Last season, LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers stood tall when they won the first-ever NBA Cup. In a few months’ time, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will try to do the same. The thing is, they have to get through the Miami Heat first.
The Emirates NBA Cup, the NBA’s second annual in-season competition, will take place from November 12 to December 17, 2024. The tournament will consist of two stages: Group Play and Knockout Rounds.
In the Group Play stage, all 30 NBA teams have been randomly drawn into six groups of five teams within their respective conferences based on their 2023-24 regular-season records. From November 12 to December 3, each team will play four Group Play games, one against each opponent in their group, with two home games and two away games.
The Knockout Rounds will feature eight teams: the team with the best record in Group Play from each of the six groups, plus two “wild card” teams from each conference with the second-best Group Play record. The Knockout Rounds will consist of single-elimination games, with the Quarterfinals held in NBA team markets, and the Semifinals and Championship taking place in Las Vegas.
All 67 games across both stages will count towards the regular-season standings, except for the Championship game. The complete schedule and broadcast details will be announced in August 2024.
NBA Cup Schedule For The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat in East Group B
Along with Tyrese Haliburton’s Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee is set to mee the Heat as part of East Group B. In an article written by Dalton Sell for Behind the Buck Pass, the Bucks will attempt to get one over a team that has consistently competed during the past few years.
“In addition to the Lillard swiping, the Bucks and Heat have had plenty of on-court battles, especially in the NBA Playoffs. Miami won in 2020, while Milwaukee won in 2021, followed by a first-round upset by the Heat, who overthrew the top-seeded Bucks in 2023. Whether it ends in pain or glory, the games between these two are always objectively must-see.
Lillard being in Milwaukee will add some intensity to this matchup, and the media will certainly play up that aspect of it. It won’t be a playoff game, but this NBA Cup matchup will certainly have a playoff-like atmosphere. Perhaps this game could be a preview if the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat meet up down the line for another playoff series.
Get your popcorn on November 26,” Sell wrote.
The Bucks have been placed in Group East B for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, where they will face the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons. Before they get to face the Jimmy Butler-led squad, though, Milwaukee will face off against Indiana in a match fans of both teams are eager to see.
While there’s more hype to that said match, it shouldn’t be forgotten that there are still some underlying storylines between Miami and Milwaukee. Their upcoming NBA Cup game may see an increase in tension between both teams, making it more exciting for everyone.
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