It feels like we’ve just set sail on the NBA’s In-Season Tournament voyage, yet we’re already navigating past the halfway point of the group stage. In the upcoming showdown, the Los Angeles Lakers strive to complete a flawless 4-0 record by clashing with the Utah Jazz, a victory securing their passage to the knockout phase.
But Tuesday’s fixtures offer more than just Lakers’ aspirations. The East’s Group A showcases pivotal clashes, notably the Indiana Pacers aiming to seal their dominance by confronting the Atlanta Hawks after triumphs against heavyweight rivals Philadelphia and Cleveland. A win there solidifies their hold on Group A via tiebreakers. Meanwhile, the Cleveland vs. Philadelphia showdown determines the second-place contender in the group, potentially offering a wildcard entry into the knockout phase, a precious opportunity given the singular wildcard slot per conference.
In the East, the Milwaukee Bucks lead Group B with a formidable 2-0 record and an impressive 23-point differential over the Miami Heat. Group C sees the Boston Celtics at the helm with an equally promising 2-0 standing. The Miami Heat narrowly hold a point differential tiebreaker over the Philadelphia 76ers for the wildcard berth. Over in the West, Friday’s matchups may decide the fate of the remaining groups. A Pelicans’ victory against the Clippers coupled with the Rockets’ loss to the Nuggets could secure New Orleans the Group B berth. Similarly, the Kings-Timberwolves game becomes a crucial decider for Group C leadership, with Minnesota eyeing the lead with 2-0 standing and advantageous head-to-head tiebreakers over Golden State and Sacramento. The West’s second-place team with the best point differential, currently the Jazz, clings to the wildcard spot.
While the Pistons, Wizards, Grizzlies, and Spurs have bid farewell to the tournament after elimination, they’ll continue competing as IST games contribute to regular season standings.
The In-Season Tournament, a novel addition, divides each conference into three groups of five teams, playing group stage matches on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout November. Notably, the teams are showcasing their city edition uniforms this season, playing on specially-designed courts.
As the tournament progresses, the top eight teams from each conference will advance to the knockout stage in early December. This includes six group winners alongside one wildcard entry per conference.
Below, find the 2023 In-Season Tournament schedule, scores, standings, and more details. All games aired on ESPN and NBA TV are available for streaming on Fubo (try for free).
Comments