NBA In-Season Tournament Update: Lakers, Pacers Secure Quarterfinal Spots
In the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers have stamped their tickets to the knockout stage. The Lakers maintained an unblemished 4-0 record in group play by dominating the Utah Jazz with a commanding 131-99 victory. This win solidified their grasp on the top spot in the West’s Group A and a guaranteed top-two seed. Their impressive +74-point differential positions them favorably for the top seed, pending the outcomes of upcoming IST games on Friday and next Tuesday that will determine their hosting responsibilities.
Joining them in the quarterfinals are the Indiana Pacers, who orchestrated a stunning comeback from a 20-point deficit to secure a historic 157-152 win, marking one of the highest-scoring games in NBA history. With a 3-0 record and holding the tiebreaker against the Cleveland Cavaliers, whom they defeated on the tournament’s opening night, the Pacers are firmly in control of their group. They’re set to complete their group stage facing off against Detroit on Friday.
In the Eastern conference, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, both with 2-0 records, are leading their respective groups, while the Miami Heat remain frontrunners for the wild card spot. Meanwhile, in the West, Friday’s games will decide the leaders of the remaining groups, with potential shifts in standings based on outcomes.
The tournament format involves each conference being divided into three groups of five teams, playing group-stage games on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout November. The top eight teams—comprising six group winners and two wild-card entries—will progress to the knockout stage in early December.
While the Lakers and Pacers are setting the pace, the tournament promises more intense action with upcoming matches scheduled on Nov. 24 and 28, and the knockout stage set to kick off on Dec. 4. For teams eliminated from contention, there are still regular-season games scheduled for Dec. 6 and 8.
The tournament’s excitement builds with every game, highlighting the unique city edition uniforms and specially designed courts for this season. The pursuit of the championship in Las Vegas adds to the anticipation, promising thrilling basketball in the coming weeks.
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