The Emirates NBA Cup: Excitement and Dominance on the Court
The third edition of the Emirates NBA Cup continues to ignite the season, with another week of intense matchups in the group stage. The tournament, which crowned LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers as the first champions in 2023, promises more surprises and epic battles. After James and the Lakers’ victory, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks sought to make their mark, but now the question is: Who will take home the trophy in Las Vegas this year? Will any team be able to maintain the momentum from the tournament and carry it into the postseason?What You Should Know About the Tournament
- Key Results: Review of the week’s highlights and key moments.
- Format and Rules: Details on the changes implemented for this edition.
- Upcoming Matches: Complete schedule and analysis of the matchups.
- Standings: Updated statistics and team positions.
Heat vs. Bulls: Miami Crushes Chicago
The Miami Heat demonstrated their superiority over the Chicago Bulls with a resounding victory on rival territory. The Heat, who have dominated the Bulls in important games, practically eliminated them from the NBA Cup with a dominant performance. The Heat’s collective effort was key, with a 28-7 run that set the course of the game. Eight Miami players scored in double figures, with Kel’el Ware standing out with 20 points and Bam Adebayo’s solid defense. The Heat led by 27 points after three quarters, limiting the Bulls to a poor 48% field goal percentage close to the basket. With a 10-6 record, the Heat is positioned in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, with the return of Tyler Herro. In the Cup, the Heat has a 2-1 record and will face the Milwaukee Bucks in their last game, where they will need a victory and external help to advance to the next phase.The Western Conference: Fireworks on the Court
The Western Conference games offered an unforgettable spectacle. Group C, with five of the best teams in the conference, promised excitement and did not disappoint. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, achieved a narrow victory over the Rockets. Meanwhile, Caleb Love, rookie of the Trail Blazers, shone with 26 points to secure a crucial victory against the Warriors. In other matchups, the Phoenix Suns rallied to beat the Timberwolves, and the Mavericks did the same against the Pelicans. The Oklahoma City Thunder also secured an important victory.Friday’s Results
- Nets 113, Celtics 105
- Cavaliers 120, Pacers 109
- Raptors 140, Wizards 110
- Heat 143, Bulls 107
- Mavericks 118, Pelicans 115
- Suns 114, Timberwolves 113
- Nuggets 112, Rockets 109
- Thunder 144, Jazz 112
- Trail Blazers 127, Warriors 123
Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA Cup
The NBA unveiled the groups for the third edition of the Emirates NBA Cup. Here’s everything you need to know about the competition’s return.What is the format?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was inspired by European soccer to create this tournament. The 30 teams are divided into six groups of five, playing one game against each opponent in their group. The winners of each group, along with the best second-place finisher, advance to the knockout stage.How does the tournament affect the regular season?
The regular season has 80 games, leaving space for the tournament. Teams that lose in the quarterfinals will play their 82nd game against another eliminated team. Teams that do not qualify for the final phase will play two additional games against other eliminated teams. The teams that reach the final will play 83 games. The four teams that reach the semifinals in Las Vegas will have completed their 82 games. The quarterfinal matches could move some regular season games.Are the semi-finals and the final played in Las Vegas?
Yes, for this season. Next year, the semifinals will be played at home venues. The league seeks to improve the fans’ experience.What’s new with the tournament this year?
Most games are broadcast on Amazon Prime, including the knockout stage. The matches will be played mainly on Fridays, starting on Halloween.Why does the NBA Cup include regular season games?
The NBA seeks to motivate teams by making each game count towards the regular season, including tie-breaking criteria for the playoffs.How are the groups formed?
The teams were divided into five pots based on their performance in the previous season. The following groups were formed:- This A: Cavaliers, Pacers, Hawks, Raptors, Wizards.
- This B: Celtics, Pistons, Magic, Nets, 76ers.
- This C: Knicks, Bucks, Bulls, Heat, Hornets.
- West A: Thunder, Timberwolves, Kings, Suns, Jazz.
- West B: Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Pelicans.
- West C: Rockets, Nuggets, Warriors, Trail Blazers, Spurs.
Which group stands out the most?
The West’s Group C is the most competitive, with Rockets, Nuggets, and Warriors, in addition to the Blazers and Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs.What do players receive for winning?
The players of the winning team received $500,000 each in 2023. The runners-up got $200,000. The semi-finalists received $100,000 and the quarter-finalists $50,000. The rewards increase every year.Will there be individual awards?
Yes, an MVP award will be given and an ideal team of the tournament will be formed.Will it impact the playoffs?
Beyond the results in the regular season, there will be no direct impact on the playoffs.Why is it called the Emirates NBA Cup?
The league signed a sponsorship agreement with Emirates, the airline based in Dubai.2025 Emirates NBA Cup Schedule
All times are Eastern.Group Stage
October 31st
Contents
- Hawks 128, Pacers 108
- Celtics 109, 76ers 108
- Raptors 112, Cavaliers 101
- Knicks 135, Bulls 125
- Lakers 117, Grizzlies 112
- Suns 118, Jazz 96
- Trail Blazers 109, Nuggets 107
- Clippers 126, Pelicans 124
November 7th
- Cavaliers 148, Wizards 114
- Magic 123, Celtics 110
- Raptors 109, Hawks 97
- Pistons 125, Nets 107
- Spurs 121, Rockets 110
- Bucks 126, Bulls 110
- Heat 126, Hornets 108
- Timberwolves 137, Jazz 97
- Grizzlies 118, Mavericks 104
- Thunder 132, Kings 101
- Nuggets 129, Warriors 104
November 14th
- Magic 105, Nets 98
- Knicks 140, Heat 132
- Pistons 114, 76ers 105
- Rockets 140, Trail Blazers 116
- Lakers 118, Pelicans 104
- Timberwolves 124, Kings 110
- Bucks 147, Hornets 134 (OT)
- Clippers 133, Mavericks 127 (2OT)
- Warriors 109, Spurs 108
November 21st
Nets 113, Celtics 105November 25th
- Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
- Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 8 p.m. (Peacock)
- LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 11 p.m. (Peacock)
November 26th
- Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
- New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.
- Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m.
- Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. (ESPN)
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.
- Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m.
November 28th
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
- Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets, 7:30 p.m.
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (Prime)
- Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m.
- Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m.
- Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m.
- Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz, 9:30 p.m.
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets, 9:30 p.m.
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. (Prime)
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers, 10 p.m.
Elimination Phase
December 9th and 10th: Quarter-finals
To be defined vs. To be defined, (Prime)December 13: Semifinals
- To be defined vs. To be defined, (Prime)
- To be defined vs. To be defined, (Prime)
December 16: Final
To be defined vs. To be defined, (Prime)
