NBA Cup 2024: Final Day of Group Play – What’s at Stake?
The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup is heating up as we approach the final day of group play. With five out of eight knockout round spots still available, teams are battling fiercely for their chance to advance. Here’s everything at stake and the key scenarios for the upcoming matches.
The Stakes: Group Winners and Wild Cards
In the NBA Cup’s single-elimination knockout rounds, only the top eight teams will proceed. This includes winners from Groups A, B, and C, and two wild-card teams from each conference:
- Head-to-head record in group play
- Non-overtime point differential in group play
- Total non-overtime points in group play
- 2023-24 regular-season record
- Random drawing (if all else fails)
The knockout rounds start on Tuesday, Dec. 10, with quarterfinal games, followed by semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 14. The championship concludes on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Confirmed Teams:
- Houston Rockets (West Group A winner)
- Golden State Warriors (West Group C winner)
- Atlanta Hawks (East Group C winner)
These teams have clinched their spots. Meanwhile, the West saw the Pelicans, Jazz, Timberwolves, Kings, and Lakers bow out. Surprisingly, the East eliminated teams include the Wizards, Raptors, 76ers, Nets, Hornets, Heat, Bulls, Pacers, and Cavaliers.
Who’s Still in The Hunt?
East Group A: Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks
Both undefeated, the Magic (+60 point differential) and Knicks (+15 point differential) will decide Group A’s winner. A Magic loss by less than 37 points still nearly guarantees a wild-card slot for Orlando, but Knicks must secure a win to advance.
East Group B: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons
Both at 3-0, the showdown will determine Group B’s champion. The loser might still snag a wild-card spot, provided they maintain a better point differential than Celtics and the East Group A loser.
East Group C: Boston Celtics’ Wild Card Hopes
The Celtics, 3-1, depend on others to secure their wild-card. They advance only if the Knicks lose and the Bucks/Pistons loser drops below a +23 point differential.
West Group A: Blazers and Clippers Vie for Wild Card
- Portland Trail Blazers: Must win against Clippers and depend on Thunder and Mavericks losing. Alternatively, achieving a higher point differential than their competitors secures their spot.
- LA Clippers: Victory is essential, needing to outperform second-placers in Groups B and C to clinch the wild card.
West Group B: A Three-Way Faceoff
- Thunder: They need a win and Suns’ victory over Spurs, or win and outperform opponents for the wild card.
- Suns: Must defeat Spurs with simultaneous Jazz triumph over Thunder or secure a substantial win.
- Spurs: Victory against Suns leads the group, and losses elsewhere place them for the wild card.
West Group C: Mavericks Lead the Charge
- Mavericks: They must win, or secure better point differential than rivals.
- Nuggets: Must beat the Warriors decisively and rely on losses by Mavericks, Thunder, and Trail Blazers.
- Grizzlies: Victory and poor performance by competitors is crucial for their wild card hopes.
Tuesday’s Schedule and Clinching Scenarios
- 76ers at Hornets, 7 p.m.
- Wizards at Cavaliers, 7 p.m.
- Bucks at Pistons, 7 p.m.
- Magic at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Pacers at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
- Jazz at Thunder, 8 p.m.
- Grizzlies at Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.
- Spurs at Suns, 9 p.m.
- Warriors at Nuggets, 10 p.m. (TNT)
- Rockets at Kings, 10 p.m.
- Trail Blazers at Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
Which teams will move forward? Keep an eye on NBA Cup developments and how teams navigate the final day scenarios.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-cup-2024-heres-whats-at-stake-on-the-final-day-of-group-play-plus-every-clinch-scenario-205002261.html