The inaugural NBA In-Season tournament has officially been announced and will surely draw major attention from fans early in the season. The In-Season tournament will begin on November 3rd and will run through December 9th which is when the championship game will take place. Each team has been divided into 6 groups, 3 per conference and will consist of the following teams:
West Group A: Grizzlies, Lakers, Suns, Jazz and Blazers
West Group B: Nuggets, Clippers, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Rockets,
West Group C: Kings, Warriors, Timberwolves, Thunder, and Spurs
East Group A: Sixers, Cavaliers, Hawks, Pistons, and Pacers
East Group B: Bucks, Knicks, Heat, Wizards, and Hornets
East Group C: Celtics, Nets, Raptors, Bulls, and Magic
With the combination of the teams from each group comes some of the most anticipated matchups of the 2023-24 season. The NBA deserves a lot of credit for the teams placed in each group as they consist of exciting individual matchups like Lebron James v Kevin Durant. We also are treated with matchups between several teams that had hard fought playoff series against each other last season. With a lot of talented teams in each group, I will breakdown the best and most anticipated matchups in each of the six groups.
Lakers v Suns (West Group A)
Both teams will come into this matchup as very compelling teams to watch all-season do to the additions they added to their rosters. However, what makes this matchup the best of Group A is due to the fact it is literally a matchup nearly five years in the making between two of the best players of this era. Lebron James and Kevin Durant last played each other in an NBA game nearly five years ago; with their last matchup taking place on Christmas day 2018. At that time, Durant was still a Warrior when he took on Lebron and the Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated the Warriors on the road. Five years later and both players are still playing elite level basketball, and could serve as the best matchup between superstars in the entire tournament. Of course, what makes this matchup even more interesting is the other superstars that will be apart of this matchup such as Lakers big man Anthony Davis and the rest of the Phoenix Suns big three in Devin Booker and newcomer Bradley Beal.
Nuggets v Clippers (West Group B)
Of course, a list of the best matchups would not be complete without the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets who have one of the best 1-2 punches in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Speaking of great duos, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George when healthy are the best two way duo in the league and will come into the season with a lot to prove. After another disappointing end of their season, that was due in part to injuries to both of the Clippers superstars. The Los Angeles Clippers will face a great litmus test when they take on the Denver Nuggets, who I believe, will be just as good if not better than last year as they start their pursuit of another championship.
Kings v Warriors (West Group C)
In the playoffs last season, the first round of the playoffs brought an epic 7 game series that became an instant classic; was arguably the most entertaining matchup of the 2022 playoffs. We now get the first look between these two great teams since their Game 7 matchup in Sacramento Kings that was headlined by a masterful 50 point performance by Stephen Curry. The Kings will surely look to avenge that loss and take another step forward after their successful 22-23 season where they broke their 16 year playoff drought. Beyond the two teams, the individual matchup between Steph Curry and the clutch player of the year in De'Aaron Fox will be must see TV as well.
Sixers v Cavaliers (East Group A)
In the Eastern Conference, there are likely no other teams that have a higher pressure of expectation to bounce back from disappointing postseason finishes more than the Philadelphia Sixers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams come into this season with great talent and a lot to prove. For this matchup, we have the reigning MVP and two time scoring champion Joel Embiid up against a Cavaliers team with one of the top backcourts int the league. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are two All-Star talents that are supported by a great defensive frontline in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. That talented defensive frontline went up head up with Embiid three times last season holding him under his season averages in scoring and field goal percentage. Embiid was dominate last season averaging 33.1 points per game on 57.3% yet averaged only 28 points per game on 50% shooting against a top ranked defense in the Cavaliers.
Bucks v Heat (East Group B)
The Miami Heat shocked the world last season by being the first play-in team to make the Finals and just the fourth eight seed in NBA history to beat a one in a playoff series. That journey started with a surprising upset of the Milwaukee Bucks led by Jimmy Butler who averaged 37.6 points per game in five games. This In-Season tournament matchup will be the first time both times face each other since that historic first round series. This matchup could potentially be even more interesting when these teams face off in November, if the Heat are able to acquire Damian Lillard. With the Bucks resigning both Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, this matchup could serve as a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Celtics v Magic (East Group C)
For several years now, the Boston Celtics have been one of the best team making multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a NBA Finals appearance in 2022. They also have one of the best duos in the NBA with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Orlando Magic are a team, I believe, has a bright future ahead thanks to their young talent like the Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero. Despite winning just 34 games last season, the Magic actually won 3 of 4 games in the season series against the Celtics including two wins in Boston. The Celtics once again have Finals expectations going into next season, but the Magic are a team I see taking a solid step forward as well. What better way for the Magic to show their progress than to have strong showing against one of the best teams in the league early in the season.
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