2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 28

Our four week journey is nearly complete. 432 games are in the books, and today, the final 16 will be played.

The field of 32 for the elimination round is nearly filled, with only two spots still remaining up for grabs. Those will be filled today. In addition, lots of seeding still remains up in the air, including a couple of group winners that will be settled today.

On this final day of group play, Groups A and B finish out their slate after having a couple days to prepare, while Groups C and F come back after having yesterday off.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play the final games.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 27

It's been a long month of July... but we're finally here. Today is the second to last day of group play, and with it, the start of the final round. It comes on a milestone post: this is the 500th post since I started doing Confessions of a Sportscaster back in 2011.

Every NBA champion of the last 64 years has played 13 games over the last 26 days. For 32 of these teams, this is the final game of the tournament for them. For the other 32, it's a stepping stone to glory.

All but eight spots in the elimination round have been clinched, and six of those spots can be locked up today. On today's schedule, Groups E and H play the last of back to backs, while Groups D and G return from a day off to finish their schedules.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's get to it.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 26

Happy Sunday! We have a round of basketball to finish.

We're on Round 13 of the 14 rounds of group play that narrow down the field of the last 64 NBA champions to 32. We've played half of the games of the round, and today we finish out the rest.

Through 25 days and 400 games, 20 of the 32 Elimination Round spots have been claimed. Groups F and H are back after a two day layoff, while Groups C and E return from one day off. Like with yesterday's post, I will post all the clinching scenarios following the game recaps for each group.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Time to play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 25

On this Saturday, we start the second-to-last round of group play. And with it, we near the completion of the elimination round field. When today's games are complete, we will have played 400.

With every team having just two games left in their groups, we're almost ready to advance to the Elimination Round. Almost half of the spots in that round have been claimed. Today, we have a chance to fill some of those spots.

To start off Round 13, Groups A and G will finish off back to backs, while Groups B and D are back in action after having yesterday off. Group D is finishing off a home-and-home series. Since today is the second to last day of games for these groups, I will also include the Elimination Round picture for each group.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's get started.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 24

It's Friday, and it's time for more basketball.

Today we finish out Round 12 of the group stage of this year's NBA Tournament of Champions. The elimination round field is not yet full, as 20 spots still have yet to be claimed.

Today, Group C will play for the first time in three days, while Groups A, E and G are back after one day off. Among these groups, four spots can be clinched this evening.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's head courtside.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 23

Everyone has just three games left to try and sneak into the elimination round of the NBA Tournament of Champions. So far, nine spots have been clinched. Today, we take a step towards filling the rest of the field.

To start off Round 12, Groups D, F and H will return to action after a day off, while Group B plays the second game of a back to back. Among these games, there is a chance for six spots to be clinched.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Time to play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 22

We've hit the three-quarter mark of the group stage in the NBA Tournament of Champions. Teams are running out of time; just one week remains until the string is played out and we find out who will continue playing for the title.

Today, we conclude Round 11 with a few teams having a chance to lock up a spot in the elimination round. Groups A and B have had the last two days to regroup and prepare, while Groups E and G only had the one. Group E is finishing a home-and-home series.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's see the results.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 21

320 games are in the books. Another 128 remain to be played in this stage of the NBA Tournament of Champions.

We've been at this for three weeks now, and today we begin the 11th round of group play. 64 teams entered, and now four have been eliminated from contention for the Championship of Champions.

In the effort to narrow that field down to 32, we find a familiar schedule for this round: Groups D and H will return to action after a day off, while Groups C and F are playing the second game of a back to back.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Time for tipoff.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 20

It's kind of hard to believe that I've been at this for 20 days now. But we're entering the home stretch, and after today, just four games remain for each team to jockey for position.

Today we're concluding Round 10 of group play in the Tournament of Champions, where just one team has a chance to punch their ticket to the elimination round, and we also have one game that is a guaranteed elimination for whoever loses.

In finishing out this round, Groups E and G are playing after a day off, while Groups C and F return from a two day break.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's get to it.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 19

Happy Sunday! We're back to start yet another round of group play in the NBA Tournament of Champions, and in so doing, surpass the 300-game mark for the tournament.

This is the tenth round of a double round robin. So far, of the 32 openings in the elimination round, none have been claimed, though a few teams are close, and two teams have already been eliminated. In this round, a handful of teams can lock up a spot. So who gets first crack?

Today, Groups A and B will finish off a back to back, while Groups D and H return from a day off.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Time to play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 18

Happy Saturday! We're onto another day of basketball games, and the conclusion of another round of round robin play.

