The Emirates NBA Cup (formerly the In-Season Tournament) will be returning for its second year starting in November, as the league’s effort to give some regular season games a bit extra juice will begin group play on November 12 and end on December 3, with the quarterfinals on December 10-11, semifinals on December 14, and championship on December 17 (with the last two rounds being in Las Vegas). Last year, the In-Season Tournament provided us with some good fun, with the Lakers beating the Pacers in the inaugural championship game, resulting in the Lakers hanging the first NBA Cup banner — to the dismay of some. On Tuesday, the league announced who will make up the six groups of five teams and when they’ll play their Cup games, as we continue to get details about the schedule ahead of the full release, likely later this week.
EAST A: Knicks, Magic, Sixers, Nets, Hornets East A features three playoff teams from a year ago, as the Knicks and Sixers will be the favorites, while the Magic figure to be a contender as well. The Nets, now actively tanking, shouldn’t be a factor and the Hornets will be underdogs in every game but against Brooklyn. at Sixers (11/12), vs.
Nets (11/15), at Hornets (11/29), vs. Magic (12/3) vs. Hornets (11/12), vs.
Sixers (11/15), at Nets (11/29), at Knicks (12/3) vs. Knicks (11/12), at Magic (11/15), vs. Nets (11/22), at Hornets (12/3) at Knicks (11/12), vs.
Hornets (11/19), at Sixers (11/22), vs. Magic (12/3) at Magic (11/12), at Nets (11/19),.