By Alfredo Echenique
03 Nov 2023, 18:55 PM EDT
A little over a week ago the 2023/2024 NBA season began, and with it a new tournament separate from the traditional league called NBA In-Season Tournament.
This new championship will have a different format and classification rules than the traditional NBA ones. Although it will be played in parallel with the already known league.
For this league cup-style tournament, the 30 teams are distributed in groups of five, according to the records obtained last season and within their same conference.
Each franchise will play four games, one against each member of the group, two as a visitor and two at home. The best of each group will advance to the Elimination Round, for a total of three qualifiers per Conference, plus two others who will advance via wild card.
The Elimination Rounds will be direct elimination games. The rounds to be played to be the tournament champion are quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Groups and calendar
According to the final positions of last season, the groups for the NBA In-Season Tournament were assembled. The groups remain as follows.
Eastern Conference
Group A
Philadelphia 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers
Detroit Pistons
B Group
Milwaukee Bucks
New York Knicks
Miami Heat
Washington Wizards
Charlotte Hornets
Group C
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Toronto Raptors
Chicago Bulls
Orlando Magic
Western Conference
Group A
Memphis Grizzlies
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers
B Group
Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Clippers
New Orleans Pelicans
Dallas Mavericks
Houston Rockets
Group C
Sacramento Kings
Golden State Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Match days for this cup will take place every Tuesday. With the exception of Tuesday, November 7, for the elections and the opening day, which will be held on Friday, November 3. The group stage will run until November 28.
The quarterfinals will be on December 4 and 5, the semifinal on the 7th of the same month and the grand final will take place on Saturday, December 9.
With this new tournament in cup format, the teams that reach the final will play an additional seven games, in addition to the traditional 82 for the league.
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