NBA

Paolo Banchero had a massive dunk in Wednesday's game between the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons. The former Duke star was the first overall pick in the ...

Unfortunately, his productive night did not come in a win as the Magic fell by a score of 113-109 to the Pistons. Paolo Banchero was the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Duke by the VIRAL: Paolo Banchero Dunks Over A Player In First NBA Game

Paolo Banchero had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Magic on Wednesday night, making him the first rookie with 25-5-5 in his debut since ...

[Cade Cunningham](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4432166/cade-cunningham), the 2021 No. "This was a big game for us to set the tone as far as that matchup. "He got to his spots. He was physical. "I felt like I left a lot of points on the board. This matchup between the Pistons and Magic featured a collection of former top draft picks, including Pistons guards It's always nice to see the ball get in that early, get easy buckets around the rim. 1 pick who finished with 18 points and 10 assists, and [Jaden Ivey](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4433218/jaden-ivey), the 2022 No. He was even better in the fourth quarter as Orlando tried to mount a comeback, going 5-for-8 for 13 points, including a ferocious one-handed dunk over Pistons guard "We're both super young. "It means a lot, I guess," Banchero said after the game. He scored Orlando's first four points and finished the first quarter 3-for-3 on field goals for seven points.

Paolo Banchero is the first No. 1 pick since LeBron James to total over 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in his NBA debut. By ...

[Cade Cunningham](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4432166/cade-cunningham), the No. [Orlando's ](https://apnews.com/article/orlando-magic-nba-sports-paolo-banchero-25696ebd03a505c24cb19f3e6920404e) [Paolo Banchero](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4432573/paolo-banchero), the No. [Jaden Ivey](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4433218/jaden-ivey), the No. Cunningham's last assist set up [Isaiah Stewart](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4432810/isaiah-stewart) for a 3-pointer with 11.6 seconds left that gave the Pistons a four-point lead. Detroit was 23-59 last season, finishing ahead of just Houston and Orlando at the bottom of the league standings. “He’s has a strong build and is very athletic. [Detroit Pistons](http://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/det/detroit-pistons) are excited about their future thanks to some young, dynamic players. “All of our guys have to understand that we have to do a better job of defending without fouling," coach Jamahl Mosley said. 5 pick last year, had 21 points for the Magic before fouling out with 3:47 remaining. 1 picks since 1969 to have at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in an NBA debut. “ But I wasn’t disappointed with the way I played." [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4145/kareem-abdul-jabbar) and [LeBron James](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) as No.

Coach of the Year? Sixth Man? Best rookie? All-NBA? Sam predicts the future of the 2022-23 NBA season.

But he’s a remarkable competitor, and one of the smartest players in the league, like the quarterback who knows where the receiver will be. I’m going with my heart again with Lauri Markkanen second since with the tanking Jazz he’s going to get a lot of shots. If he survives the season and the nor’easters he gets in the top three along with Patrick Williams. I like the share these kinds of awards, but Smart would be in there again and may be better than everyone. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. It’s too automatic and unimaginative to give the award to the No. This is the award I like the least because of its arbitrary nature and varying definitions and standards. I watched him occasionally with LeBron’s asterisk bubble title a few years back, and he seemed something of a mini Scalabrine with the head band and standing ovations in garbage time. But nobody in the NBA today—sorry, LeBron—makes a difference in games and winning like Curry does, and that’s what the award is about. The rest my my ballot would be Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, whom I think now is the best in game coach in the league, but I guess I’m just as guilty for again denying him the award he’s never won and probably should have three times. The complication, of course, in all of this is the Victor Wembanyana race to the bottom. Nobody still impacts the league more than Curry, and that’s what the award is about.

Which team will be holding the Larry O'Brien trophy when it is all said and done?

