Wow, after a long day of no NBA basketball, we get back-to-back days with two in-season tournament knockout games. A playoff game in December for eight teams with a trip to go to Vegas this weekend. I am so excited to watch a one-game series for NBA teams as anything can happen in one game. As the IST Enthusiast, I expect each of these games to have high intensity and energy.
Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers: The first game we have to kick-off the Knockout Stage, is the Celtics traveling to Indiana to take on the NBA’s #1 ranked offense. The Celtics currently have the best record in the NBA and come into this game as 5.5 point favorites. The Celtics have a top 5 defense and have the guards on the perimeter with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown to try to contain the frontrunner for the IST MVP Tyrese Haliburton. The first time these teams met, the C’s put up 155 and beat the Haliburton-less Pacers by 51 points. This game will obviously be way closer.
The Pacers are coming off one of their best wins of the season beating the Heat in Miami without Haliburton. The Pacers shot 66% from the field in that game and will need to continue their hot streak to beat the Celtics tonight. The X-Factor for the Pacers in this game is Buddy Hield. When Buddy gets going, he makes this Pacers offense unstoppable and for the NBA player that has played the most games without going to the playoffs, they will need him to hit a few threes tonight to stay in the game. I hope the Pacers can do their thing tonight but I expect the best player in this game, Jayson Tatum, to take over as no one can guard him on Indy. Celtics by 10.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings: This game is probably the least hyped up game of this round but I think is the most competitive. These two teams match-up with each other very well and played each other two games in a row a couple weeks ago where the Pelicans won both matchups in New Orleans. The Pelicans have been one of the most interesting teams this season. The Pels have one of the most talented rosters in the league and just got back CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III from injury. They have big, physical defenders like Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels that will make the Western Conference player of the week, De’Aaron Fox, work for his points.
On the Kings side, this is the type of team that is built for the in-season tournament, especially a home game. A devastating loss in the playoffs last year to the Warriors, I expect the Kings to be fired up. The X-Factor for the Kings is Kevin Huerter. When Red Velvet hits shots, the Kings win games. The matchup that I am excited to see is Jonas Valanciunas against Domantas Sabonis. JV did a really good job on Sabonis the two times these teams have played. I think this will be a very close game that Zion Williamson will dominate. I expect the Pels to keep it close and possibly prevent the beam from being lit tonight.
New York Knicks @ Milwaukee Bucks: My New York Knicks are going to Milwaukee to avenge their opening IST loss. The Knicks have been playing some really good basketball and have been dominant in this tournament, using their point differential to get the last spot in the East. Donte Divencenzo and Josh Hart have been great off the bench recently. Randle just won Eastern Conference player of the week and Jalen Brunson is playing out of this world. I know the Knicks will be come out strong and really lock in defensively. When the Bucks beat the Knicks in the first game, the Knicks did not have RJ.
I am not sure what to make of this Bucks team. Obviously, they have two generational talents with Giannis and Dame but they just lost to the Bulls without their two all-stars. Brook Lopez has been real solid for them too. This will also be a back and forth game. If the Bucks role players like Connaughton, Beasley, and Crowder get hot and hit shots, the Bucks will win. Thibs gives the Knicks a huge coaching advantage over the first year coach Adrian Griffin. The Knicks will be going to Vegas and will beat the Bucks.
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: This is another rematch of an In-Season Tournament game where the Lakers beat the Suns in Phoenix. Devin Booker did not play in that game and will be playing tomorrow. The Suns will definitely need Book to go off to beat this Lakers team. The Lakers have been on and off this year. Since they traded for AD, he has always been the player that makes them go. You never know which Anthony Davis you will see and Nurkic, coming off a 31 point game, will have to play like he did in the first game against the Lakers to limit AD to under 20 points. For the Lakers, Jarred Vanderbilt just played in his first game this season and Rui should be back tomorrow. These big defenders will be needed to help contain KD and Book.
In all honestly, I do not want Lebron winning the first ever In-Season Tournament. This seamlessly meaningless feature will be debated about if it is good or not for a legacy infinite times more if the Lakers win the IST. However, LeBron vs KD always makes for much watch TV and Vegas thinks this game should be close as the Lakers are 1.5 point favorites. With Reddish, Prince, and the two guys I mentioned in the previous paragraph, the Lakers have plenty of defenders to throw at the Suns. Whoever plays better between the Lakers role players and the Suns role players like Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen will win this game. Give me the Suns.
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