The In-Season Tournament group schedule is here and today I am going to dive into each group, and preview the best games and who wins each group.
First, I want to tell you the rules of the In-Season Tournament. There are 6 groups, 3 in each conference. These groups were decided randomly based on the regular season standings from last season. For example, the Bucks, Celtics, and 76ers were put into different groups since they were the top 3 seeds last season. Each team will play 4 group play games on select “Tournament Nights” on Tuesdays and Fridays in November. Then 3 winners from each group, plus one wild card in each Conference, will advance to the knockout stage. Those games will be played on Monday, December 4th and Tuesday, December 5th, with the winners advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas on Thursday, December 7th and the winners of those games will play in the championship on Saturday, December 9th. Excluding the championship game, every game during the In-Season Tournament will count towards the regular season standings, meaning that only 1 extra game will be played.
If that does not make sense, here is Richard Jefferson explaining how it works:
Anyways, here is the preview for each group.
West Group A
The first west group is loaded, it includes the Grizzlies, Suns, Lakers, Jazz, and Trail Blazers. With Ja Morant being suspended for the first 25 games, and thus the group stage, the Suns and Lakers are the clear-cut best teams in the group. If Damian Lillard is still playing for the Trail Blazers, it will be interesting to see how they stack up in this group but if he is not, they probably have no chance. The Jazz are the wild card of the group, I could see them making a push to finish in 2nd or 3rd in this group.
Best 5 games
5. Suns at Jazz, Friday, Nov. 17 at 10pm/EST on ESPN
Utah is frisky, they are well coached and are really long and athletic and with the addition of John Collins could give the Suns some issues with their size. This is a game to keep an eye on.
4. Suns at Grizzlies, Friday, Nov. 24 at 5pm/EST on NBATV
This game has a lot of story lines, the fit of Marcus Smart in Memphis, Bradley Beal in Phoenix, how do the Grizzlies look without Ja Morant. This will be the last game for each team in group play so there could be a lot on the line as well.
3. Jazz at Grizzlies, Friday, Nov. 10 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
I am excited for this game. These are 2 good, fun teams who are both tough and have some good players on them. Even without Ja Morant, this game will be a fun watch.
2. Jazz at Lakers, Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 10pm/EST on TNT
Both teams are big and athletic, the Lakers have better guard play but this game will be fun. Just like the Phoenix at Memphis, this is also the last game for both teams so they could both have a lot on the line.
1. Lakers at Suns, Friday, Nov. 10 at 10pm/EST on ESPN
This is the marquee game of the group, possibly the whole group stages, between 2 of the marquee teams of the league. LeBron vs. Durant, with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Anthony Davis also included, there are stars all over the court, it’s just a bummer this won’t be the first matchup between these 2 teams as they are slated to play on October 26th.
Group Picks
5. Trail Blazers
4. Grizzlies
3. Jazz
2. Lakers
1. Suns
I think the Suns are better than the Lakers and with that game in Phoenix, I expect the Suns to win the group, though keep an eye on the Jazz. The Grizzlies slip to 4 due to the absence of Ja Morant.
West Group B
Another stacked group. The defending champion Denver Nuggets are joined by the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Houston Rockets in group B. None of these teams provide cake walks and I think every game in the group could be a fun one, full of games that have interesting storylines.
Best 5 games
5. Pelicans at Rockets, Friday, Nov. 10 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
The new look Rockets take on the Pelicans who should have Zion Williamson available in this game. This should be a good test for Houston to figure out where they are because they have been so bad for so long with the moves they made, it is time to start winning games led by coach Ime Udoka.
4. Mavericks at Pelicans, Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Again a good test for both these teams who missed the playoffs last season. With the duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving against the trio of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, this should be a fun game to watch.
3. Clippers at Nuggets, Tuesday Nov. 14 at 10pm/EST on TNT
The Nuggets seem to own the Clippers but maybe James Harden is on the court for this game for the Clippers. With or without Harden, it will be interesting to see this early season test for the Clippers in what is a massive season for them.