The [Nuggets](https://www.si.com/nba/team/denver-nuggets) are deep and will have a chance to tweak their roster during the season as well. The East, once again, is tough, but I like the Bucks, who will get Khris Middleton back and who added Joe Ingles to the mix, to get out of the conference. [Nets](https://www.si.com/nba/team/brooklyn-nets) bow out of the postseason in a similar manner to last season? But the Bucks will get the best of the Nuggets in a marquee matchup between the two players who have won the last four MVPs. [Warriors](https://www.si.com/nba/team/golden-state-warriors), the [Nuggets](https://www.si.com/nba/team/denver-nuggets), and maybe even the Suns if they can [rebound from last season’s bizarre Game 7 loss](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/05/16/luka-doncic-leads-mavericks-game-7-victory-over-suns)—but arguably no team projects to be as balanced on either side as the Clippers. But—and this is a big, deep breath of a but—Brooklyn still has one of the most talented cores in the NBA, and the return of Joe Harris, coupled with the acquisitions of Royce O’Neale, Markieff Morris and T.J. [Nikola Jokić](https://www.si.com/nba/player/nikola-jokic) has ever played for, and it’s time for him to prove he can be the best player on a championship team. [Clippers](https://www.si.com/nba/team/los-angeles-clippers) have had since their celebrated 2019 haul of [Kawhi Leonard](https://www.si.com/nba/player/kawhi-leonard) and [Paul George](https://www.si.com/nba/player/paul-george). You can find our [award predictions](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/17/nba-award-predictions-mvp-rookie-of-the-year) and [burning questions here](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/18/nba-burning-questions-russell-westbrook-warriors-ben-simmons-daily-cover). It will be a seven-game war between these two but I think Kawhi outduels Giannis and LA takes the title. They are deep and if 100% whole and clicking I'll take them over my default pick in an absolutely stacked East in Milwaukee, who at least have fewer questions to answer than some of the other contenders. And while I think that very well could happen, I still think the East goes through Giannis and the Bucks.

Coming into the new NBA season, things feel more wide open, with more possible contenders than last season. At the same time, however, we could have on our ...

And if the former happens, why not look to trade Durant and bottom out in the hopes of a big prize that could jump-start a rebuild. There’s a fair bit of parity among the top teams in the NBA coming into the season. He came into training camp in tremendous shape as a sign that he’s looking to be a lot more serious than in seasons past but the Harden that shows up in the fall and winter is often different than the one that has played in the spring. For everyone else, however, including the teams that might only be fighting to make the playoffs or the play-in games, expect to see an intense race to the bottom for a chance to draft Wembanyama. Now, the Suns will have to deal with this fallout as the very foundation of the organization has been rocked and is about to be upheaved, all the while also dealing with an unhappy Deandre Ayton, who returns after the off-sheet he signed with the Pacers was matched by the Suns. But things can change at the trade deadline this season or even in the 2023 off-season. What should be a strong Warriors team coming in to defend its title might actually be a fractured club, though, thanks to the ugly altercation between Green and Poole that blew up all over social media. Memphis won 56 games last season and finished second in the Western Conference and there’s no reason to believe they can’t do the same or even better this season. There’s not much weakness to point to with this roster other than the injury bug. Their acquisition of Christian Wood from the Rockets appears like a good move, but he’s only ever put up numbers on a bad Houston Rockets team and is entering a contract year where he’ll be asked to come off the bench. That’s the question of the season for the Nuggets. As mentioned off the top, there are quite a few legitimate contenders to consider coming into the season.

BOULDER – Seven former University of Colorado men's basketball standouts – five players and two head coaches - are set for the 2022-23 NBA regular season ...

He averaged 19.1 points and 7.7 assists per game for the G-League Iowa Wolves in 2021-22. Originally a second-round pick by Detroit in 2014, Dinwiddie enters his ninth NBA season averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds over 387 career games. He has played the fourth-most NBA games of any former Buffalo, trailing only Chauncey Billups (1,043 in 17 seasons), Scott Wedman (906 in 13 seasons) and Jay Humphries (788 in 11 seasons). Wright is on a two-way contract with the Mavericks after joining the squad as a training camp invitee last month. Walker, selected by Portland with the 57th pick in the NBA Draft, played in five preseason games, averaging 5.2 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 60 percent. [Jabari Walker](/roster.aspx?rp_id=15382) (2020-22), tips off action with the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday at Sacramento at 8 p.m. White averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and played a key role in the Celtics run to the NBA Finals last season after a mid-season trade from San Antonio. Alec Burks (2009-11), Colorado's elder statesman among current NBA Buffs, debuts with the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Oct. Burks enters his 12th NBA season with his seventh team. Burks played the last two seasons with the New York Knicks, playing a career-best 81 games in 2021-22. White enters his sixth overall season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 263 career games. Derrick White (2016-17) and the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics tip off the former Buffaloes in the NBA on Tuesday, Oct.

