Celtics land favorable draw as NBA Cup tournament opponents revealed

The Celtics will face against one of the weaker groups in the Eastern Conference next season in the newly renamed Emirates NBA Cup. The league unveiled all six groups consisting of five teams each for the second annual in-season competition on Friday evening.

The Celtics will play in Group C in the Eastern Conference and matchup against the Bulls, Hawks, Cavaliers and Wizards in Group Play games across four Tuesdays (Nov. 12, 19 and 26 and Dec. 3) and three Fridays (Nov. 15, 22 and 29) in November and December. Each team will play one game against their four group opponents during the group stage with the winners of each group and one wildcard team from each conference advancing to the quarterfinals in December. Eight total teams will advance to the quarterfinals with the semifinals and championship held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the second straight year.

The Celtics advanced to the quarterfinals last year of the in-season tournament before bowing out in a road contest against the Pacers. Boston is likely to play the entire tournament this season without starting center Kristaps Porzingis who is expected to be sidelined until at least December after undergoing offseason leg surgery.

The Cavaliers should poise a formidable challenge to Boston within Group C but the Bulls and Wizards are not expected to be playoff teams while the Hawks are a borderline playoff team in the East next year after trading away Dejounte Murray. Here are the full groups for each conference.

East A: Knicks, Magic, 76ers, Nets, Hornets

East B: Bucks, Pacers, Heat, Raptors, Pistons

East C: Celtics, Cavs, Hawks, Bulls, Wizards

West A: Wolves, Clippers, Kings, Rockets, Blazers

West B: Thunder, Suns, Lakers, Jazz, Spurs

West C: Nuggets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Warriors, Grizzlies