This new and intriguing tournament has garnered much attention since its inception. While the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, there are still some lingering doubts and confusion surrounding the NBA In Season tournament format.

This is understandable as it is a relatively new concept that differs from traditional tournaments. However, let us dive into what makes this tournament unique and how it works with our NBA In-Season Tournament explained guide.

Group Stage

The group stage is structured to provide an equal opportunity for all teams to advance. This is done by dividing the 30 participating teams into six groups, with five in each group. These groups are carefully crafted considering factors like conference and previous season's records. Once the group stage games are completed, teams will be ranked based on their records. The top team from each group will then move on to the Knockout Round, along with two Wildcard teams.

Knockout Stage

The Knockout Round of the NBA Playoffs consists of eight teams vying for the ultimate prize - becoming In-Season Tournament champions. The six group winners and two wildcard teams, one from each conference, battle it out in a single-elimination bracket to determine who will emerge victorious. This format adds an extra layer of excitement as there is no room for error; each game is a do-or-die situation.

There are quarter-finals, which have since been played, semi-finals, and a final - the winner of which will be crowned In-Season Tournament Champions!

Knockout Rounds, also known as elimination rounds, are a phase in competition where participants are gradually eliminated until only one winner remains. This term is commonly used in sports tournaments and applies to the in-season tournament.

The concept of the knockout round is based on single-elimination brackets or tree diagrams. In this format, competitors face off against each other in a series of matches. The winners of each match advance to the next round, while the losing team or individual is eliminated from the competition.

As it stands, the four semi-finalists are the LA Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers.

Earlier in the campaign, the top two teams to advance from each group were as follows:

• West Group A: Lakers (1st), Phoenix Suns (2nd)
• West Group B: Pelicans (1st), Houston Rockets (2nd)
• West Group C: Sacramento Kings (1st), Minnesota Timberwolves (2nd)
• East Group A: Pacers (1st), Cleveland Cavaliers (2nd)
• East Group B: Bucks (1st), New York Knicks (2nd)
• East Group C: Boston Celtics (1st), Orlando Magic (2nd)

After the group stage, a few teams are catching the eye - most of them are from the Eastern division.

Here's how the NBA online betting oddsmakers have it:

Milwaukee Bucks (Odds: 2.6)

With previous NBA In Season betting favourites Boston Celtics out of the way, the Bucks are a clear favourite to get the job done now. They ran over the Knicks in the second half of the quarter-final on Tuesday. They were only led by three points going into half-time before finishing victorious in a 146-122 mauling. Giannis Antetokounmpo emphasised his importance to the team by recording a double-double in a statement victory.

Their 146-point total is a season-high for the Bucks, who are finally living up to their pre-season hype. They were creating scoring opportunities at every play and managed to shoot more than 60% from the field and more than 60% from outside the arc, the first time that has happened in a single game for the Bucks since 1985.

Los Angeles Lakers (Odds: 3.5)

It was a thrilling win over the Phoenix Suns in the quarter-final, with the Lakers holding off an incredible Kevin Durant-led comeback in the second half. They had cast a shadow all over the Suns in the first half to come in at half-time 59-47 ahead.

They have living legend LeBron James to thank for their advancement - the 38-year-old bagged 15 points in the last quarter to seal his side's progression.

If James can find his form again, it would be no surprise to see the Lakers advance to the final and add another trophy to James' glittering trophy cabinet. They are proving one of the more popular NBA In Season bets.

New Orleans Pelicans (Odds: 4.5)

The Pelicans were in exceptional form in their victory over the Kings (a team that won all four of their group games), with four players registering 10 points and five assists in a game for just the fifth time in the franchise's history.

Hebert Jones had his best performance of the season against the Kings, registering 20 points for the first time in his career. When he manages 15 points or more in a game, the Pelicans are 5-1 for the season. Put simply, if he plays well, so do the Pelicans.

Whether they have the strength in depth to challenge is another question, but they've got a great chance based off their previous showing.

The NBA In Season Tournament proposal was purely in addition to regular-season games.

But what exactly does this mean for the current structure of regular-season games? Are these in-season tournament games considered part of the regular season?

Yes, according to the NBA's proposal, in-season tournament games would count towards a team's regular-season record. This means that the outcome of these games would impact a team's overall standing and potential playoff seeding.

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is a popular form of sports betting that allows bettors to place wagers on games and events that are currently taking place. This type of betting provides a thrilling and dynamic experience for sports fans, as they can actively engage with the game while making real-time predictions.

NBA In Season bookmakers now offer live betting options, enabling bettors to place bets on games as they unfold. This adds an extra level of excitement and strategy to traditional sports betting. Here is a list of bookmakers that offer live streaming and live betting during in-season events.

We are all set for an exciting conclusion to the In Season Tournament - and while the Bucks are worthy favourites, any of the four semi-finalists are well equipped to win the entire competition and there are some tempting NBA betting odds available.

Whatever the result, the NBA In-Season Tournament can rank as a huge success for tournament organisers, with fans tuning in in their millions.