– The pre-season of NBA basketball is already underway, which after standing out as the professional sports league that set the example to overcome the pandemic, is shaping up to a 2020 – 2021 campaign that also had to be adjusted to be able to offer its incomparable and untimely spectacle on the court.
The league led by Commissioner Adam Silver “tamed” the pandemic by applying a “bubble” in Orlando, Florida, where the Los Angeles Lakers ended their title drought and offered him the Larry O’Brien trophy in memory of the legendary Kobe Bryant. With this antecedent that is very fresh in the memory of the fans of “Sport Ráfaga”, last Friday the preseason began with five games and a new campaign is about to start in which the Lakers will seek to endorse their title, but they will meet new obstacles in what promises to be an exciting season with some changes, although traditions such as the always attractive Christmas day are maintained.
KEY DATES
Each team will have a really short preseason, with just two to four friendly games to make adjustments by the coaches, until Tuesday, December 22, when the “Tip – Off” will be given to start the regular season. Traditionally, the NBA game schedule includes 82 games for each team, but with the adjustments required by the pandemic, in the 2020-2021 campaign a 72-game schedule will be implemented, each team will play 3 times against their conference rivals and 2 times before those of the other conference.
The Playoffs stage will not undergo changes in terms of the number of guests, 8 teams from each conference, although a “mini tournament” of Play – In will be played, among the teams that are located from place 7 to 10 of each conference. Those who occupy positions 7 and 8 will be able to advance by only winning one game, while those 9 and 10 will have to win two games to continue in the elimination round, a format that was applied in “La Burbuja” and produced great emotions, so It will be played again and is scheduled for May 18-21.
CALENDAR IN SUSPENSION
Although the schedule for the first half of the season, which will end on March 4, has already been announced, the league has reserved the matches for the second half, which will be revealed later, suspending what will happen on March 11. March to May 16, when the regular season ends. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2020 will be held from May 13 to 15, which includes Kobe, while the Play-Inn will be played from May 18 to 21, to give way to the Playoffs from May 22 to July 22.
Among the most interesting news within the teams, you can see Kevin Durant returning to activity, but now wearing the jersey of the Brooklyn Nets, who have high expectations with their new coach, Steve Nash.
MATCHES
each team will play in the regular season that begins on December 22.
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