By Adam Kerr
The NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals begin on Monday and it is filled with must-see matchups of some of the best teams in the league. Will one of the vets like LeBron or Kevin Durant move on, or will one of the younger teams make a name for themselves going into the new year? We’ll be going over each matchup and making our picks of who will advance, so go no further if you want to get the full picture of each matchup.
No. 2 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 3 Boston Celtics
This matchup may be different from many expected to happen going into the tournament, but it will be a very good one nonetheless. Currently, the first and sixth seeds in the Eastern Conference, Boston and Indiana will go head-to-head in a win-or-go-home game on Monday. Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum have been top-ten players in the league and they’re competing for something this early on in the season. Even with Haliburton being a top player, he will have to pass his way out of purgatory with all-defensive guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick white surely on his tail all night long. On the other side, Joe Mazzulla’s squad better get stretching before the match if they want to keep up with one of the fastest-paced offenses in NBA history. Injury-wise, there is no Kristaps Porzingis for Boston. Even with his absence, we’re going to pick the Celtics to move on in a close one in Indiana.
No. 2 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 3 New Orleans Pelicans
The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans will be the game to watch Monday night. Everyone now knows the Kings are one of the best teams in the West, and New Orleans somehow managed to win their group without their point guard. But now, CJ McCollum is back and the Pelicans are one of the best teams in the league when their big three is healthy. Even with this firepower in New Orleans, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and company are an elite squad. With this in mind, it will likely be a thriller in Sacramento on Monday. With how things have shaken out so far, we’re taking the Pelicans to upset the Beam Team and advance in the tournament.
No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. WC New York Knicks
The Bucks and Knicks seem to force their way into the primetime spot every time they play each other. This sounds like a complaint, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Most contests between the two Eastern teams are nail-biters that no NBA fan should miss. The Knicks have looked very solid so far, with Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett leading the way. The Bucks are an offensive juggernaut, but cannot seem to get their defense on the same level with their current roster. This seems like an even competition on the surface level, but there’s one factor that could make the big difference. Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are completely different animals in meaningful basketball, and now they are both on the same team as they try to compete for an NBA Cup. If they can do their thing like either of them do in the playoffs, the Knicks will be in for a long Tuesday night.
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. WC Phoenix Suns
Yet another even matchup to close out the In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday Night. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker lead the Valley to Hollywood to face off against LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ Lakers. The last time LeBron and Durant faced off knockout-round basketball like this was at the 2018 NBA finals. Of course, the stakes are much lower than that, but there is more motivation than they would have in a 1-of-82 regular season matchup. The Lakers are coming off of a convincing win against the Rockets as they become healthier, but Phoenix made this round without their big three on the court together. With that in mind, Bradley Beal seems unlikely to play on Tuesday, so the Lakers are in a good spot. If the Lakers stay consistent throughout the game and don’t let up massive runs at any point, it’s hard to imagine they don’t come through with a semifinal berth.
