Which teams can still qualify for the knockout rounds of the 2024 NBA Cup?

How can the Boston Celtics qualify for the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup?

The Celtics could qualify as a wild card team if the point difference tiebreaker makes their way. Boston has two important Eastern Conference games to watch, which will be played on Tuesday. The Pistons/Bucks and Magic/Knicks will face the Celtics in the tiebreaker round. The loser of each game will be tied with the Celtics at 3-1.

Point differential will be crucial, and the Celtics are +23, ahead of only the New York Knicks (+15). The Celtics have to pray for the Knicks’ loss in Group A and also for a good lead (more than 6 points) in the game between the Bucks and Pistons.

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Western Conference

Qualified teams: Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets

Eliminated teams: Jazz, kings, timber wolves, bulls, birds of prey, pelicans,

Stay in competition: Suns, Clippers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Thunder, Blazers, Clippers, Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets

The Western Conference is now at its most complicated as two teams have already booked their tickets to Las Vegas. We now have two places left for the quarter-finals, one for the group winner and one for the wildcard team. Let’s quickly go through each group and understand:

Group A

The Rockets have already won Group A with 3 out of 3 wins. The Trail Blazers (2-1) and Clippers (1-2) are in the running for the wild card spot. Both teams meet in the final group game on Tuesday and the winner awaits further results. If the Clippers win, they’ll be tied at 2-2, and if the Blazers win, they’ll improve to 3-1. Ideally, the Blazers will have more chances to qualify as a wild card team.

Group B

The Lakers and Jazz are eliminated, but they complicate the group as three teams have a 2-1 record. Every team can qualify directly, and there is no big difference in points difference. Thunder will face Jazz and given their form they can improve to 3-1. The game between the Suns and Spurs will provide even more drama. If the Thunder lose, it will be easy for either the Suns or Spurs to qualify. If Thunder wins, it will be 3-1 with the winner of the Suns-Spurs game.

Group C

The Golden State Warriors have already won Group C and the Pelicans are eliminated. Now it’s a battle between three teams: Mavericks (2-1), Nuggets (1-2) and Grizzlies (1-2). Dallas can improve to 3-1 if they beat the Grizzlies, and the loss will eliminate Memphis. Nuggets will face the Warriors, so it won’t be easy, but if Dallas loses, they can improve to 2-2 with a surprise win.

What options are there for the Western Conference?

Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks can potentially finish 3-1 to create the best-case scenario of qualifying as a wild card team. They will also be level with a team from Group B. If Thunder loses, this opportunity is lost too. Then there is a tiebreaker between the teams that finished 3-1 in their group, with the Dallas Mavericks having the advantage with a better point differential.

If Thunder wins, all teams with a 2-2 record in the group will be eliminated. That means teams like the Clippers, Nuggets and Grizzlies have little chance.