Quarterfinals of the NBA in-season competition. Las Vegas next.
Early December brings four regular-season games. After the final buzzer, they were usually forgotten.
Quarterfinal games on Monday and Tuesday will determine which four teams go to Las Vegas this week to play for the NBA Cup and most of the $18 million prize fund in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
Monday's games include Boston at Indiana and New Orleans at Sacramento. New York plays Milwaukee and Phoenix plays the Lakers on Tuesday. Losers are out and will face another quarterfinal loser later this week. Winners go to the semifinals.
“I just want to make every appeal I can to our fans that we need the loudest building possible,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. To demonstrate that no good deed goes unpunished, we draw the best basketball squad
We play them at home. So, that matters. Our building must be loud and exuberant, and we must play a great game
Lakers, Kings, Pelicans, Bucks, Pacers, and Celtics reached the quarterfinals after winning their groups in the first round. Each conference's wild card was the Knicks or Suns.
“A lot at stake. Winner gets to Vegas, so everyone's excited, said Suns guard Devin Booker of Tuesday. It’ll be fun.”
Outlook: Brunson scored a tournament-high 45 points against the Bucks, and the Knicks have allowed the fewest points per game. The Bucks made 20 3-pointers in that game, so Lillard and Antetokounmpo can compete for one crown before focusing on the one they want in June.