New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- New format, surprise performances, and Vegas finals - inside the league's pioneering midseason competition

Understanding the Tournament Format and Schedule

The Emirates NBA Cup consists of group play and knockout rounds. The 30 teams were divided into six groups with four games each within their groups scheduled primarily on Fridays through November. The top team in each group plus two wildcards advance to the quarterfinals, which are hosted at NBA team venues. The semifinals and championship, played in Las Vegas in mid-December, complete the high-pressure tournament run. The format keeps every game counting toward regular-season standings, making each matchup critical for playoff seeding as well.

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