Updated NBA Cup Rules
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Let’s break it down, short and sweet (2025 Updated NBA Cup Rules):
Group Play:
- 30 teams divided into 6 groups (3 per conference, 5 teams per group).
- Each team plays 4 games (2 home, 2 away) against group opponents.
- ALL Group Play games count toward the regular season standings.
Knockout Rounds:
- 8 teams advance: 6 Group Winners + 2 Wild Cards (the best second-place team from each conference).
- Single-elimination: Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Championship.
- Quarterfinals are hosted by the top-seeded teams.
- Semifinals and Championship are played at a neutral site (Las Vegas).
- All games count toward the regular season, EXCEPT the Championship game.
Must-Know Tiebreaker Order:
- Head-to-head record in Group Play.
- Point Differential in Group Play (excluding OT points).
- Total Points Scored in Group Play (excluding OT points).
- Prior Regular Season Record.
NBA CUP Standings
| Team | Group Play | Record | Point Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raptors | Clinched | 4-0 | +55 |
| Hawks | Eliminated | 2-2 | -4 |
| Cavaliers | Eliminated | 2-2 | +26 |
| Pacers | Eliminated | 1-3 | 0 |
| Wizards | Eliminated | 1-3 | -77 |
East Group B
| Team | Group Play | Record | Point Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic | Clinched | 4-0 | +64 |
| Celtics | Eliminated | 2-2 | -17 |
| Pistons | Eliminated | 2-2 | +21 |
| 76ers | Eliminated | 1-3 | -39 |
| Nets | Eliminated | 1-3 | -29 |
East Group C
| Team | Group Play | Record | Point Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knicks | Clinched | 3-1 | +35 |
| Heat | Wild Card | 3-1 | +49 |
| Bucks | Eliminated | 2-2 | +4 |
| Hornets | Eliminated | 1-3 | -39 |
| Bulls | Eliminated | 1-3 | -49 |
West Group A
| Team | Group Play | Record | Point Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder | Clinched | 4-0 | +75 |
| Suns | Wild Card | 3-1 | +31 |
| Timberwolves | Eliminated | 2-2 | +45 |
| Jazz | Eliminated | 1-3 | -85 |
| Kings | Eliminated | 0-4 | -66 |
West Group B
| Team | Group Play | Record | Point Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | Clinched | 4-0 | +46 |
| Grizzlies | Eliminated | 3-1 | +14 |
| Clippers | Eliminated | 2-2 | -20 |
| Mavericks | Eliminated | 1-3 | -21 |
| Pelicans | Eliminated | 0-4 | -19 |