2. Clippers at Mavericks, Friday, Nov. 10 at 8:30pm/EST on NBA League Pass
The Clippers got hosed by having to go to Denver and to Dallas but that doesn’t takeaway the fact that this will be a fun game between 2 teams who desperately need to have good seasons.
1. Mavericks at Nuggets, Friday, Nov. 3 at 10pm/EST
This is quite the bang to start out the In-Season Tournament with. Will the Nuggets have a championship hangover? Are the Mavericks up for the task of winning in a place that was nearly impossible to win in last season?
Group Picks
5. Rockets
4. Clippers
3. Pelicans
2. Mavericks
1. Nuggets
The champs deserve the respect and get picked to win this group. New Orleans over the Clippers is a bold take but I could see the Clippers losing both at Denver and at Dallas and losing one of the home games to the Pelicans or Rockets.
West Group C
Just like the other groups in the West, this group is stacked… notice a trend? The top 3 teams, the Kings, Warriors, and Timberwolves, all have a chance to be really good, and both Oklahoma City and San Antonio should be young frisky teams. This group will be a fun watch.
Best 5 games
5. Kings at Timberwolves, Friday, Nov. 24 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
I am back in on the Wolves… probably won’t pick them to finish second in the West again but they have a chance to be really good if they stay healthy. They showed some signs late last season, both regular season and postseason and this will be a good test for both teams. The game is also late in the group stages so this could mean a lot to both teams.
4. Warriors at Thunder, Friday, Nov. 3 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
This will be an awesome test early in the season for Oklahoma City, who showed real strides last season. The Warriors added Chris Paul this past offseason after a disappointing 2022-23 for them so they will also be interesting early in the season.
3. Timberwolves at Warriors, Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 10pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Last March, the Wolves walked into Golden State and beat the Warriors in what was a really fun game. Hopefully this game turns into an encore of that one.
2. Spurs at Thunder, Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7:30pm/EST on TNT
THE NBA IS FEATURING FUN YOUNG MATCHUPS ON NATIONAL TV!!!! Chet vs. Wemby will be so fun to see how they matchup against one another this early in their careers.
1. Warriors at Kings, Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 10pm/EST on TNT
A playoff 7-game rematch on the last day of group stage so this could be for all the marbles? Count me in. 2 really good teams that both could be playing to win the group, this will be fun. Though just like Lakers/Suns, it is rumored this is not the first matchup between these teams.
Group Picks
5. Spurs
4. Thunder
3. Timberwolves
2. Warriors
1. Kings
I expect that the Warriors/Kings game to be the winner wins the group and I think the Kings will win the game. Other than that, I don’t think the Spurs will be very successful in this group.
East Group A
With the Cavs and Sixers at the top of the group, I expect this group to be a good one. The Hawks, Pacers, and Pistons will provide challenges to both those teams as they try to win the group.
Best 5 games
5. Pistons at Pacers, Friday, Nov. 24 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
The matchup between Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Haliburton is what makes this game fun. There will be young players all over the court for this game and it should be the most fun Pistons/Pacers game we have had in a long time.
4. Pacers at Hawks, Tuesday, Nov 21 at 7:30pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Another awesome guard matchup, this time with Haliburton and Trae Young. The first full season of Quin Snyder is also on the horizon for the Hawks.
3. 76ers at Hawks, Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:30pm/EST on NBA League Pass
How does the Harden situation play out in Philadelphia? That is the question around the NBA right now. For this game, Trae Young vs. Joel Embiid is always fun to watch.
2. Hawks at Cavaliers, Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Just like Warriors/Kings this game could be what decides this group due to the uncertainty in Philadelphia. I think Cleveland has a chance to be really good this season with the additions of Max Strus and Georges Niang.
1. Cavaliers at 76ers, Tuesday Nov. 21 at 7:30pm/EST on TNT
This is the only national TV game in this group and it should be a good one, the 2 best teams in the group and what is one of the best games in the Eastern Conference group stage.
