29.11.2023
Boston Celtics 124 - 97 Chicago Bulls
The Boston Celtics dominated the Chicago Bulls 124-97, with Jaylen Brown scoring 30 points and Jayson Tatum adding 21, advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament. The Celtics made a season-high 21 3-pointers and had all five starters score in double figures. Jrue Holiday returned from injury to contribute with 14 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Despite the Celtics' huge lead, they continued to press in the second half and coach Joe Mazzulla expressed discomfort with running up the score, acknowledging the league's emphasis on point differential. DeMar DeRozan and Coby White led the Bulls with 19 points each, while Zach LaVine left with a sore foot after scoring just two points in under 25 minutes. Boston will face the Indiana Pacers in the next round, while the Bulls will host the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brooklyn Nets 115 - 103 Toronto Raptors
Despite a 115-103 win over the Toronto Raptors, the Brooklyn Nets were knocked out of the NBA In-Season Tournament. Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 23 points while Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Royce O’Neale, and Nic Claxton also finished in double figures. Brooklyn needed a 15-point win and a specific outcome in another game to advance, but fell short despite the victory. Toronto had six players in double-figure scoring, including Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes with 17 points each. The Raptors made a late push, but Brooklyn held on for the win. Ben Simmons and others missed the game for the Nets with injuries.
Minnesota Timberwolves 106 - 103 Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite the injury to Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-103, with Rudy Gobert putting up an impressive performance of 17 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points for the Thunder, but his 37-foot shot to tie the game at the buzzer missed. Troy Brown Jr. scored a season-high 17 points off the bench for the Wolves, who held the Thunder to only 42 points in the second half. The win propelled the Wolves to a 3-1 record in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Dallas Mavericks 121 - 115 Houston Rockets
Despite already being eliminated from the NBA In-Season Tournament, the Dallas Mavericks prevented the Houston Rockets from advancing with a 121-115 victory on Tuesday night. Luka Doncic shined with 41 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, falling just short of a triple-double, while Kyrie Irving added 27 points. The win allowed the New Orleans Pelicans to win their group. Alperen Sengun had a season-best 31 points for the Rockets, who have now lost all six of their road games this season. The Mavericks did not use the specially built court for their home games in the tournament.
Cleveland Cavaliers 128 - 105 Atlanta Hawks
Donovan Mitchell scored 40 points and Evan Mobley had 17 points, a career-high 19 rebounds and seven blocks as the Cavaliers beat the Hawks 128-105, but failed to advance in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Despite their impressive win, the Cavs needed four other teams to lose in order to secure a wild-card spot in the knockout round, which they ultimately fell short of. The Knicks eliminated Cleveland for the second consecutive season, securing the wild-card spot with a win over the Hornets. Mitchell had his best performance in weeks in a meaningful game by regular-season standards, helping the Cavs contain the high-scoring Hawks who had scored 152 in a previous game. Despite falling short in the tournament, the Cavs are getting healthy and focusing on the next championship opportunity.
Miami Heat 124 - 131 Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for 65 points as the Milwaukee Bucks secured a spot in the NBA's In-Season Tournament quarterfinals by defeating the Miami Heat 131-124. The Bucks closed the game on a 16-6 run, with Lillard making key free throws in the final minutes. Bam Adebayo scored 31 points for the Heat, who were missing Jimmy Butler and Haywood Highsmith. Milwaukee's win against Miami earned them a home quarterfinal game against the New York Knicks.
Sacramento Kings 124 - 123 Golden State Warriors
Malik Monk's late fadeaway shot led the Sacramento Kings to a comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors, winning 124-123 and advancing to the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament with a 4-0 record. The Kings erased a 24-point deficit in the game, with De'Aaron Fox leading the way with 29 points. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins each scored 29 for the Warriors, who have lost eight of their last 10 games. Draymond Green returned from a suspension, but Golden State was hampered by injuries to Chris Paul and Gary Payton II. The Kings will face the New Orleans Pelicans in the quarterfinals.
New York Knicks 115 - 91 Charlotte Hornets
The New York Knicks overtook the Charlotte Hornets with a 115-91 victory, earning a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference to advance in the in-season tournament. Julius Randle put up an impressive 25 points and 20 rebounds, while RJ Barrett contributed 16 points. The Knicks secured a spot in the quarterfinals, facing off against the Milwaukee Bucks with the opportunity to make it to the Final Four in Las Vegas. Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart led the bench in scoring, with Hart expressing some reservations about the scoring system in the tournament. The Hornets, missing LaMelo Ball, struggled offensively with a season-low score of 91 points. The Knicks now set their sights on a matchup with the East's top-seeded team in their quest for tournament glory.