NBA Cup Heats Up on Black Friday with Jam-Packed Schedule

NBA action returns with a flourish this Black Friday, offering a full slate of Emirates NBA Cup games as two-thirds of the league aims for a place in the knockout stages. The group stage action culminates on December 3, with the winners of each group (A, B, and C) in the Eastern and Western Conferences, along with two Wild Cards – the best second-place teams from each conference – advancing to the direct elimination rounds. After that, it will be a race for the top prize in Las Vegas, culminating in a final that won’t count towards regular season records or stats.

In case of ties in group play, the following tiebreaker system will be utilized: head-to-head records, followed by point differential in games without overtime, total points scored in games without overtime, 2023-24 regular season records, and lastly, a random draw if the deadlock persists.

The quarterfinals are scheduled for December 10 and 11, with the winners advancing to Las Vegas for the semifinals on December 14. The championship face-off is set for December 17.

Current Group Standings and Playoff Contenders

Several teams are already staring down the barrel of early elimination, while others have punched their tickets to the knockout rounds. The Pelicans, Wizards, Jazz, and Raptors have been eliminated despite putting up some stiff competition at times.

Moving on to the qualifiers, the undefeated Warriors (Group C West) and Rockets (Group A West) already secured their berths, displaying early dominance in their respective groups. The Bucks are poised to potentially join them from Group B East, carrying a perfect 3-0 record.

However, the race to the top of Group B East remains tight with the Pistons hot on their heels, boasting their own impressive 2-0 record. Teams like the Knicks, Magic, Celtics, and Hawks are still in the fight, ensuring a thrilling finish to the group stage.

Here’s a breakdown of the current standings:

Group A East

1. Orlando Magic (2-0), +37 point differential
2. New York Knicks (2-0) – Face the Magic on December 3rd in a crucial matchup.

Group B East

1. Milwaukee Bucks (3-0), +29 point differential
2. Detroit Pistons (2-0) – Set to battle the Bucks in what could decide the group leader.

Group C East

1. Chicago Bulls (2-1), +15-point differential

2. Atlanta Hawks (2-1) and Boston Celtics (2-1) – Locked in a tight battle for playoff positions.

Group A West

1. Houston Rockets (3-0), +49 point differential – Already clinched a playoff berth

Group B West

1. Phoenix Suns (2-1)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (2-1)
3. San Antonio Spurs (2-1) – All three teams remain in contention.

Group C West

1. Golden State Warriors (3-0), – Already clinched a playoff berth

Friday’s Schedule – A Day of Big Matchups

Friday promises an exciting slate of games, showcasing fierce rivalries and potential playoff previews:

• Knicks vs. Hornets: 12 p.m. ET on NBA TV

• Cavaliers vs. Hawks: 2:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV

• Clippers vs. Timberwolves: 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

• Thunder vs. Lakers: 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Which teams have been eliminated from ‍the ⁣NBA Cup according​ to the ⁢guest?

## NBA Cup Heats Up on Black Friday: An‍ Interview

**Host:**⁤ Welcome⁤ back, basketball fans! The NBA Cup is ‍in full swing, and we’re seeing⁤ some ‍truly exciting‍ matchups as teams battle for a spot in⁢ the knockout stages. Joining me today is ⁤NBA analyst, [Guest Name], to break down the latest ‌developments.

**Guest:** Thanks for having me!​ It’s definitely an exciting ⁢time for basketball, with so much​ on the line‌ in these group stage games.

**Host:**⁤ Absolutely. ⁣Black Friday⁢ offers a full slate of games, and it seems like a ⁣lot of teams are ​fighting for their playoff lives.

**Guest:** That’s⁤ right. Two-thirds ​of the league is still in contention, ⁢and with the group stage culminating on December 3rd, we’re approaching crunch time. ‍Several⁣ teams‌ have already been​ eliminated, including the Pelicans, Wizards, Jazz, and⁤ Raptors [[1](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/nba-in-season-tournament-details-announced-final-four-to-be-played-in-las-vegas)], but ⁢the competition ‌remains fierce for the remaining spots.

**Host:** It’s interesting to see teams​ like the Warriors and Rockets already secure their spots in​ the knockout rounds. They’ve been​ dominant in their respective ​groups.

**Guest:** ⁤ Absolutely. The Warriors (Group C⁢ West) and Rockets (Group A West) haven’t‌ dropped a game yet, showcasing ⁢their talent‍ and determination. The Bucks are also looking strong in Group B East⁤ with a perfect 3-0 ⁤record,‍ but⁣ the race is tight in that group​ with the Pistons also in ‍contention.

**Host:** And let’s not forget about the tiebreaker⁢ system. With so many teams vying for those Wild Card spots, those​ tiebreaker rules could come into play.

**Guest:**

You’re ‍right. The league ‍has​ implemented a detailed ‌tiebreaker system, prioritizing ​head-to-head records,⁤ point differential, and even regular season records⁣ if needed. It adds another layer of complexity and intrigue to the tournament.

**Host:** Looking ahead, ​the knockout rounds⁣ promise some thrilling matchups. It ⁣all culminates in Las Vegas with‌ the ⁣championship game on December 17th.

**Guest:** It’ll be a spectacle,⁣ no doubt. ‍We’ll see the best teams from each conference battling it out for the prestigious Emirates NBA Cup.

**Host:** Thank‍ you so much for your ‌insights, [Guest Name]. We’re looking forward ⁣to seeing how the rest ⁤of the tournament⁤ plays ⁤out!

**Guest:** My pleasure! It’s going to be a wild ride.