The NBA In-Season Tournament has witnessed its fair share of confusion, leading to some late-game hilarity during Friday's matchups. As teams battled it out for potential tiebreaker advantages, unexpected outcomes and clutch shots added to the excitement.

In a game between the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls, the Raptors attempted a late 3-pointer to secure a point-differential tiebreaker. However, to their dismay, they had already been eliminated several hours earlier, rendering their strategy futile.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans managed to execute their plan correctly by scoring an extra basket at the end of their victory over the LA Clippers. Unfortunately, their efforts fell short as they needed at least one more point to secure their desired tiebreaker advantage.

On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns delivered a stunning performance by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies by exactly 21 points. In a decisive move, Devin Booker banked in a 3-pointer with just 13 seconds remaining, allowing the Suns to clinch a plus-34 point differential for their four games. This single point advantage proved crucial, potentially securing them a spot as the Western Conference's wild-card team.

As the dust settles, it appears that the Los Angeles Lakers are poised to secure the top seed with an impressive 4-0 record and a plus-74 point differential. The Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Houston Rockets are likely to claim the second and third seeds in the Western Conference, with the Phoenix Suns trailing closely behind in the fourth seed. In the East, the Indiana Pacers have already clinched a top-two seed, while the Milwaukee Bucks are also likely to advance.

However, the Eastern Conference is filled with uncertainty with several teams battling for the remaining spots. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors need a win to secure their chances, while others rely on additional help and a perfect storm of results.

In the upcoming quarterfinals, the Indiana Pacers, as the top seed, will host the wild-card team, which could potentially be the Milwaukee Bucks if they lose and other results align accordingly. The tournament schedule may also impact travel plans for teams, with longer rides and potential back-to-back games in question.

The NBA must now address the challenge of filling in games for the 22 teams that don't make the quarterfinals, arranging matches that minimize travel and align with available time slots. Despite the league's efforts, it is evident that accommodating every team's preferences and constraints will be a daunting task.

As fans eagerly await the conclusion of the In-Season Tournament, it is certain that the league will leave no stone unturned in determining the final playoff contenders. Stay tuned as the NBA prepares to unveil the playoff schedule and navigate the upcoming challenges following an eventful In-Season Tournament.