THE SACRAMENTO Kings, who rallied from a 24-point deficit on Tuesday to complete a perfect run through West Group C in the NBA in-season tournament, earned a home quarterfinal date with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. Thanks to a 124-123 win over the visiting Golden State Warriors, the Kings wound up 4-0 in their group. The Pelicans finished atop West Group B at 3-1.
The other Western Conference quarterfinal matchup will pit two teams from West Group A, the Lakers (4-0) and the wild-card Suns (3-1), next Tuesday in Los Angeles. Phoenix got that spot by winning a point-differential tiebreaker over the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1). Phoenix wound up at plus-34, while Minnesota had an even point differential. The first Eastern Conference quarterfinal will be a Monday clash between the East Group A winners, the Indiana Pacers (4-0), and the Celtics. Boston (plus-27 point differential), the Orlando Magic (plus-22) and the Brooklyn Nets (plus-20) all finished 3-1 in East Group C.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who topped East Group B at 4-0, will face the wild-card New York Knicks. — Reuters