NEW ORLEANS โ The New Orleans Pelicans will attempt to clinch their spot in the NBA In-Season Tournament Finals on Thursday night in Las Vegas against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It's the Pelicans' first match-up with the Lakers this season. With a win against the Lakers, every player on the team will get at least $200,000 and a chance to win the first NBA Cup.
"It'll be fun, it'll be great for our fans and we got some bread on the line. So we in Vegas, you might as well make some extra money too," Pelicans guard CJ McCollum said.
Each player gets $500,000 for winning the title, $200,000 for second place, and $100,000 for reaching the semifinals.
NBA officials had hoped the In-Season Tournament would bring excitement and more meaningful games to the first half of the season.
'It feels like the playoffs," McCollum said. Star forward Brandon Ingram says the tournament has brought a different energy. "I know a lot of guys on our team like to perform when the lights come on," Ingram said.
The Pelicans have won 4 of their 5 tournament games. During group play, they went 3-1 with a +33 point differential to move onto the Quarterfinals, where they defeated the Sacramento Kings 127-117 on Monday.
New Orleans tournament stat leaders according to the Associated Press: Brandon Ingram (27.4 ppg, 6.2 apg, 6 rpg), Zion Williamson (22.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.4 spg), Herb Jones (16.0 ppg, .611 FG%), Jonas Valanciunas (14.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, .596 FG%), Jordan Hawkins (13.5 ppg).
The Pels are the healthiest they have been this season. Last week, both McCollum and Trey Murphy III returned to action. Matt Ryan (elbow) and Larry Nance Jr. (rib fracture) are currently the only members of the team out.
Pelicans Projected Starting Lineup
- Guard: CJ McCollum
- Forward: Brandon Ingram
- Forward: Herb Jones
- Forward: Zion Williamson
- Center: Jonas Valanฤiลซnas
When is the In-Season Tournament Semifinals?
The semifinal games will played on Thursday in Las Vegas. The East Semifinal game tips off at 4 p.m. on ESPN, and the West Semifinal game tips off at 8 p.m. on TNT and TruTV.
The Pelicans are hosting a Watch Party at Wrong Iron on Thursday night.
In-Season Tournament Betting Odds
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Spread: Lakers -2
- Total O/U: 231
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Spread: Bucks +5
- Total O/U: 257
In-Season Tournament Winner
- Bucks +160
- Lakers +230
- Pelicans +330
- Pacers +480
In-Season Tournament MVP
- Damian Lillard +380
- Giannis Antetokounmpo +430
- Brandon Ingram +430
- Lebron James +430
- Tyrese Haliburton +450
- Anthony Davis +750
- Zion Williamson +1600
- CJ McCollum +6000
- Herb Jones +6500
- Jonas Valanciunas +6500
Betting odds provided by Fanduel
When is the In-Season Tournament Championship?
The championship game will be played on Saturday, December 9 at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. if the Pelicans advance they could potentially play the Indiana Pacers or Milwaukee Bucks.
So far, every game has counted towards the team's regular season record but the championship game on Saturday does not.
For more information on the NBA In-Season Tournament, click here.
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