Everything you need to know about an NBA Cup that goes crazy after Thanksgiving Action

After the Thanksgiving break, the NBA returns with a day filled with games on Black Friday. Two-thirds of the league will be in action with the resumption of the Emirates NBA Cup, offering a total of 10 matches, starting with the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets at noon (ET) and closing with an exciting Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m.

Format and Standings

The group stage of the NBA Cup will conclude on Tuesday, December 3. The winners of each group (A, B, and C) in the Eastern and Western conferences, along with two "wild cards" (the best team from each conference in the group stage that finishes second in their group), will advance to the knockout stage.

In case of ties, the tiebreaker criteria are:

1. Head-to-head record in the group stage.
2. Point differential in non-overtime games.
3. Total points scored in non-overtime games.
4. Regular season record of 2023-24.
5. Random draw (if the tie persists).

The quarterfinals will be on December 10 and 11, with the winners progressing to Las Vegas for the semifinals on December 14. The final, the only match that will not count towards regular season records or statistics, will be on December 17.

Eliminated and Qualified Teams So Far

• Eliminated: Pelicans, Wizards, Jazz, and Raptors.
• Qualified: Warriors (Group C, West) and Rockets (Group A, West).

The Bucks, undefeated with a record of 3-0 in Group B East, could secure their spot depending on their match against the Pistons. Teams like the Knicks, Magic, Celtics, and Hawks also keep their chances alive.

Current Standings in the Groups

Group A, East

1. Orlando Magic (2-0): +37 points differential.
2. New York Knicks (2-0): Face Magic on December 3.

Group B, East

1. Milwaukee Bucks (3-0): Leaders with a +29 points differential.
2. Detroit Pistons (2-0): Competing with the Bucks for the lead.

Group C, East

1. Chicago Bulls (2-1): Leading with a +15 points differential.
2. Atlanta Hawks (2-1) and Boston Celtics (2-1) still in the competition.

Group A, West

1. Houston Rockets (3-0): Qualified, +49 points differential.

Group B, West

1. Phoenix Suns (2-1), Lakers (2-1), and Spurs (2-1): All with chances.

Group C, West

1. Golden State Warriors (3-0): Qualified as group leaders.

Highlighted Games on Friday

• Knicks vs. Hornets (12 p.m. ET, NBA TV).
• Cavaliers vs. Hawks (2:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV).
• Clippers vs. Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
• Thunder vs. Lakers (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Todo lo que debes saber de una NBA Cup que se vuelve loca tras Acción de Gracias