The NBA Cup, the league’s newest regular-season event, has officially started with all 30 teams split into six groups of five teams each. The tournament will feature group play games on Tuesdays and Fridays until December 6, followed by quarterfinal games on December 10 and 11, semifinals in Las Vegas on December 14, and the championship on December 17. The tournament will culminate with a final four in Las Vegas, similar to last year when the Lakers emerged as champions.
The format of the NBA Cup includes each team playing every team in its group once, followed by the knockout stage with single-elimination games. Tiebreakers will be used to determine advancing teams in case of ties, with head-to-head record, point-differential, total points scored, and record from the previous season all coming into play. The groups were determined through a combination of random drawing and last season’s records, with each group featuring one team from each of the five conference pots.
This year’s tournament, now officially named the Emirates NBA Cup, features redesigned courts with unique elements such as concentric circles instead of the runway seen last year. Players can earn bonuses based on how far their team advances in the tournament, with the winning team receiving a $500,000 bonus. Additionally, a media vote after the championship game will determine the tournament’s MVP and the All-Tournament Team.
The favorites to win the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup according to FanDuel odds include the Boston Celtics (+400), New York Knicks (+950), and Minnesota Timberwolves (+1000). However, the odds are influenced by the teams’ group play opponents, with the depth of the Western Conference impacting the rankings. Teams in the East may have an easier path to the championship due to the conference’s perceived weaker competition.
Before placing any bets or predictions on the tournament, it is essential to consider the group play opponents of each team, as this plays a significant role in determining the odds and potential outcomes of the games. The NBA Cup promises an exciting and competitive event for basketball fans, with the action set to unfold over the coming weeks leading up to the championship game in Las Vegas.
