Myles Turner's dunk kicks off first NBA in-season tournament - ESPN

Myles Turner will go into the NBA's history books.

Turner's dunk off a pass from Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton 19 seconds into Friday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first basket scored in the history of the NBA's in-season tournament, which began with a slate of seven group-stage games.

After years of debate over the possibility of the NBA having a tournament — modeled off the ones that take place in European soccer and basketball leagues — the long-time pet project of commissioner Adam Silver became a reality Friday. The slate of seven games marked the first of seven days of group stage games across the month of November, including the next three Fridays along with Nov. 14, 21 and 28. The tournament will see all 30 NBA teams play four games against groups drawn together based off last year's standings.

The Pacers and Cavs played the first game of the night, with Indiana winning 121-116 in an Eastern Conference Group A matchup. In keeping with the themed courts every team will be utilizing for the tournament, the game was played on a very bright blue court inside Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Pacers triumphed after a seesaw affair for 48 minutes was ultimately swung in their favor with a late 12-1 run. Haliburton's stepback jumper with 17.1 seconds to go and a pair of free throws 10 seconds later put the game away.

In the night's biggest game, at least in terms of determining who will advance to the quarterfinals next month, the Bucks hosted the New York Knicks, as the top two teams in Eastern Conference Group B squared off.

The Bucks entered the night 29th in the NBA in defensive rating after being inside the top 10 in four of the previous five years. Led by center