NBA In-Season Tournament East Group A Rosters & Schedules

The NBA In-Season Tournament is back, and excitement is building among basketball fans as teams prepare to battle it out in this unique mid-season competition. In East Group A, five teams will vie for supremacy, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons. Each team has its own story and aspirations for the upcoming tournament, and we’ll delve into their strengths, weaknesses, and key players in this comprehensive preview.

Also Read: NBA In Season Tournament Start Date

East Group A Team Overview

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the teams that make up East Group A:

Team	2022-23 Regular Season Record
Philadelphia 76ers	56-26
Atlanta Hawks	41-41
Cleveland Cavaliers	52-30
Indiana Pacers	35-47
Detroit Pistons	17-65

The disparity in regular-season performance between the top and bottom teams in this group is evident. The 76ers and Cavaliers were playoff teams, while the Hawks finished at .500, and the Pacers and Pistons had challenging seasons. Now, let’s delve deeper into each team’s prospects for the upcoming In-Season Tournament.

Also Read: NBA In-Season Tournament Trophy & Prize Money ANNOUNCED

Philadelphia 76ers: The Harden Dilemma

The Philadelphia 76ers head into the tournament with a cloud of uncertainty surrounding their star player, James Harden. Harden, who averaged a near triple-double in eight games against Group A opponents last season, has requested a trade out of Philadelphia. The Sixers find themselves in a situation reminiscent of the Ben Simmons trade saga from a few years ago.

Harden’s future will undoubtedly be the focal point of discussions, as the team decides whether to trade him or work towards reconciliation. In the meantime, they can take confidence from their dominant head-to-head record against Group A rivals, boasting a 12-2 combined record.

Also Read: NBA In-Season Tournament Groups

Philadelphia 76ers Rosters

PLAYER	POS	HT	WT
Mo Bamba	C	7-1	231
Patrick Beverley	PG	6-2	180
Dewayne Dedmon	C	7-1	245
Joel Embiid	C	7-0	280
James Harden	PG	6-5	220
Montrezl Harrell	C	6-7	240
Tobias Harris	PF	6-7	226
Danuel House Jr.	SF	6-6	220
Louis King	SF	6-7	205
Furkan Korkmaz	SG	6-7	202
Tyrese Maxey	PG	6-2	200
De’Anthony Melton	SG	6-2	200
Filip Petrusev	PF	6-11	235
Paul Reed	SF	6-9	210
Terquavion Smith	PG	6-4	165
Jaden Springer	SG	6-4	202
P.J. Tucker	PF	6-5	245

Philadelphia 76ers Schedule

Atlanta Hawks: Stuck at .500

The Atlanta Hawks had a peculiar streak during the 2022-23 season, hovering around the .500 mark for 72 consecutive days. They eventually finished the season at 41-41, securing a playoff spot but bowing out in the first round to the Boston Celtics. A mid-season coaching change saw Quin Snyder take over, and he now has a full season to make his mark.

The Hawks extended Dejounte Murray and traded away John Collins, adding some stability and making room for new talent. With Snyder at the helm and key players in place, the Hawks aim to break free from their .500 cycle and make a deeper run in the tournament.

Atlanta Hawks Rosters

PLAYER	POS	HT	WT
Saddiq Bey	SF	6-7	215
Bogdan Bogdanovic	SF	6-5	225
Kobe Bufkin	SG	6-4	195
Clint Capela	C	6-10	256
Bruno Fernando	C	6-10	240
Trent Forrest	SG	6-4	210
AJ Griffin	SF	6-6	220
Mouhamed Gueye	PF	6-11	213
De’Andre Hunter	SF	6-8	221
Jalen Johnson	SF	6-8	219
Seth Lundy	SG	6-6	220
Garrison Mathews	SF	6-6	215
Wesley Matthews	SG	6-4	220
Patty Mills	PG	6-1	180
Dejounte Murray	PG	6-5	180
Onyeka Okongwu	C	6-9	240
Donovan Williams	SG	6-6	188
Trae Young	PG	6-1	164

Atlanta Hawks Schedule

Cleveland Cavaliers: Mitchell’s Impact

The Cleveland Cavaliers made significant strides in the 2022-23 season, winning more than 50 games and returning to the playoffs. Donovan Mitchell, in his first season with the Cavs, had an outstanding year, earning Second Team All-NBA honors. He averaged career highs in scoring and shooting percentages.

Despite a disappointing early playoff exit, the Cavs are poised to build upon their regular-season success. They added Max Strus and Georges Niang to bolster their three-point shooting, an area where they ranked 19th last season. With Mitchell leading the way, the Cavaliers are a force to be reckoned with.