Today we're concluding the ninth round of action as we've pretty clearly established the cream of the crop, but all 32 elimination round spots remain up for grabs.

Yesterday's randomizer guaranteed a day off for everyone: Groups A, B, E and G are all back after they each played on Thursday.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's head to the hardwood.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 17

Another July Friday brings another batch of basketball games as we start Round 9 of group play of the NBA Tournament of Champions.

Each team has played eight games to date, and while we haven't eliminated anyone or locked up any elimination round spots, we're getting closer. Several teams have separated themselves from the pack, and they have a chance to do so even more today.

In today's action, the randomizer guaranteed everyone a day off: Groups C, D, F and H are all back in action after one day off.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Time for some basketball.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 16

Today, we top 250 games played as we conclude Round 8 of group play of the NBA Tournament of Champions.

We've seen a lot of great performances over the first 15 days of the tournament, and today, we're playing 16 more games as we get closer to the elimination rounds.

On today's schedule, Groups A and G will be returning after a two-day break, while Groups B and E are back at it after just one day off. Group E concludes a home-and-home series started on Tuesday.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 15

Welcome back! On this hump day, we return to NBA Tournament of Champions action.

We're officially halfway through group play and have two more weeks' worth of games to find the best NBA champion of the last 64 years. Within the next week, we will start seeing teams lock up bids to the elimination round while others find themselves merely playing out the string.

In today's games, Groups C and F will return to the court after one day off, while Groups D and H finish off the second game of a back to back. Group F is finishing a home-and-home series today.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's get the second half started.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 14

Today, we hit the halfway mark of the group stage of the 2015 NBA Tournament of Champions.

We began this with the start of July, playing 16 games per day. After today's set of games, everyone will have played seven so far. No one has clinched anything yet, but we probably won't see that for another week or so.

So today to officially reach the halfway point, Groups B, D and E will tip off after a two day layoff, while Group H is returning from a one day hiatus.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's see where we stand.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 13

Today, we'll play our 200th game of the NBA Tournament of Champions. And with it, half of our teams will have played seven of their 14 scheduled group play games.

There's been a lot going on in the past two weeks, with just two teams sitting on 6-0 records: the '96 Bulls and the '86 Celtics. Meanwhile, we have several groups where the top of the standings are tight. This was the idea going in.

So today, Group F will return after a day off, while Groups A, C and G will be back in action after playing yesterday.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 12

Another Sunday, another batch of basketball games featuring the best teams in NBA history.

We're now into the sixth round of group play, and every day gets us closer to the elimination round and the competition stepping up. Today, we're finishing out the round. Groups A and C will return to the court after having yesterday off, while Groups G and H are back in action after a two day layoff. Group C is finishing a group home-and-home series today.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's tip off.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 11

We are through five rounds of our double round robin in this year's edition of the NBA Tournament of Champions. So far, three teams still have unblemished records, which will go a long way for them in their quest of being crowned the best team of all time. We also have some tight races, as four groups are tied at the top, and seven of the eight have a team within one game of the leader.

It's been competitive to say the least so far, and today, we begin Round 6. Groups D and E will return to action after a day off, while Groups B and F will play the second game of a back-to-back.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play some basketball.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 10

It's kind of crazy to think that we're ten days into this craziness already. Yet here we are, finishing out the fifth round of a double round robin to find the best NBA champion of the past 64 years.

Today's games pose some intriguing matchups. Groups A and F return after a one-day layoff, while Groups B and C are back after having the last two off. Today's slate will see some fun matchups, including probably the best game of the tournament to date between the '71 Bucks and defending Champion of Champions in the '96 Bulls.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 9

It's another day, and with it, another batch of games for the 2015 NBA Tournament of Champions.

Everyone has played four games to this point, so the have's are starting to separate themselves from the have-not's. Six teams remain undefeated through four rounds, while eight teams, one from each group, are still working towards that first Tournament of Champions victory.

Today, Groups G and H are back at it after playing yesterday, while Groups D and E return from a one day break. Group D is finishing up a home-and-home series in this round.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's go courtside for today's action.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 8

We're a quarter of the way through the group play portion of the NBA Tournament of Champions. 21 days' worth of games have yet to be played as we search for the best NBA team of all time.

Yesterday's batch saw half of the field play their fourth game of the tournament, so today the other half will catch back up. Groups A and H will return to the court after a day off, while Groups F and G are back after a two-day layoff.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Here are today's results.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 7

The 2015 NBA Tournament of Champions rolls on, as today we play the 100th game of the tournament.

