LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA has a new trophy to play for, and some extra cash for the teams that make it to the knockout round.
Unveiling on Saturday The long-awaited plans for the championship in the season Which will start in November is likely to raise some questions, given that it is a new concept and will make the schedule a bit unclear when the list of games for the 2023-24 squad is released later this summer.
All 30 teams will participate. Every match will count towards the stats and standings – except for the championship game in Las Vegas on December 9th.
How does this work?
First, let’s start with the easy answer. Every game counts in the regular season standings – except for the championship game. (More on that later.)
The teams will play four matches in the group stage. The group winners go to the quarterfinals, as do the two wild card teams. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final are all single-elimination.
How were the groups chosen?
Teams are assigned to a five-team pool, with last season’s regular season standings determining which pods they are selected from. The teams that finished first, second, and third in each conference were in one pod; Teams that finished on points 4-6 were elsewhere. spots 7–9 elsewhere; Spots 10-12 in the last and spots 13-15 in the last.
The winner of each group goes to the quarter-finals, along with the two best second-placed teams. He’ll probably play the tiebreaker there. For in-group tiebreakers, head-to-head matches come first. If there is a tie for the best second-placed team in all groups, the tie-breakers are:
– points difference in the group stage;
Total points scored in the group stage.
– Record from the 2022-23 regular season.
– Random drawing.
What are the risks?
Well, all games matter, so obviously the results will factor in who will make the “real” playoffs starting in April.
Otherwise, the teams will play for the NBA Cup – the new trophy – and bonus money for the quarter-finalists, semi-finalists, runner-up and champion. Players can receive up to $500,000; For some players in the league this is a test of the game, but for many players it is still a lot of money.
Does everyone still play 82 games?
This is a slightly tricky question. The answer is yes, somewhat.
Teams will get 80 matches (including the four group stage matches) in the next few weeks. Teams not making the tournament playoffs in the season will play two matches (filling in the two missing matches in their 82-match schedule) against other non-knockout teams on December 6 and 8.
For the quarterfinalists, that match becomes the 81st on their schedule. The losing quarterfinalists will play the other losing quarterfinalist from their conference, finishing 82nd in their table.
Semi-finalists will receive the 82 places taken in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The semi-final losers will not play any additional matches; They’ll be at 82 already.
This leaves the two teams on the championship game. The Dec. 9 game in Las Vegas will end up as one of the 83 games on their schedules — which is why they won’t rely on their records or for statistical purposes.
Regular season play resumes on December 11.
Will all teams still play 41 home games?
No. Some teams will play 40 games at home or on the road instead of the usual 41, and some teams may find themselves at home or on the road 42 times.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba And https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Join the conversation