Matchups included Devin Booker vs. Michael Porter Jr., Rui Hachimura vs. Donovan Mitchell, and 2K MT Andre Drummond vs. DeMarcus Cousins. When most games kept up the theme of one player dominating and lots of trash talk, viewers finally got to see a game go to the final buzzer. Following is a look at which players proceeded on into the quarterfinals.
That made things fun to watch as they made remarks about themselves and their teammates during the game. "This match is rigged," Sabonis stated when Myles Turner was too slow to chase down a participant on a fast break. From the fourth quarter, Harrell had extended to some 60-37 lead as Sabonis was unable to find any success with his own shots. Harrell kept the lead up as Sabonis eventually dropped, 73-51.
The next matchup of the night was easily the tournament's best so far. It was No. 4 seed Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and No. 13 seed Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. Hachimura went with the Los Angeles Lakers and Mitchell went together with the Brooklyn Nets. Of course, Mitchell had both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to use almost, but that would not be true in real life for the Nets. Both players had a competitive initial quarter, trading baskets, together with Hachimura up 19-17 at the conclusion. At the next Mitchell joked about Joe Harris guarding LeBron with"I love you Joe Harris, but I do not think that's the matchup I need," before switching that defensive assignment up.
"I am gonna start doin hack-a-Bron if that is the case," Mitchell commented later on after LeBron missed at the line. It was 38-34 at the half of the Lakers shooting 70 percent. Hachimura asked Mitchell how often he plays he admitted he plays in NBA 2K20 Park mode. As things remained close, Mitchell kept shifting up his defensive matchups for LeBron and AD. He'd pull ahead by a point in the next, but Rui came back. At the fourth, Mitchell managed to pull forward slightly, going up with over two minutes left. Things were tied about a minute to Buy NBA 2K21 MT go but Rui discovered a way to score with LeBron. Afterwards, he used cover celebrity Anthony Davis to score inside and get the foul to go up by five.