The NBA is Back! - Matchups to Watch

Today, the league will resume action for the first time since the season was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under unforeseen circumstances, 22 teams will compete for the Larry O’Brien trophy after 8 “restart” games that have the feel of a star-studded AAU tourney. The atmosphere mirrors the uncertainty around each team: how will the time off affect contenders jockeying for position & upstarts (i.e. New Orleans) with little room for error?

Let’s take a look at the first few games of “Comeback” Weekend:


Matchups to Watch

Clippers @ Lakers (7/30) - title favorites

Grizzlies @ Blazers (7/31) - fight for final playoff spot

Celtics @ Bucks (7/31) - ECF contenders

Heat @ Nuggets (8/1) - dark horse contenders

Pelicans @ Clippers (8/1) - Zion? v. Kawhi

Bucks @ Rockets (8/2) - last two MVP winners

Mavericks @ Suns (8/2) - Luka & KP v. Booker & Ayton

The “restart” will prove to be great theater - which favorite will emerge from the first weekend of games?