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Tim Bontemps, ESPN
Which groups are advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals? Friday’s slate gave some readability as all eyes flip to the ultimate evening of motion Tuesday to find out which groups will fill out the bracket.
One workforce that will not be shifting on is the defending match champion, the Los Angeles Lakers, who misplaced to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in West Group B motion Friday. The Lakers completed group play with a 2-2 document and a degree differential of minus-24. The Thunder’s 101-93 win saved their hopes alive.
Earlier Friday, the Atlanta Hawks turned the primary East workforce to advance after profitable East Group C by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-101 on Friday. The loss additionally eradicated the Cavs, who nonetheless have the very best regular-season document.
The Hawks joined two West groups — the Houston Rockets (West Group A winners) and the Golden State Warriors (West Group C winners) — as groups assured to maneuver on. That leaves three extra group winners (one within the West, two within the East), in addition to one wild-card workforce from every convention, to punch their tickets. And bear in mind, level differential in NBA Cup video games issues, because it serves as the primary tiebreaker (after head-to-head document in group play).
As we head into the seventh and last day of group stage play for the NBA Cup, this is what’s at stake:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Clinched: Atlanta Hawks (Group C winners; highway workforce for the quarterfinals)
In rivalry:
Group A: Orlando Magic, New York Knicks
Group B: Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons
Group C: Boston Celtics (wild card solely)
Eradicated: Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Warmth, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
Eventualities: Orlando is at New York in Group A. The winner will win the group and host a quarterfinal. If New York wins by 30 or much less, Orlando would be the wild card.
Milwaukee is at Detroit in Group B. The winner will win the group and host a quarterfinal. If New York wins, the loser shall be eradicated. If Orlando wins, it would come all the way down to level differential for the wild card spot between the Bucks, Pistons and Celtics.
If Detroit wins by six or extra or Milwaukee wins by 5 or extra in regulation, then Boston will declare the wild-card spot. If it is a less-than-five-point recreation, or if it goes to additional time, then the loser of Detroit-Milwaukee will get the spot — once more, if Orlando wins, or if it loses by 30 or much less.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Clinched: Houston Rockets (Group A winners), Golden State Warriors (Group C winners)
Rivalry:
Group A: Portland Path Blazers, LA Clippers (wild card just for each groups)
Group B: San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Group C: Dallas Mavericks; Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies (wild card just for all groups)
Eradicated: Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz
Eventualities:
If the Rockets win in Sacramento and the Warriors win in Denver, they’ll clinch home-court benefit within the quarterfinals. In the event that they each lose, the Rockets will clinch a home-court spot — as long as they lose by lower than 37 factors greater than the Warriors do.
Whereas there are technically 11 groups alive, the overwhelming chances are the remaining two qualifiers for the quarterfinals will come from the three Group B groups — the Spurs, Suns and Thunder — and the Mavericks.
The Thunder host the Jazz on Tuesday and may win. In the event that they do, the Thunder will win the group if the Suns beat the Spurs — whereas the Spurs will win it in the event that they beat the Suns. In these situations, it would come all the way down to level differential for the wild-card spot.
If Dallas wins, contemplating it has a plus-41 level differential, it is going to be the heavy favourite to get the wild card in any state of affairs. The Suns or the Thunder must have a margin of victory at the very least 23 or 24 factors larger than Dallas does towards Memphis in its last recreation.
The one different workforce that may get to 3-1 is the Path Blazers, who play on the Clippers. However Portland has a unfavourable level differential, which means its solely life like path to the wild card is for the Thunder and Mavericks to each lose.
Within the impossible state of affairs that 9 groups tie at 2-2, the Mavericks, by advantage of their huge head begin in level differential, could be the heavy favorites to get the wild-card spot.
This is what stood out from Friday’s motion.
Leap to a bit:
Takeaways | Schedule | FAQ
Lakers’ repeat NBA Cup run fades out
The Lakers’ repeat probabilities within the NBA Cup aren’t formally extinguished, however they’re awfully near it after Friday’s 101-93 loss to the Thunder dropped them to 2-2 in group play and with a degree differential of -24 within the race for the wild card spot.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was sensible for the Thunder, ending with 36 factors, 9 assists and 6 rebounds as OKC completed the sport on a 9-2 run.
It was a defense-first, bodily recreation, with gamers from each groups — Isaiah Hartenstein and Austin Reaves — being delivered to the ground with contact across the basket. Oklahoma Metropolis received regardless of capturing 40.9% from the sphere to L.A.’s 45.2% thanks largely to the turnover differential — the Lakers had 17 turnovers main to twenty Thunder factors; the Thunder had 10 resulting in solely 5 factors for the Lakers.
The primary offender for L.A. was LeBron James, who had 5, persevering with his streak of now 9 straight video games with at the very least 4 turnovers. Reaves additionally had 5.
