NBA 2020-21

[InThe313]

It feels like just yesterday the thread was closed on the NBA.  Well, the Association is back after just 71 days off as the preseason begins with the first tip-offs taking place in Atlanta and Detroit.  So, if you have news or an observation you'd like to post, this is your place.  Remember, be respectful.

[InThe313]

It's all about the cash.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to sign a five-year, $228 million supermax extension with the Bucks.

[InThe313]

Well, that rest didn't last long, did it?  Welcome back to the regular season.  It's going to be interesting to see how this season progresses out of a bubble, but let's hope it works.  In the meantime, we've got two exciting games for the start of the season as Kevin Durant returns after a year off to face his former team and one of the NBA's best rivalries is reignited as the defending champs raise their newest banner.  Your Opening Night schedule:

Golden State Warriors at Brooklyn Nets tonight at 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 10 p.m.

[Cadeauxxx]

Cannot wait to see what the Lakers ring looks like and drop a banner right in the Clippers' faces.

[InThe313]

Well, that was quick.  Today's Thunder vs. Rockets game was postponed.

[Cadeauxxx]

Love, love, love the Lakers new ring. The Kobe tribute was so cool with how the ring opens up and had the retired numbers in there.

Can't even be upset about the Clippers being opening night champs again. That's probably the coolest looking Lakers championship ring ever.

[InThe313]

It's the most wonderful day of the year!  The Pelicans are playing the Heat.  The Pelicans' Zion Williamson had a double-double in the season opener.  This is the first f five games today.  Updates to come.

The Heat beat the Pelicans, 111-98.
The Bucks beat the Warriors, 138-99.
The Nets beat the Celtics, 123-95.

UPDATE:  How is this for a big game?  Luka Dončić and the Mavericks are playing LeBron James and the Lakers.  James has 24 PPG on Christmas.  Dončić is playing in his first Christmas game.

The Lakers beat the Mavericks, 138-115.
The Clippers beat the Nuggets, 121-108.

[InThe313]

How is this humanly possible?  The Clippers are down 50 at halftime, trailing the Mavericks, 77-27, in their first game without Kawhi Leonard.  This is the largest halftime deficit in the shot-clock era.  Updates to come.

The Mavericks beat the Clippers, 124-73.

[InThe313]

Let Chef Curry cook!  Stephen Curry put the Warriors on his back with 62 points, burying eight threes and scoring the most points by a Warrior since 1974 in a 137-122 win over the Trail Blazers.

[InThe313]

It's finally happening.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, the Nets will acquire the Rockets' James Harden in a blockbuster deal.  Updates to come.

The Nets beat the Knicks, 116-109.

[InThe313]

I can't stand either team, but this will be great basketball.  "NBA Saturday Primetime" is back as the 14-6 Lakers are playing the 10-7 Celtics.  The Lakers' LeBron James and Anthony Davis have a combined 47.4 points per game.  The Celtics' Jaylen Brown has 27.1 points per game, which is eighth in the NBA.  Updates to come.

The Lakers beat the Celtics, 96-95.

[InThe313]

That finish was bonkers!  After the Wizards' Bradley Beal hit a three, the Wizards stole the inbounds pass and Russell Westbrook drilled the go-ahead three with 4.3 seconds left to stun the Nets, 149-146.

[InThe313]

Here we go again.  According to Malika Andrews, the Nets’ Kevin Durant missed the start of tonight’s 123-116 loss to the Raptors, was made available and then ruled unable to play at the direction of the NBA.

[InThe313]

This may feel out of place here, but what the heck?  Quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers threw an epic boat parade today that involved Brady casually throwing the Vince Lombardi Trophy across the water to Gronkowski and “just a little avocado tequila”.  The reason I posted that here is that you need to go through social media and see how seriously jealous the Lakers’ LeBron James was.  Updates to come.

The Lakers beat the Thunder, 114-113, in overtime.

[InThe313]

We have our first coaching causality of the season.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves fired head coach Ryan Saunders after tonight's 103-99 loss to the Knicks.