NBA In-Season Tournament 2023: Latest Standings, Predictions After Nov. 17 Group Play

Everything went in the Los Angeles Lakers' favor on Friday night. Now, they're one step closer to advancing past group play in the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament.

The Lakers are alone atop West Group A after becoming the first NBA team to improve to 3-0 in group play with a 107-95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Los Angeles entered the night tied atop the group standings with the Utah Jazz, whose tournament record dropped to 2-1 after they lost 131-128 to the Phoenix Suns.

As November unfolds, it's becoming increasingly clear which teams are most likely to be among the eight to advance into the knockout rounds. However, there's still time left for teams not currently in a position to advance to move up the standings and punch their tickets.

Here's a look at the NBA in-season tournament picture following Friday's action.

NBA In-Season Tournament Standings

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 03: A detailed view of the NBA In-Season Tournament logo during a game between the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on November 03, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

East Group A

1. Indiana Pacers (2-0)

2. Philadelphia 76ers (2-1)

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1)

4. Atlanta Hawks (1-1)

5. Detroit Pistons (0-3)

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East Group B

1. Milwaukee Bucks (2-0)

2. Miami Heat (2-0)

3. New York Knicks (1-1)

4. Charlotte Hornets (1-2)

5. Washington Wizards (0-3)

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East Group C

1. Boston Celtics (2-0)

2. Brooklyn Nets (2-1)

3. Orlando Magic (1-1)

4. Toronto Raptors (0-1)

5. Chicago Bulls (0-2)

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West Group A

1. Los Angeles Lakers (3-0)

2. Utah Jazz (2-1)

3. Phoenix Suns (1-1)

4. Portland Trail Blazers (1-2)

5. Memphis Grizzlies (0-3)

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West Group B

1. New Orleans Pelicans (2-1)

2. Denver Nuggets (2-1)

3. Houston Rockets (1-1)

4. Dallas Mavericks (1-2)

5. Los Angeles Clippers (1-2)

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West Group C

1. Sacramento Kings (2-0)

2. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0)

3. Golden State Warriors (1-1)

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2)

5. San Antonio Spurs (0-3)

Bucks Will Take Down Heat in East Group B

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket while guarded by P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets in the first quarter during an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Spectrum Center on November 17, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

There's a good chance that the Nov. 28 matchup between the Bucks and the Heat in Miami could determine the winner of East Group B. Neither team has lost in group play, and both may enter that game with a 3-0 tournament record.

If that's the case, the Heat could be the favorite. They won't only be the home team, but they've also won seven consecutive games since opening the season 1-4.

However, the Bucks shouldn't be counted out. In fact, they appear to be rounding into form, meaning they could have quite a bit of momentum going themselves when that matchup in Miami arrives.

Milwaukee improved to 2-0 in tournament group play with a convincing 130-99 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets. It was an impressive statement made by the Bucks, who were powered by 27 points from Damian Lillard. They had seven players score in double digits in their third consecutive win.

On Friday, Milwaukee should improve to 3-0 in tournament action, as it'll be hosting Washington, which is 0-3 in group play. It's less certain that Miami will also be 3-0, as it has a more challenging road matchup vs. the Knicks that night.

It's possible the Bucks could lose to the Heat on Nov. 28 and still finish first in East Group B. That's because it's possible Miami could lose to New York, while Milwaukee should continue to improve its tournament score differential and put itself in a position to win a possible tiebreaker.

That's why the prediction here is that the Bucks will finish first in East Group B, either by beating the Heat or by owning a tiebreaker. Miami could still advance past group play, but it may have to win a tiebreaker of its own in order to do so.

Suns May Still Find Way to Advance out of Group Play

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 17: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz during the In-Season Tournament on November 17, 2023 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Don't count out the Suns, who entered Friday without a win in tournament action. Some may have thought Phoenix was going to fall to 0-2, considering it had a difficult road matchup against Utah, which had won each of its first two tourney games.

Instead, the Suns prevailed, and they improved to 1-1 in group play. They're going to need a misstep from the Lakers (3-0) to have a chance to win West Group A by a tiebreaker, and that seems unlikely to happen.

Phoenix may still have a chance of advancing past group play and into the knockout rounds, though. That will especially be the case if it finishes at 3-1, which will happen if the Suns can beat the Trail Blazers and the Grizzlies later this month.

Bradley Beal won't be able to help Phoenix, though, as his back injury again has him out of action. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated in three weeks, so he won't play again during the group-play phase of the in-season tournament.

But the Suns still have Kevin Durant, who led the way with 38 points in Friday's win over the Jazz. Plus, Devin Booker is now back in action, and he tallied 24 vs. Utah.

It's still possible Phoenix won't advance because of the tough competition that could make it a complicated tiebreaker in the West. However, expect the Suns to remain in the conversation and then potentially move on.