The 2022-23 NBA season returns Tuesday. Here are our predictions on who will win the NBA Finals and additional award winners.

Two teams out West that could be in for something special if the stars align are the Pelicans with a healthy Zion Williamson and the Kings with their depth-filled roster. The Atlanta Hawks could jump back into the top tier of teams after landing Dejounte Murray while the Pacers and Detroit Pistons should both be fun to watch but not at serious playoff levels just yet. [Rookie of the Year](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/here-are-nba-rookie-year-favorites-2022-23), it’s fair to say [Sacramento Kings](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings) forward Keegan Murray is the rookie who will contribute the most out of the gate and claim the award. Based on my NBA Finals predictions, it would be safe to presume that Jokić and Antetokounmpo are once again in the conversation, along with Ja Morant, Curry and Tatum. New Orleans could be in for a 2021-22 Grizzlies jump in the standings while Sacramento could have a 2020-21 Grizzlies mini-breakout year. Rudy Gobert is probably in line for his record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award now that he’s tasked with cleaning up alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. An underrated name here could be Cleveland Cavaliers second-year center Evan Mobley, who came on strong as a rookie and has more potential in him. 8 overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans. Generally, teams that thrive in the postseason atmosphere possess superstars who defy the opposition’s tactics offensively and deploy a foundation of switchable defenders who are disciplined and can handle multiple positions. He brings both of those factors and raises the level of quality on the court. Another one is Dyson Daniels, the No. Most teams have a clean slate right now, especially with Kawhi Leonard returning to the

Everything you need to know about 76ers-Celtics and Lakers-Warriors as the 2022-23 season tips off.

Harden then allowed [Jayson Tatum](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065648/jayson-tatum) to coast by him for a layup on the following possession, and Embiid then committed his third foul at the other end. [Marcus Smart](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart) gets tangled up with Philly's [Joel Embiid](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid), who hooked his arm and drew a foul. While [Marcus Smart](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart) was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season, it was Horford (third in NBA) and [Robert Williams III](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066211/robert-williams-iii) (11th) who had the highest Defensive Real Plus Minus (DRPM) scores on the team. For all of the understandable focus on [Stephen Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry)'s heroics in that series, Boston lost because its offense couldn't get it done against Golden State's defense. [LeBron James](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) at power forward. He has already drawn three 3-point shooting fouls, including a completed four-point play, and also became the first player in the NBA to shoot the free throw for the new take-foul rule at the 6:13 mark of the first quarter. [Steph Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry) era, but the franchise has leaned into their total titles in new signage around the Chase Center. [Jaylen Brown](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3917376/jaylen-brown) then came over and got in Embiid's face. [What to know about all 30 teams](/nba/story/_/id/34795174/nba-season-preview-2022-23-contenders-stars-big-questions) [Al Horford](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3213/al-horford) is plus-12 in 18 minutes played even though he's only 1-for-4 from the field for 3 points. [Golden State Warriors](/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors) received their rings after winning their fourth title in the past eight seasons. "We don't want to be one of those teams -- and you very rarely see that in the NBA -- where teams are swaying according to who their opponent is starting," Ham said during his pregame remarks.

Who will win each conference and the NBA Finals? When will LeBron surpass Kareem as the all-time scoring champ? Our experts are making their predictions.

Tim MacMahon: Bucks over Warriors in 6 Tim Legler: Warriors over Bucks in 6 [What to know for '22-23](/nba/story/_/id/34795174/nba-season-preview-2022-23-contenders-stars-big-questions) James is 1,325 points behind [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4145/kareem-abdul-jabbar)'s mark, so we should expect the record to be broken some time near the 2022-23 season's second half. And while our expert panel places the defending champs among the contenders to reach the Finals again in 2023, we weren't as kind to the Celtics. [LA Clippers](/nba/team/_/name/lac/la-clippers) were a trendy pick among our panel, and rightfully so.

NBC Sports weekly NBA Power Rankings are back to start the season, and it has the defending champion Golden State Warriors on top.

