NBA In-Season Tournament
As we prepare for night 3 of the NBA In-Season Tournament, let’s see where all of our teams stand, after 2 nights of competition. We’ll start with each eastern conference group, then look at the knockout settings.
In Group A, the Philadelphia 76ers & Indiana Pacers have 1-0 records. The Atlanta Hawks are the only team in the group who haven’t participated in the tournament, yet. The Cleveland Cavaliers & Detroit Pistons each have a 0-1 record. The Pacers were victorious at home against the Cavaliers (121-116) on November 3rd, the opening night of the tournament.
The 76ers went to the Motor City & defeated the Pistons (114-106), this past Friday. Due to having a greater margin of victory (76ers won by 8; Pacers won by 5), the 76ers lead the group, but that could change after tonight’s game, when the Pacers visit Philly. Also, the Hawks will finally play a tournament game, as they visit the Pistons.
In Group B, the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, & Milwaukee Bucks have records of 1-0. The New York Knicks have a 0-1 record. The Washington Wizards have a 0-2 record. On November 3rd, the Bucks were victorious at home against the Knicks (110-105) and the Heat were victorious at home against the Wizards (121-114).
This past Friday, the Hornets went to Washington DC & defeated the Wizards (124-117). Despite both teams having 7-point victories, the Hornets lead the group, because they scored more points than the Heat did. However, with the Heat vsiting the Hornets in the Queen City, tonight, the playoff picture for both teams will change dramatically.
In Group C, the Boston Celtics have a record of 1-0. The Brooklyn Nets have a record of 1-1. The Toronto Raptors & Orlando Magic have yet to participate. The Chicago Bulls have a 0-1 record. On November 3rd, the Nets went to the Windy City & defeated the Bulls (109-107). This past Friday, the Celtics were victorious at home against the Nets (121-107). The Magic will finally experience tournament action, when they visit the Nets. The Raptors will make their tournament debut on Friday, when they host the Celtics.
As for the current picture of the eastern conference knockout stage, the Celtics would currently have the number 1 seed, thanks to their 14-point margin of victory. The 76ers would have the number 2 seed, the Hornets would have the number 3 seed, & the Heat (thanks to having 2 fewer points scored against them than the Pacers had scored against them) would be the wild card team. Now, let’s take a look at the western conference.
In Group A, the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, & Portland Trail Blazers have 1-0 records. The Phoenix Suns have a 0-1 record. The Memphis Grizzlies have a 0-2 record. On November 3rd, in the only overtime game of the tournament (so far), the Trail Blazers were victorious at home against the Grizzlies (115-113).
This past Friday, the Jazz went to the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll & defeated the Grizzlies (127-121) and the Lakers went to the Valley & defeated the Suns (122-119). Thanks to having the biggest margin of victory (Jazz won by 6; Lakers won by 3; Trail Blazers won by 2), the Jazz lead the group. However, with the Trail Blazers visiting Salt Lake City, tonight, things will be shaken up by the results.
In Group B, (the defending NBA Champion) Denver Nuggets & Houston Rockets have 1-0 records. The Dallas Mavericks have record of 1-1. The New Orleans Pelicans & Los Angeles Clippers have 0-1 records. On November 3, the Nuggets were victorious at home against the Mavericks (125-114). This past Friday, the Rockets were victorious at home against the Pelicans (104-101) and the Mavericks were victorious at home against the Clippers (144-126). It doesn’t take a math expert to see why the Nuggets lead the group. Tonight, the Mavericks visit the Big Easy to play the Pelicans and the Clippers visit the Mile High City to play the Nuggets.
In Group C, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, & Golden State Warriors have 1-0 records. The San Antonio Spurs have a 0-1 record. The Oklahoma City Thunder have a 0-2 record. On November 3rd, the Warriors went to OKC & defeated the Thunder (141-139). This past Friday, the Timberwolves went to Alamo City & defeated the Spurs (117-110) and the Kings were victorious at home against the Thunder (105-98). Just like the Hornets & Heat in the east, the Timberwolves & Kings won their games by 7 points. Thanks to scoring more points, the Timberwolves lead the group. Tonight, the Thunder host the Spurs and the Warriors host the Timberwolves.
The current picture of the western conference knockout stage has the Nuggets as the number 1 seed, thanks to an 11-point margin of victory. The Timberwolves have the number 2 seed, the Jazz have the number 3 seed, & the Kings would be the wild card team.
