NBA In-Season Tournament Update

With the group stage of the NBA in-season tournament already nearing its halfway point, it is important to see who has the best chance of making the knockout stages. As seven teams have yet to host a tournament game, fans will also be eager to see the final portion of exclusive courts in action. There are a few teams that appear to be performing better in the tournament than the overall league, perhaps sparking a change in focus.

Some teams only have one game left, while one has yet to even compete, as the Toronto Raptors await their first opponents. The tournament continues to be a revolutionary act in American sports, and is allowing some teams to see a spotlight they are not used to. While some teams are performing poorly in the regular standings but lead their groups, it allows them the opportunity to chase another trophy, as they may not be competing come playoff time.

Here is a look at how the group standings have played out after roughly half the games:

Eastern Conference:

A:

1. Indiana Pacers (2-0), remaining games: @ ATL, vs. DET
2. Atlanta Hawks (1-0), remaining games: vs. PHI, vs. IND, @ CLE
3. Philadelphia 76ers (1-1), remaining games: @ ATL, vs. CLE
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1),remaining games: vs. DET, @ PHI, vs. ATL
5. Detroit Pistons (0-2), remaining games: @ CLE, @ IND

B:

1. Miami Heat (2-0), remaining games: @ NYK, vs. MIL
2. Milwaukee Bucks (1-0), remaining games: @ CHA, vs. WAS, @ MIA
3. Charlotte Hornets (1-1), remaining games: vs. MIL, @ NYK
4. New York Knicks (0-1), remaining games: @ WAS, vs. MIA, vs. CHA
5. Washington Wizards (0-2), remaining games: vs. NYK, @ MIL

C:

1. Boston Celtics (1-0) remaining games: @ TOR, @ ORL, vs. CHI
2. Brooklyn Nets (2-1), remaining games: vs. TOR
3. Chicago Bulls (0-1), remaining games: vs. ORL, @ TOR, @ BOS
4. Orlando Magic (0-1), remaining games: @ CHI, vs. TOR, vs. BOS
5. Toronto Raptors (0-0), remaining games: vs. BOS, @ ORL, vs. CHI, @ BRK

Western Conference:

A:

1. Los Angeles Lakers (2-0), remaining games: @ POR, vs. UTA
2. Utah Jazz (2-0), remaining games: vs. PHX, @ LAL
3. Portland Trail Blazers (1-1), remaining games: vs. LAL, @ PHX
4. Phoenix Suns (0-1), remaining games: @ UTA, vs. POR, @ MEM
5. Memphis Grizzlies (0-3), remaining games: vs. PHX

B: 

1. Denver Nuggets (2-0), remaining games: @ NOP, @ HOU
2. Houston Rockets (1-0), remaining games: @ LAC, vs. DEN, @  DAL
3. New Orleans Pelicans (1-1), remaining games: vs. DEN, @ LAC
4. Dallas Mavericks (1-2), remaining games: vs. HOU
5. Los Angeles Clippers (0-2), remaining games: vs. HOU, vs. NOP

C:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0), remaining games: vs. SAC, vs. OKC
2. Sacramento Kings (1-0), remaining games: @ SAS, @ MIN, vs. GSW
3. Golden State Warriors (1-1), remaining games: vs. SAS, @ SAC
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2), remaining games: @ MIN
5. San Antonio Spurs (0-2), remaining games: vs. SAC, @ GSW

There is still plenty of time for the landscape of these groups to completely change by the end of this stage. Remember, motives such as money and a new championship are on the line for all of these players. Some teams may be more focused on winning the regular season, but for those who sit higher in their groups than conferences, they may be all in on winning the league’s newest trophy.