DETROIT — The Philadelphia 76ers play their first in-season tournament game on Friday when they take on the Detroit Pistons. This innovation by the NBA is intended to be an incentive for teams to want to play well at the beginning of the season.
The Sixers are in East Group A along with the Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. The winner of group play will move on to the quarterfinals. The winners from that round head to Las Vegas to play in the semifinals and compete for the NBA Cup.
There are obvious incentives such as the trophy and the money that can be earned if they win, but it also counts as a regular season game in November. So how players approach these games will be interesting.
“I think the in-season tournament definitely gives you more of an incentive to probably win and play a little harder and stuff like that because, obviously, it’s what you’re battling for,” said De’Anthony Melton. “The chance to go to Vegas, the chance to win more money which is always great, but just people probably take this a little more serious now.”
In-season tournament day #Sixers pic.twitter.com/OEPcc5zDvY
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) November 10, 2023
This is another chance for the Sixers to win with an added incentive.
“You approach it like you’re wanting to win,” Melton smiled. “You know what I mean? So you just gotta be ready to win every game. I think we just always gotta expect to win. Always gotta be ready for whatever’s in front of us.”
The Sixers and the Pistons match up at 7 p.m. EST from Little Caesars Arena on Friday.
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