We are experiencing an unprecedented year in NBA history, due to the implementation of the In-Season Tournament. As we have seen in the Western Conference, the matchups will also be highly contested and competitive in the East, as we expect all teams to give their all from this point on in the competition.
How do eastern teams stand ahead of the quarterfinals this Dec. 4 and 5? Here’s the preview.
Boston Celtics (3-1) vs. Indiana Pacers (4-0)
We expect this matchup to be one of the most competitive of the entire tournament. The Pacers have yet to lose any games with a spotless winning record thus far, making the most in every possession on both ends of the court, especially on the offensive side, leading the entire In-Season Tournament in point production, with 546.
In contrast, the Boston Celtics had a hard time advancing to the quarterfinals in a highly competitive East Group C, with a triple tie at the end of the group play. However, the Celtics are still one of the best teams in the league, as they hold the best record in the regular season standings.
Players to Watch:
Tyrese Haliburton: 27.0 PPG 3.6 RPG 11.8 APG
Myles Turner: 16.6 PPG 7.8 RPG 1.4 APG
Jayson Tatum: 27.4 PPG 8.7 RPG 4.1 APG
Jaylen Brown: 21.8 PPG 4.9 RPG 3.4 APG
Winner Prediction: Indiana Pacers
New York Knicks (3-1) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (4-0)
It is a pretty interesting matchup to see. They both were a part of the East Group B, where the Bucks defeated the Knicks in game one. However, the Knicks managed to win all of the remaining three games and clinch a spot for the quarterfinals, shining offensively, but most importantly, on the defensive side.
On the other hand, Milwaukee, though not as dominant as they could potentially be, still managed to clinch first place in the quarterfinals, remaining undefeated in this In-Season Tournament. Even though the Bucks are the clear favorite to take the win and advance to the semi-finals, it would all come down to how each team exploits the opponent’s vulnerabilities.
Players to watch:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.9 PPG 10.8 RPG 4.9 APG
Brook Lopez: 13.5 PPG 4.9 RPG 1.4 APG
Julius Randle: 20.4 PPG 10.2 RPG 5.5 APG
Jalen Brunson: 24.9 PPG 3.7 RPG 5.5 APG
Winner Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks
Text sources: nba.com
