2023-11-19 23:27:53
The NBA and its commissioner Adam Silver implemented this year the “In-Season Tournament”, a cup format tournament that aims to give more excitement to the long regular season. Thus, the results of the matches determine not only the group positions, but also the conference tables. With most teams having already played at least two games, the positions are beginning to take shape.
West Group A
Made up of the Lakers, Jazz, Suns, Grizzlies and Trail Blazers, Group A is led by the Los Angeles team, led by the duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis, with a record of three wins and 14 points in favor. The group’s second runner-up is Utah, which, despite having lost its last game against Phoenix, remains with two wins and one loss; To qualify, they must beat the Lakers in their remaining game, by a wide point difference.
Suns come from behind, with a victory and a loss. He has two games remaining with rivals who on paper appear weaker, in Memphis and Portland. If they win both and the Lakers lose, they could qualify as first in the group, depending on the point difference. Both the Blazers (1-2) and Grizzlies (0-3) are out of contention to advance to the round.
Made up of the reigning champions Nuggets, Pelicans, Rockets, Maverics and Clippers, group B has a tie for first place between Denver and New Orleans, both with two wins and one loss. However, the point difference (+7) favors Zion Williamson’s team in the tie-braker.
Third is Houston with one victory and one loss, while Dallas and Los Angeles are positioned, with almost no chance of entering the knockout phase, with one victory and two losses each.
Denver and New Orleans have a game ahead, against the Rockets and Clippers respectively, and whoever wins will likely advance. If both win, the points will define who advances.
West Group C
Kings, Timberwolves, Warriors, Thunder and Spurs make up one of the most even groups in the tournament. Both Minnesota and Sacramento managed to take advantage with two wins each; They face each other next Friday and the winner would practically guarantee a place in the final phase.
Golden State (one win and one loss) could come in as a surprise but it doesn’t depend on itself. Oklahoma (1-2) and San Antonio (0-3) are already mathematically eliminated.
East Group A
In the Eastern conference, Pacers, Sixers, Cavaliers, Hawks and Pistons are competing in group A. Indiana, after an important victory against Philadelphia, managed to position itself first with two victories while the team led by the MVP, Joel Embiid, fell to second place with two wins but one defeat to their credit.
Cleveland and Atlanta, with a victory and a loss each, face each other on Tuesday the 28th, with the chance to put pressure on the fight to qualify. Detroit, with three losses in the tournament, closes the group in last position, already eliminated.
East Group B
Bucks, Heat, Knicks, Hornets and Wizards are part of group B with Miami and Milwaukee leading with two wins and zero losses. The 2021 champion and last season’s finalist face each other for the last date of the group; If both were undefeated, their match would define who advances.
New York could advance to the round if it wins its next two games. First they face Miami and then Charlotte. If they achieve positive results against both, they would need a heavy defeat by Milwaukee to qualify. The Hornets (1-2) and Wizards (0-3) are already eliminated from contention.
East Group C
Celtics, Nets, Magic, Raptors and Bulls are part of the last group in the Eastern conference. Boston leads the group with two wins, with Brooklyn as second, also with two wins but one loss on its record. The Celtics face the Magic next Friday with the chance to seal their pass to the next round, if they win.
Orlando won its only game in the tournament, being third in the group, while Toronto, with one defeat, occupies fourth position, only above Chicago, which lost in both of its appearances.
The “In-Season Tournament” is being a success by the NBA to give more intensity to the regular season. Matches with Playoff intensity, dedicated fields and a great predisposition on the part of the players make this tournament a great experience for fans.
How the In-season Tournament is defined
Let us remember that the winners of their groups and the two best runners-up qualify for a direct elimination event. The semifinalists of the tournament will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the championship and receive the first NBA Cup.
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