We're still very early in group play, as every team has played three games to this point. Some early leads have been built in some groups, while in others, we already have some fantastic races to first place and early home court advantage in the elimination rounds, especially in one group that plays today.

Today as we start Round 4, Groups B and C will finish the back end of a back-to-back, while Groups D and E are back in action after a day off.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 6

It's Monday, but the NBA Tournament of Champions marches on to its sixth day of games.

It's still very early in the tournament, so even the teams in an 0-2 hole like the 2012 Heat or the 1985 Lakers have time to redeem themselves. Likewise, hot-starting teams like the '96 Bulls or the '95 Rockets can add to their early advantage. All get that chance today.

Groups B and C are getting their first action in three days, while Groups A and H got the standard one day off. It's all random, and since the pattern is staying in groups, no team in a given group is given an unfair advantage in terms of rest. Group H, however, gets the weird schedule quirk of having this round be the conclusion of home-and home series from Day 4.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Here we go.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 5

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July! Continue to enjoy your weekend, and with it... enjoy some more basketball.

We're through two rounds of the 2015 NBA Tournament of Champions group stage with another dozen still to go. Several undefeated teams still remain, including nine that are playing today.

Today, we begin Round 3 of Group Play. Groups E and G are playing back to back (with Group E all finishing a home-and-home), while Groups D and F return from a day off.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's get to it.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 4

Happy Fourth of July! After spending last year's Fourth in Hawaii with my wife and watching fireworks on a boat, we're still going to watch fireworks... plus I'm working with some.

We're now four days into the 2015 NBA Tournament of Champions, and yesterday we had 32 teams play their second games of group play. Today, the remaining 32 catch up to the pack.

Group G returns to the court after two days off, while Groups A, E and H only had a single day. Since there's no intergroup play yet, fatigue won't play an unfair factor.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Enjoy the holiday basketball!

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 3

Two days in... 32 games played. The 2015 NBA Tournament of Champions is well underway.

So on Day 3, half of the teams will play their second game of the tournament. How many teams will get off to a 2-0 start and get a good jump on the elimination round? How many will fall into an 0-2 hole that they'll need to climb out of?

Again, because of the sheer numbers, we're splitting each round up over two days and using a random number generator to decide which groups are playing on the first day of each round. This will probably mean that some teams will have to play a back-to-back, but they would follow this up with at least one day off.

So today, Group D will play back to back, while Groups B, C and F are back at it following a day off. Once again, I'll include a link in each group header to the group page so you can see the schedule and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's take you to court level for the tip.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 2

32 teams have played their opening game of the redone incarnation of the Tournament of Champions. Today, the remaining teams get their chance.

The idea behind the group play is that over the span of the month of July, the last 64 NBA champions will play 14 games in a double round robin fashion, with each round of the group play lasting two days. Yesterday, four groups were randomly picked to kick things off. Today, Groups A, D, E and G will open their play.

It's important to note again: based on the fact that I'm deciding who plays on the first day of each round by a random number generator, it's probable that some teams that play today will have to turn around and play tomorrow too. The trade off will come in where they get at least one day off following those games.

Below, I will include links to each group's page in their respective headers so you can view scores and standings. On those pages, the team on the right will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here. Let's play.

2015 NBA Tournament of Champions: Group Play Day 1

We've had a few days to get ready. And today... we begin.

Following the conclusion of the 2015 NBA Finals, I introduced the second running of the NBA Tournament of Champions. The last 64 NBA champions will all compete to find out who the best team of all time is. Will the 1996 Chicago Bulls repeat? Or will someone else find their way to the top of the mountain?

Because of the sheer volume of games, I'm spreading out each round of the double round robin over two days. That means we'll have 16 games for each of the next 28 days. In an effort to keep things fresh daily, I'm using a random number generator to pick out the teams that will be playing the first day of each round, with the remaining groups going the second day. Sometimes, this will mean playing back-to-backs, but with the tradeoff of at least one day off, perhaps two following it. After playing around with the settings, we will be following the round schedules set up by tournamentscheduler.net, since the order of games has been fully randomized.

So without further ado, let's get the tournament started. To kick things off, Groups B, C, F and H will all play. Each group header below will link to the group's page so you can view scores and standings.
The team on the right on the group page will be considered the home team for all games. All game simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. To view player and team stats for the tournament, click here.