Group Picks
5. Pistons
4. Pacers
3. 76ers
2. Hawks
1. Cavaliers
I think that the issues in Philadelphia and that Sixers/Hawks game being in Atlanta lead to the Sixers finishing in 3rd place in this group. Cleveland, to me, is just plain better than the 76ers.
East Group B
This group is going to be a dog fight between the Bucks, Heat, and Knicks as all 3 teams are good basketball teams that have a legit claim to win this group. The Hornets and Wizards are going to be stepping stones for those teams.
Best 5 games
5. Heat at Hornets, Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Will Damian Lillard play for the Heat when this game tips off? Does it matter? The Hornets get Miles Bridges back and add Brandon Miller to the mix on a team that already has LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and P.J. Washington on it.
4. Hornets at Wizards, Friday, Nov. 10 at 7pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Who doesn’t want to watch the duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller square off against Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma? There is a mean comment on how this is the best chance either team has to winning a game in this tournament but I won’t say it.
3. Knicks at Bucks, Friday, Nov. 3 at 7:30pm/EST on ESPN
A big game to start off the tournament for both teams. I am really excited to see how the Knicks come off of an awesome season and how the Bucks respond off of last year’s embarrassment against the Heat.
2. Heat at Knicks, Friday, Nov. 24 at 7:30pm/EST on ESPN
A playoff rematch. Miami got the better of the Knicks last season but have lost some key players. This one will be fun.
1. Bucks at Heat, Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30pm/EST on TNT
This is going to rule and could be the best game of the group stages, especially if the Heat trade for Damian Lillard. It is on the last night as well so it could determine who wins the group. I cannot wait for this game.
Group Picks
5. Hornets
4. Wizards
3. Knicks
2. Heat
1. Bucks
I think the Bucks find a way to win this group because Miami’s roster is worse than it was last season… unless they trade for Lillard. Also, the Wizards being home for the Hornets and Knicks is an advantage in the race for 4th place.
East Group C
This is likely the most boring group. The Boston Celtics are the heavy favorites (-105 according to DraftKings) and I don’t see why they wouldn’t be. They are joined by the Nets, Bulls, Raptors, and Magic and not one of those teams are in the same universe as the Celtics when it comes to their rosters.
Best 5 games
5. Nets at Bulls, Friday, Nov. 3 at 8pm/EST on NBA League Pass
Both these teams are mostly running it back though it will be interesting to see what the Nets look like with a full training camp together.
4. Raptors at Magic, Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7pm/EST on NBA League Pass
The Magic are trending up, the Raptors are trending down. The loss of Fred VanVleet is big for Toronto and a Pascal Siakam trade remains a real possibility.
3. Nets at Celtics, Friday, Nov. 10 at 7:30pm/EST on ESPN
The last time the Nets played in Boston, they overcame a 28 point deficit to stun the C’s. The Celtics are a fascinating team entering the season as well due to the addition of Kristaps Porzingis and the losses of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams.
2. Bulls at Raptors, Friday, Nov. 24 at 7:30pm/EST on NBA League Pass
The rematch of the 9-10 play-in game from last season comes in at the number 2 spot. Not the most intriguing game ever but maybe Diar DeRozan will be screaming again.
1. Celtics at Magic, Friday, Nov. 24 at 2:30pm/EST on NBATV
This is the ultimate let down game situation for the Celtics. They lost 3 of 4 to the Magic last season and, like most teams do, they struggle with matinee games. They should win the game but this feels like the trap game of all trap games.
Group Picks
5. Raptors
4. Bulls
3. Magic
2. Nets
1. Celtics
The Celtics should sweep their way to the knockout rounds, not saying they will, but they absolutely should. Also, the Magic are going to be better than people expect this season.
That is my group stages In-Season Tournament preview. With the season remaining far away this will likely all change but it is always fun to react as soon as we get the schedule.
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