The third annual in-season tournament tips off Friday with eight qualifying games scheduled as part of the group phase to determine the winner of the NBA Cup.
Teams were placed into groups of five within their conference based on records from last season. In total, eight teams will advance from the group stage to the knockout round: The six teams with the best record from each group and two wild cards.
Each team will play four designated group games through Nov. 28, with two games at home and two on the road. The teams in the knockout round will play in the quarterfinals Dec. 9-10, culminating with the semifinals on Dec. 13 and the championship on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Chicago Bulls (4-0) will host the New York Knicks (2-2) as part of the action in East Group C. It is the first of four matchups between the two teams, as the Bulls look to win the series in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The Bulls defeated the Sacramento Kings 126-113 on Wednesday to claim their first 4-0 start since the 2021-22 season. Matas Buzelis led the Bulls with 27 points, while Josh Giddey scored 20 points and 12 assists and Kevin Huerter added 18 points off the bench.
The Knicks are coming off a 121-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, their second straight loss after winning their first two games of the season. Jalen Brunson registered his 78th 30-point game with the Knicks, recording 36 points in the loss.
How to Watch
Date: Oct. 31
Time: 8 p.m. EDT
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Channel: MSG Network, Chicago Sports Network
Stream Knicks at Bulls live on Fubo! (free trial)
Betting Lines
Point Spread: Knicks -5.5
Money Line: Bulls +170, Knicks -210
Over/Under: 234.5
NBA Odds via BetMGM.
Jerseys
New York: Association Edition (white)
Chicago: Statement Edition (black)
Source: LockerVision
Knicks at Bulls Injury Report
New York: Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is questionable.
Chicago: Zach Collins (knee) and Coby White (calf) are out.
Projected Starting Lineups
New York Knicks:
- OG Anunoby
- Mikal Bridges
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Landry Shamet
- Jalen Brunson
Chicago Bulls:
- Isaac Okoro
- Matas Buzelis
- Nikola Vučević
- Tre Jones
- Josh Giddey
