The NBA Cup has officially kicked off, marking the start of the league’s newest regular-season event. The tournament features all 30 teams, divided into six groups of five teams each. These groups consist of three groups from the Western Conference and three from the Eastern Conference. Each team will play against every other team in its group once, with the top team from each group advancing to the knockout stage along with one wild card team per conference.
To break any potential ties, the league has set up specific tiebreakers, including head-to-head record, point differential, total points scored, and record from the previous season. If all else fails, a random drawing will be used. Teams will compete within their conference until the finals, with quarterfinals and semifinals being played in home venues and the championship game taking place in Las Vegas.
The NBA Cup games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays from November 12 to December 6. Quarterfinal games will be held on December 10 and 11 at home venues, followed by the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 14 and the championship game on December 17. Teams that do not advance to the knockout stage will play two additional regular-season games, while the losing quarterfinal teams will play one more regular-season game.
This year, the tournament has been renamed the Emirates NBA Cup and features redesigned courts. While the courts no longer have the runway across the middle, they still showcase the tournament’s trophy at center court and the home team’s colors with concentric circles. Players have the opportunity to earn bonuses based on how far their team progresses, with the winning team receiving a $500,000 bonus.
FanDuel has provided odds for all 30 teams to win the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, with the Boston Celtics as the favorites at +400. However, the odds may seem unusual due to the strength of teams’ opponents in their respective groups. The deeper Western Conference teams face tougher competition, affecting their odds compared to Eastern Conference teams.
Before making any bets on the tournament, it’s essential to consider each team’s group-play opponents as it significantly impacts their chances of advancing. The NBA Cup promises to deliver exciting matchups and intense competition as teams vie for the championship title in Las Vegas.