Cleveland Cavaliers Rosters

PLAYER	POS	HT	WT
Jarrett Allen	C	6-9	243
Emoni Bates	SG	6-9	170
Mamadi Diakite	PF	6-9	228
Darius Garland	PG	6-1	192
Danny Green	SF	6-6	215
Ty Jerome	SG	6-5	195
Damian Jones	C	6-11	245
Caris LeVert	SG	6-6	205
Sam Merrill	SG	6-4	200
Donovan Mitchell	SG	6-1	215
Evan Mobley	PF	6-11	215
Isaiah Mobley	PF	6-8	238
Georges Niang	PF	6-7	230
Isaac Okoro	SF	6-5	225
Craig Porter Jr.	PG	6-2	185
Ricky Rubio	PG	6-2	190
Max Strus	SG	6-5	215
Dean Wade	PF	6-9	228

Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule

Indiana Pacers: Offseason Revamp

After narrowly missing out on the Play-In Tournament in the previous season, the Indiana Pacers underwent significant changes during the offseason. They added versatile swingman Bruce Brown and athletic forward Obi Toppin, both of whom bring depth and versatility to the roster. The Pacers also secured All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton with a max contract extension.

Haliburton’s impressive numbers in his first full season with the Pacers make him a key player to watch. Additionally, Bennedict Mathurin’s emergence as a rookie adds excitement to the team’s prospects. With a more balanced roster, the Pacers are looking to improve on their 35-47 record.

Indiana Pacers Roster

PLAYER	POS	HT	WT
Kendall Brown	SF	6-7	205
Bruce Brown	SF	6-4	202
Tyrese Haliburton	PG	6-5	185
Buddy Hield	SF	6-4	220
George Hill	PG	6-4	188
Isaiah Jackson	C	6-9	205
James Johnson	PF	6-7	240
Bennedict Mathurin	SF	6-5	210
T.J. McConnell	PG	6-1	190
Andrew Nembhard	PG	6-3	191
Aaron Nesmith	SF	6-5	215
Jordan Nwora	SG	6-8	225
Ben Sheppard	SG	6-6	190
Jalen Smith	PF	6-9	215
Daniel Theis	C	6-8	245
Obi Toppin	PF	6-9	220
Myles Turner	C	6-11	250
Jarace Walker	PF	6-8	235
Isaiah Wong	SG	6-4	184
Gabe York	G	6-3	184

Indiana Pacers Schedule

Detroit Pistons: Rebuilding with Youth

The Detroit Pistons have faced struggles since their last playoff appearance in 2019, but they’re slowly rebuilding with a focus on youth. Despite a season-ending injury to Cade Cunningham, the Pistons selected wing Ausar Thompson with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Monty Williams takes over as head coach, with former coach Dwane Casey transitioning to a front-office role. Veterans Joe Harris and Monte Morris were added to provide three-point shooting, addressing an area of need for the Pistons. With a mix of youth and experience, Detroit hopes to show growth and improvement in the tournament.

Detroit Pistons Rosters

PLAYER	POS	HT	WT
Marvin Bagley III	C	6-10	235
Buddy Boeheim	SG	6-6	205
Bojan Bogdanovic	SF	6-7	226
Alec Burks	PG	6-6	214
Malcolm Cazalon	SG	6-6	195
Cade Cunningham	SG	6-7	220
Hamidou Diallo	SF	6-5	202
Jalen Duren	C	6-11	250
R.J. Hampton	PG	6-4	175
Joe Harris	SG	6-6	220
Killian Hayes	PG	6-5	195
Jaden Ivey	SG	6-4	195
Isaiah Livers	SF	6-6	232
Rodney McGruder	SG	6-4	205
Monte Morris	PG	6-2	183
Jared Rhoden	SF	6-6	210
Marcus Sasser	SG	6-1	196
Isaiah Stewart	PF	6-8	250
Ausar Thompson	SF	6-7	204
James Wiseman	C	7-1	240

Detroit Pistons Schedule

Head-to-Head Records

Before we break down each team individually, it’s crucial to understand their head-to-head records from the previous season, as it provides valuable insights into their potential performance in the tournament.

Head-to-Head Records in 2022-23 Season

Team	vs. Atlanta Hawks	vs. Cleveland Cavaliers	vs. Detroit Pistons	vs. Indiana Pacers	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	Total Record	Win Percentage
Philadelphia 76ers	3-1	2-1	3-0	4-0	–	12-2	0.857
Atlanta Hawks	–	2-1	4-0	2-1	1-3	9-5	0.643
Cleveland Cavaliers	1-2	–	4-0	3-1	1-2	9-5	0.643
Indiana Pacers	1-2	1-3	2-2	–	0-4	4-11	0.267
Detroit Pistons	0-4	0-4	–	2-2	0-3	2-13	0.133

Conclusion

East Group A of the NBA In-Season Tournament promises intriguing matchups and storylines. From the Harden situation in Philadelphia to the Hawks’ quest to break free from .500, the Cavaliers’ continued rise, the Pacers’ offseason revamp, and the Pistons’ rebuilding efforts, there’s no shortage of drama and excitement.

As basketball fans eagerly anticipate the tournament’s tip-off, one thing is clear: East Group A will be a battleground where teams will compete fiercely for the chance to lift the In-Season Tournament trophy. Stay tuned for thrilling basketball action and unexpected twists in this exciting mid-season competition.