After shedding three out of 4 regular-season video games to L.A. a season in the past, the Thunder began this season’s collection with a victory — and saved their hopes alive within the NBA Cup in addition. — Dave McMenamin
Hawks transfer on however the East race stays tight
The Hawks secured the East’s first quarterfinal bid with their win over the Cavaliers. That leaves 5 groups — the Knicks and Magic in Group A; the Milwaukee Bucks and Pistons in Group B; and the Celtics in Group C — in rivalry for the remaining three spots.
After the Magic, Knicks and Pistons all received Friday, the 2 groups that can host quarterfinal video games on Dec. 10 or 11 would be the winners of Magic-Knicks and Bucks-Pistons on Tuesday, as these groups would be the solely 4-0 groups within the East on the finish of group play.
As for the wild card? Properly, that image is a fancy one to type out — at the very least in a single state of affairs.
If the Knicks beat the Magic, Orlando is a digital lock to be the wild card. With a degree differential of plus-60 after a 123-100 victory over Brooklyn on Friday, the Magic must lose to New York by at the very least 32 factors to even probably fall out of the wild-card spot.
But when Orlando beats New York, then the spot shall be decided by the winner of the Bucks-Pistons recreation. If Milwaukee wins by 5 or extra, the wild card shall be Boston. A win by three factors or fewer means it’s going to be Detroit, with a four-point win leaving Boston and Detroit tied and it taking place to complete factors scored.
If Detroit wins by six or extra, Boston would be the wild card. If Detroit wins by 4 or fewer, it’s going to be Milwaukee — with a five-point win leaving Boston and Detroit tied. — Tim Bontemps
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Jalen Johnson throws down huge slam vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Johnson throws down huge slam vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Bridges’ struggles continues; Magic roll
The Knicks and Magic are set to resolve East Group A on Tuesday after incomes essential wins Friday, however one star participant nonetheless hasn’t discovered his footing.
It is getting harder to disregard Mikal Bridges’ struggles. They’re so extreme that, for the second time in every week, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau largely benched him within the last quarter. In Friday’s one-point win over Charlotte, Bridges subbed out with 8:25 left within the fourth, then checked in with 13 seconds remaining, out with 11 seconds left, then again in for the ultimate eight seconds, when Thibodeau used him for less than defensive possessions.
Bridges has shot simply 33% from the sphere (20-for-60) in his previous 4 video games, and his seasonlong 30.8% mark from distance ranks fourth worst within the NBA of the 57 gamers who’ve launched at the very least 100 tries.
Towards Brooklyn, the red-hot Magic illustrated they’ll win in quite a lot of methods. They entered Friday because the worst 3-point capturing membership within the league, however the Magic — winners in 11 of their previous 12 regardless of enjoying with out star Paolo Banchero — caught fireplace from deep, hitting 18 of 35 3s in a highway rout. — Chris Herring
2024 Emirates NBA Cup schedule
All occasions ET
Dec. 3
76ers at Magic, 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.
Path Blazers at Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 and 11
Quarterfinals
Dec. 14
Semifinals 1, 4:30 p.m. (TNT)
Semifinals 2, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Dec. 17
Championship, 8:30 p.m. (ABC)
Earlier outcomes
Nov. 29
Knicks 99, Hornets 98
Hawks 117, Cavaliers 101
Grizzlies 120, Pelicans 109
Timberwolves 93, Clippers 92
Magic 123, Nets 100
Pistons 130, Pacers 106
Warmth 121, Raptors 111
Celtics 138, Bulls 129
Thunder 101, Lakers 93
Path Blazers 115, Kings 106
Nov. 12
Hawks 117, Celtics 116
Magic 114, Hornets 89
Pistons 123, Warmth 121 (OT)
Knicks 111, 76ers 99
Bucks 99, Raptors 85
Suns 120, Jazz 112
Path Blazers 122, Timberwolves 108
Warriors 120, Mavericks 117
Nov. 15
Warmth 124, Pacers 111
Magic 98, 76ers 86
Pistons 99, Raptors 95
Lakers 120, Spurs 115
Hawks 129, Wizards 117
Cavaliers 144, Bulls 126
Pelicans 101, Nuggets 94
Knicks 124, Nets 122
Rockets 125, Clippers 104
Thunder 99, Suns 83
Timberwolves 130, Kings 126 (OT)
Warriors 123, Grizzlies 118
Nov. 19
Celtics 120, Cavaliers 117
Nets 116, Hornets 115
Nuggets 122, Grizzlies 110
Mavericks 132, Pelicans 91
Spurs 110, Thunder 110
Lakers 124, Jazz 118
Nov. 22
76ers 113, Nets 98
Celtics 108, Wizards 96
Warriors 112, Pelicans 108
Bucks 129, Pacers 117
Bulls 136, Hawks 122
Rockets 116, Path Blazers 88
Mavericks 123, Nuggets 120
Clippers 108, Kings 88
Nov. 26
Bulls 127, Wizards 108
Bucks 106, Warmth 103
Rockets 117, Timberwolves 111 (OT)
Spurs 128, Jazz 115
Suns 127, Lakers 100
FAQ (by Tim Bontemps)
The NBA unveiled the six teams for the second version of its in-season match — now referred to as the Emirates NBA Cup. This is a take a look at every thing you will must know concerning the return of the competitors.
