The NBA’s in-season tournament has a nice new name, a big fat sponsor and now a schedule in place for pool play.
The Bulls announced Tuesday their four-game schedule for the 2024-25 Emirates NBA Cup, and again they’ll face the now-defending NBA champion Celtics in the finale of East Group C play.
The Bulls will kick off the Cup on the road Nov. 15 against the Cavaliers, then host the Hawks on Nov. 22. They’ll visit the Wizards on Nov. 26 and finish by hosting the Celtics on Nov. 29.
The Bulls went 0-4 in pool play last season, including hitting rock bottom with an embarrassing 124-97 loss against the Celtics that dropped them to 5-14 overall.
Coach Billy Donovan and several players were upset with the Celtics for running up the score to make sure they reached the point differential to advance out of pool play.
If the Bulls can make it out of pool play this time, the remaining eight teams will play in the single-elimination knockout rounds starting Dec. 10.