MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks at Bam Adebayo
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The Milwaukee Bucks emerged unscathed from the group stage of the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, securing a spot in the knockout round after defeating the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.
For those still grappling with the In-Season Tournament concept, here’s the nutshell: Teams within each conference were divided into three random groups, engaging in a round-robin where each team played the others once on designated Tuesdays or Fridays in November. The team with the best record in each group, plus one wild card from each conference (the team with the best group play record and point differential among those who didn’t win their group), advanced to the knockout round.
The knockout stage is a single-elimination tournament featuring eight teams, four from each conference. Win, and you progress; lose, and you’re out of the tournament. Teams eliminated or already out of contention are matched with similar counterparts to complete their requisite 82 games this season. The two teams reaching the championship will play an additional 83rd game, not affecting regular-season standings.
With group play concluded and the Bucks moving on to face the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals, here are three takeaways from the inaugural In-Season Tournament group stage.
Point Differential Matters
Considerable uncertainty surrounded the tournament as the season approached, especially regarding how teams and players would approach it. The primary stakes, a mix of pride and a financial incentive (with players on the winning team set to receive $500,000 each), underpin the NBA’s aspiration to foster a positive culture around the NBA Cup. For the time being, this combination appears to have sufficed.
In the initial pool play games, some teams strategically elevated their margins of victory, cognizant that point differential stood as the pivotal tiebreaker determining advancement or an early exit. Milwaukee executed this strategy against the Charlotte Hornets, securing a commanding 31-point win that granted them a substantial advantage in point differential across the Eastern Conference.
The madness reached its peak on the final Tuesday of pool play, with teams vying to maximize their point differentials. The Boston Celtics, finishing 3-1 in East Group C, found themselves tied with the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets entering the night, but trailing in point differential. However, their massive margin of victory earned them the nod for advancement. The Cavaliers and Knicks also partook in the strategic endeavor of amplifying their point differentials, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament dynamics.
The Feel
Following the Bucks’ inaugural In-Season Tournament clash against the New York Knicks, Damian Lillard offered insights in an interview, pondering whether these games carried a distinct feel. While uncertain about a definitive shift, Lillard acknowledged a unique quality permeating these matchups. He clarified that their primary objective was to reach Las Vegas, the site of the semi-final and final games.
The games didn’t quite have a playoff atmosphere feel, but it wasn’t your normal ho-hum regular season game. It was somewhere in between. One report shared ESPN saw a 24 percent increase in viewership during their games on Friday night from 2022. That’s a huge win for the NBA. This is only just the beginning and I’m expecting the intensity to ratchet up a notch in the knockout round.
The Game
It’s clear coaches also prioritized these games above the others. The Bucks made sure they had all of their key players for each group play game, resting their guys in other games. Bucks’ head coach Adrian Griffin also played his key guys more during these four contests.
- Damian Lillard: 34.3 mpg (regular season) vs. 35.3 mpg (In-Season Tournament games)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: 33.9 vs. 35.3
- Brook Lopez: 29.1 vs. 33
- Malik Beasley: 27.9 vs. 29.2
That’s just a small uptick, but it’s noticeable considering that even takes into account the Bucks blowout victory over the Hornets.
Overall, from the fans to the players to the coaches, the In-Season Tournament generated more buzz and attention than normal regular season games. That’s exactly what the NBA was going for, as they look for creative ways to build a loyal base. This is likely only the beginning, as we prepare for a chaotic knockout round unlike anything the league has ever seen.