On the eve of the new NBA season, we’ve taken a look at the early-season prospects of every team using two different measures. We’ve assessed the strength of everyone’s first 10 opponents and considered how much each team’s roster has changed since last term.
Milwaukee Bucks are only one win away from their first NBA title in 50 years when they face Phoenix Suns in Game 6 in the early hours of Wednesday. The Bucks were trailing 2-0 to Phoenix after Monty Williams’ side won back-to-back home games but Milwaukee are on a roll after three straight triumphs to leave them on the cusp of their first success since 1971.
As the 2020-21 play-offs come to a close and anticipation builds for next season, we’ve looked at the all-time NBA stats records to see which of the regular season marks are close to being broken – and who are the players chasing new landmarks?
Milwaukee are just one game away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1974 after taking a 3-2 lead over Atlanta. The Bucks are searching for their first title in 50 years, while the Hawks are also aiming to make franchise history by securing a finals debut.
Los Angeles Clippers kept the Western Conference Finals alive and kicking with a superb road-trip victory over Phoenix Suns to extend the series into a sixth game. Monty Williams’ side had lost only one of their seven post-season games at Phoenix Suns Arena.
For each of the four biggest US sports, we’ve picked out five of the most shocking draft picks and surprising trades of all-time. Such decisions can make or break an NFL, MLB, NBA or NHL franchise for years to follow and opinions are often divided on who will come out best from major moves.
With the new NBA season getting under way, we’ve analysed every previous one under the current format – stretching back to 2004-05 – for clues about what might happen this time around.
Houston and Oklahoma City clash in a best-of-seven series finale in the NBA play-offs and we’re going for the Rockets to advance in Orlando. The Thunder have rallied from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits in what has been a thrilling contest but may find James Harden too hot to handle in the decider.
The most thrilling time for basketball fans is finally here as the NBA playoffs are set to start on the 17th of August. A team’s form during the regular season doesn’t mean much once the playoffs begin. Low-performing players can be transformed into All-Stars, defences are getting tougher, and teamwork becomes more important.
When international sport is finally allowed to resume there will be an enormous amount of world titles waiting to be decided. Even without the rescheduled Olympic games, the sporting calendar will be packed, keeping us glued to our screens as all the unfinished business is resolved.
NBA regular-season games don’t get much better than when Western Conference leaders LA Lakers entertain Milwaukee, top dogs in the East. LeBron James coming up against Giannis Antetokounmpo is just one of the sub-plots at Staples Center, in what could prove a preview of this year’s finals.
A huge clash in the Western Conference sees two high-flyers face off as the Houston Rockets host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Toyota Center. The Clippers sit in second, behind arch-rivals the Lakers, while Houston are just three games behind their visitors in fourth in a congested table.
The Warriors and the Lakers are at opposite ends of the NBA’s Western Conference, with Golden State rock bottom and 32 wins behind the table toppers. Los Angeles have prevailed in both previous meetings this term and there is little evidence to suggest they won’t come out on top again at Chase Center.
Utah will aim to end a recent barren run in front of their own fans when they host Boston at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but the Celtics may scupper those hopes. The Jazz had a superb record at this venue, but they have slipped from second to fifth in the Western Conference after falling to 20-8 in Salt Lake City.