Celtics’ Jayson Tatum ‘not a fan’ of point differential tiebreaker in NBA In-Season Tournament

Say this for the NBA: It will have some drama for the last night of group play in the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

There are 8 videogames left — all possibly having ramifications on who will advance.

All groups play 4 videogames in the group phase; 14 groups are currently done and the other 16 groups wrap up their group slates on Tuesday. Every group winner will reach the quarterfinals, and the finest second-place group from each conference will make a wild-card area.

There’s a actually great opportunity that tiebreakers to different groups with 3-1 (or perhaps even 2-2) records will come into play. The veryfirst tiebreaker is head-to-head, and the 2nd is point differential — which definitely raises the possibility that a group with a lead as time is running out in an already-decided videogame may appearance for more points in the last seconds.

“We’ll simply focus on attempting to get a win tomorrow,” stated Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, whose group plays host to Milwaukee on Tuesday. “That’s the most crucial thing. We understand what the differential has to be. You can’t go into a videogame thinking that. That’s not how you win videogames versus excellent groups.”

[Related: What is the NBA In-Season Tournament? 2023 Bracket, groups, format, NBA Cup explained]

Indiana and the Los Angeles Lakers are the just 2 groups that haveactually protected quarterfinal areas. Both went 4-0 in group play and are ensured of having a home videogame for the start of the knockout round next week — either Dec. 4 or Dec. 5.

From there, 16 groups stay alive for the staying 6 quarterfinal areas. The simplest things to figure out are these: if Milwaukee beats Miami and if Sacramento beats Golden State, then the Bucks and Kings will be the other 2 quarterfinal hosts.

Other than that, excellent luck figuring out all the possible tiebreakers.

“I understand Tuesday is complex,” Boston forward Jayson Tatum stated. “There’s a million various things that can occur. So, that (stuff) is a little challenging. But I believe it’s been fantastic. It offers guys something to appearance forward to early in the season.”

The Celtics are one of the groups that might see their competition fate chose by the point differential tiebreaker. Tatum likes the competition in basic; that tiebreaker, not so much.

“It’s all about appreciating the videogame and appreciating your challengers,” Tatum stated. “So, that part, I’m not a fan of.”

WHO IS STILL ALIVE?

This one is simple: the Pacers and Lakers are in, and the other 6 quarterfinal areas will go to some mix of these groups: Cleveland, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Charlotte, Orlando, Boston, Brooklyn, Phoenix, New Orleans, Houston, Sacramento, Minnesota and Golden State.

WHO IS OUT?

Detroit, Washington, Toronto, Chicago, Utah, Portland, Memphis, Denver, Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City and San Antonio haveactually been gottenridof.

EAST GROUP A

Standings: Indiana 4-0, Cleveland 2-1, Philadelphia 2-2, Atlanta 1-2, Detroit 0-4.

Tuesday videogame: Atlanta at Cleveland.

Outlook: Must-win for Atlanta, and the Hawks would still requirement a lot of assistance to advance. Cleveland getsridof Philadelphia and Atlanta with a win, however it mostlikely requires to be by a substantial margin to provide the Cavs much hope of advancing.

EAST GROUP B

Standings: Milwaukee 3-0, New York 2-1, Miami 2-1, Charlotte 1-2, Washington 0-4.

Tuesday videogames: Charlotte at New York, Milwaukee at Miami.

Outlook: The Bucks, Knicks and Heat might all still win the group. Charlotte can advance if the Cavs, Knicks, Heat, Boston and Brooklyn all lose, and even then the Hornets would have to beat the Knicks by a lot. Like, a entire lot.

EAST GROUP C

Standings: Orlando 3-1, Boston 2-1, Brooklyn 2-1, Toronto 1-2, Chicago 0-3.

Tuesday videogames: Chicago at Boston, Toronto at Brooklyn.

Outlook: The Bulls and Raptors can play spoilers. If Brooklyn loses, Orlando wins the group (and the Magic might win it other methods, too). Boston should win to have a opportunity.

WEST GROUP A

Standings: Los Angeles Lakers 4-0, Phoenix 3-1, Utah 2-2, Portland 1-3, Memphis 0-4.

Tuesday videogames: None.

Outlook: The Suns will sit around to discover out their fate. They would advance with a Minnesota loss to Oklahoma City. Otherwise, tiebreakers come into play.

WEST GROUP B

Standings: New Orleans 3-1, Houston 2-1, Denver 2-2, Dallas 1-2, Los Angeles Clippers 1-3.

Tuesday: Houston at Dallas.

Outlook: Finally, an simple one. If Houston beats Dallas, the Rockets win Group B. If Dallas beats Houston, New Orleans wins Group B.

WEST GROUP C

Standings: Sacramento 3-0, Minnesota 2-1, Golden State 2-1, Oklahoma City 1-2, San Antonio 0-4.

Tuesday: Golden State at Sacramento, Oklahoma City at Minnesota.

Outlook: The Kings win the group with a win. The Warriors requirement a win to have a opportunity to advance as a wild-card or the group winner. Minnesota likewise requires a win to have any possibility.

Reporting by The Associated Press.