The NBA Cup is making a comeback for its second season after a successful debut. This means more basketball games for bettors to enjoy. Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious, with LeBron James clinching the MVP title. How does the NBA Cup work? Each team plays four group stage games, which contribute to both the NBA Cup group standings and regular season standings. The top teams from each group, along with wild card entries, move on to the knockout rounds. The final rounds take place at a neutral venue, crowning the mid-season champion. The winning team members receive $500,000 each, while the runners-up get $200,000.
The Boston Celtics are the current favorites to win the NBA Cup, with odds of +425. Following them are the Oklahoma City Thunder at +650 and the Minnesota Timberwolves at +900. The defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, are sitting at +2800. The odds for all 30 teams have been released, with the Indiana Pacers also at +2800, and the New Orleans Pelicans at +3500. The groups have been decided based on the previous season’s records, with each team placed in a group of five.
Looking at the group odds, the New York Knicks lead in East Group A, with the Milwaukee Bucks ahead in East Group B. The Boston Celtics are strong contenders in East Group C. In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves are favored in Group A, while the OKC Thunder lead in Group B. The Denver Nuggets are the ones to watch in Group C. As for the MVP race, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the frontrunner, followed by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Last season’s MVP, LeBron James, put up impressive numbers to secure the title. Who will follow in his footsteps this year? The competition is heating up, with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid in the running. Stay tuned to FOX Sports for the latest updates on the NBA and other sports. Don’t miss out on the action – create a FOX Sports account to receive personalized newsletters with all the information you need. Follow your favorite teams and players to stay up to date with the latest news and highlights.