NBA Starting 5, Dec. 4: A win-or-go-home Monday, explained – NBA.com

The single-elimination Quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament tip off tonight with Celtics-Pacers and Kings-Pelicans.
Seven elimination games are coming in the next six days.
The last three of them in Vegas, with the first-ever NBA Cup going to the In-Season Tournament champs.
Welcome to the Knockout Rounds. Let’s make a little history together.
THE LINEUP 🏀

🏆 In-Season Tournament Hub
🎤 Mic’d Up: Tatum (BOS), Turner (IND)
🎤 Mic’d Up: Sabonis (SAC)
1. WIN-OR-GO-HOME KNOCKOUT ROUNDS, EXPLAINED

The Bracket Begins: The first-ever Quarterfinals of the Knockout Rounds tip off tonight on TNT.
Four teams will battle for the first two spots in the semifinals (tipping Thursday) – with two more Quarterfinals coming tomorrow.

New format, longtime rivals: While all eight teams will be playing in the first-ever Knockout Rounds, a few of the matchups come loaded up with some history of their own, writes NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner.
What else?
2. PACERS & CELTICS GET IT STARTED

The Pacers have played their best ball of the year in the Tournament, going a perfect 4-0 to win East Group A.
They’ll meet the Boston Celtics tonight (7:30 ET, TNT), who took a tougher road.
Three things to know:
3. KINGS & PELICANS FINISH THE NIGHT

The Kings won twice, in a sense, when they beat Golden State 124-123 in Tuesday’s final game, drawing a date with New Orleans in tonight’s second Quarterfinal (10 ET, TNT).
The Pelicans, meanwhile, did what they had to do … while also getting a little Luka Magic to send them into the quarters.
What are the top stories from this one?
4. TWO MORE QUARTERFINALS ON TUESDAY

LeBron James & Kevin Durant went five years without meeting in an NBA game.
By the time Lakers-Suns wraps up the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, they’ll have done it three times in the season’s first six weeks.

The Knicks & Bucks tip the night off in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are 9-1 on the season and have not lost in over a month (Oct. 29)
5. BINGE WATCH: RACE FOR THE NBA CUP 

Race for the NBA Cup has been going behind the scenes of teams’ journeys to Vegas since the In-Season Tournament started.
Need to put off your Monday to-do list a little longer today? Let these six episodes help.
After all of the frenetic Group Play drama, 6 teams remain in the Knockout Rounds with a shot at the NBA Cup.
The inaugural In-Season Tournament tipped off on Friday, Nov. 3 and will culminate with the Championship on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Welcome to the NBA’s top 10 all-time scorers, KD. Meanwhile, the Magic just tied their all-time longest win streak.
Kevin Durant is 17 points away from passing Moses Malone to reach the Top 10 in scoring. He could get there tonight.
After all of the frenetic Group Play drama, 6 teams remain in the Knockout Rounds with a shot at the NBA Cup.
The inaugural In-Season Tournament tipped off on Friday, Nov. 3 and will culminate with the Championship on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Welcome to the NBA’s top 10 all-time scorers, KD. Meanwhile, the Magic just tied their all-time longest win streak.
Kevin Durant is 17 points away from passing Moses Malone to reach the Top 10 in scoring. He could get there tonight.
RotoWire breaks down the top Yahoo daily fantasy players at each position for Wednesday's 11-game NBA slate.
Frequently asked questions, event rules and viewer's guide to the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
Chet Holmgren stays at the top and Miami's Jaime Jaquez Jr. is taking flight in the latest rookie ranking.
Purchase a 12-month subscription to NBA League Pass for the NBA fan in your life starting Dec. 6.
NBA CrunchTime is your home for live whiparound coverage of the league. Check out how and when to watch.
LeBron wills the Lakers to the In-Season Tournament semifinals, while the Bucks' historic night punches their ticket to Vegas.
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