experience for fans and players alike.
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