What’s the format?
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has had a long-standing fascination with European soccer. The thought for having an in-season cup competitors inside the NBA schedule comes from soccer leagues having each a regular-season title, received by the workforce with essentially the most factors over the complete yr, and a separate match (or, in some leagues, a number of tournaments) that runs concurrently with the league season.
In England, for instance, there are the varied divisions — led by the Premier League — and likewise the FA Cup competitors. However not like these European leagues, which play their cup competitions exterior of their league schedules, the NBA Cup is constructed into the regular-season slate.
The 30 NBA groups have been break up into six five-team teams — three that includes Jap Convention groups, and three comprising groups from the West — with every workforce then enjoying one recreation towards the opposite 4 of their group. The winner of every group, plus the workforce with the very best document among the many nongroup winners, will then advance to the knockout rounds.
How will this impression the regular-season schedule and standings?
Sometimes, the NBA sends out a full 82-game schedule in mid-August. Now, although, the league sends out solely 80 video games and leaves a spot for roughly every week to fill in later, relying on how the group stage of the NBA Cup performs out.
The groups that attain the NBA Cup’s finale will truly play 83 video games — although the championship recreation will not rely towards the standings or any statistical markers. Those who lose within the semifinals may have performed their full 82-game schedule and will not want something added.
The 2 groups from each the East and West that lose within the quarterfinals will play their 82nd recreation towards each other on considered one of 4 dates: Dec. 12, 13, 15 or 16. In the meantime, the 22 groups that fail to qualify for the knockout rounds may have their last two video games scheduled — one at house and one on the highway — on Dec. 12 or 13 and 15 or 16 towards others eradicated within the group stage.
Why does the NBA Cup embrace regular-season video games?
Earlier than its launch, one of many important questions surrounding the in-season match was why any workforce could be incentivized to compete in it. By making each recreation a part of the season — and, being in-conference, probably essential from a playoff-tiebreaker standpoint — the NBA ensured groups shall be motivated.
If this had been arrange just like the cup tournaments in European soccer, there would have been nothing stopping NBA groups from opting out, actually or figuratively — sitting their prime gamers for additional relaxation.
What groups make up the teams?
To create the teams, the NBA put all 15 groups in every convention into 5 pots, separated by their end in final season’s standings. Pot 1 included the groups that completed 1-3 in regular-season document, groups 4-6 went into Pot 2, groups 7-9 into Pot 3, groups 10-12 into Pot 4 and groups 13-15 into Pot 5.
Consequently, the next teams have been drawn:
East A: New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets
East B: Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Warmth, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons
East C: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
West A: Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Portland Path Blazers
West B: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs
West C: Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies
Does one group stand out essentially the most from the others?
Sure, there’s an apparent one: West Group C, that includes the Nuggets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Warriors and Grizzlies.
Due to how the draw is carried out, Golden State and Memphis, which handled a mixture of suspensions and accidents, are considerably stronger than you’d anticipate groups within the backside two pots to be.
However along with that includes the reigning MVP in Nikola Jokic and Zion Williamson, the group additionally may provide the primary assembly between Klay Thompson and his former workforce after the guard signed with Dallas following 13 seasons with Golden State.
What do gamers get for profitable?
Final yr, the gamers on the profitable workforce obtained $500,000 every, whereas these on the runners-up acquired $200,000. The shedding gamers of the semifinals every acquired $100,000, and people ousted within the quarterfinals every acquired $50,000.
This yr, the prizes shall be barely increased due to negotiated raises yr over yr to maintain tempo with will increase within the wage cap and basketball associated earnings as a part of the latest collective bargaining settlement between the NBA and the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation.
Will anybody earn particular person honors for his or her play in NBA Cup video games?
There shall be an MVP award, in addition to an all-tournament workforce.
Will this have any impression on the playoffs?
Not past the video games counting within the regular-season standings (and towards tiebreakers). Although there was debate amongst league insiders about guaranteeing a playoff berth for profitable the match, finally that concept (or every other to additional incentivize groups) was not enacted.
The controversy continued after final yr’s in-season match winner, the Lakers, wound up within the play-in match, whereas the runner-up, the Pacers, narrowly prevented touchdown in it. However, in the long run, the one playoff impression comes from the wins and losses accrued all through the match.
Why is it referred to as the Emirates NBA Cup?
The league struck a sponsorship take care of Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, to sponsor the match after its preliminary run. The NBA stated final yr that it went with essentially the most fundamental titles for each the match and its trophy — the “in-season match” and “NBA Cup” — as a technique to introduce the idea to followers.
Nonetheless, utilizing such nondescript names had one other clear benefit: It gave the league a clean slate in case the match and cup turned properties it ended up promoting to a sponsor, and prevented the issues that would come up by naming them after somebody (for instance, the late NBA commissioner David Stern, one chance that had been floated earlier than the match was formally unveiled).