Not having ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/okc_primary-icon/) [Chet Holmgren](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/66330/chet-holmgren) for the season sucks, but there’s still talent on this team worth watching in [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30582/shai-gilgeous-alexander) and [Josh Giddey](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/64758/josh-giddey). The Bulls are going to rely on a backcourt combo of [Ayo Dosunmu](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/51185/ayo-dosunmu) and [Alex Caruso](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30418/alex-caruso) to improve their defense. ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/nop_primary-icon/) [Zion Williamson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/50955/zion-williamson) will play in the opener against Brooklyn despite turning his ankle in the preseason. Look for another All-NBA season from [Pascal Siakam](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30322/pascal-siakam) and a step forward from Rookie of the Year [Scottie Barnes](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/63426/scottie-barnes). Not having ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/chi_primary-icon/) [Lonzo Ball](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30428/lonzo-ball) to start the season hurts, both defensively and he is their best guard at pushing the pace. The Hawks new All-Star backcourt of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/atl_primary-icon/) [Trae Young](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30576/trae-young) and [Dejounte Murray](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30324/dejounte-murray) were clearly still getting used to playing next to each other in the preseason, with a lot of “your turn/my turn” going on. It’s just preseason, but the Cavaliers’ new backcourt of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/cle_primary-icon/) [Darius Garland](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/51040/darius-garland) and [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30439/donovan-mitchell) showed some real chemistry playing off each other. The pressure is on the Clippers this season — this is a championship level roster on paper, one that overachieved last season basically without its stars and now get a healthy ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/lac_primary-icon/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29695/kawhi-leonard) and [Paul George](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29583/paul-george) to make that run. We didn’t see much of the twin towers of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/11/08/nba-power-rankings-detroit-minnesota-crash-top-five-party/min_primary-icon-2/) [Rudy Gobert](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29944/rudy-gobert) and [Karl-Anthony Towns](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30157/karl-anthony-towns) together in the preseason — they only played together in the final game against Brooklyn (and were -16 in the minutes both were on the floor). The Grizzlies lost more than they gained this offseason with DeAnthony Melton (76ers) and ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/mem_primary-icon/) [Kyle Anderson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30067/kyle-anderson) (Timberwolves) going out the door. Could ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/phi_primary-icon/) [Tyrese Maxey](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/58302/tyrese-maxey) be second on this team in scoring this season? This is a championship-level roster — better than the one that went to the Finals last season thanks to the addition of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/bos_primary-icon/) [Malcolm Brogdon](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30331/malcolm-brogdon) as a sixth man.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors received their 2021-22 NBA championship rings during a special pregame ceremony Tuesday during Champions Ring ...

Next month, the Warriors Community Foundation and Chase will launch a Championship Ring Sweepstakes, offering Warriors fans a chance to win an authentic 2021-22 NBA championship ring. Additional features on the sides of the ring include seven championship trophies to represent the franchise’s seven NBA championships, the team’s “Just Us” mantra, and more. [approximately 16 carats](https://www.nba.com/warriors/photos/warriors-2022-championship-rings) of yellow and white diamonds set into yellow gold to represent the team’s 16 wins during the 2022 NBA playoffs, marking the first time a championship ring has been made up primarily of yellow diamonds.

The Warriors received their 2022 NBA championship rings on Tuesday night and they certainly did not disappoint.

Additional features on the sides of the ring include seven Championship trophies to represent the franchise’s seven NBA Championships, the team’s “Just Us” mantra, and more." "The rings feature approximately 16 carats of yellow and white diamonds set into yellow gold to represent the team’s 16 wins during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, marking the first time a Championship ring has been made up primarily of yellow diamonds," the Warriors wrote in a statement. "Seven carats of yellow cushion cut diamonds on the bezel represent the team’s seven championships, while 43 baguettes in the bridge represent Stephen Curry’s 43-point performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals."

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Co. received their 2021-22 NBA championship rings in a ceremony ahead of the season opener vs. LeBron James and ...

The "NBA 75" logo was also added to commemorate the title coming in the league's 75th season. 6 [is being retired league-wide](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2022/08/11/bill-russell-no-6-permanently-retired-across-nba/10301336002/). [who died earlier this year at 88 years old](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2022/07/31/bill-russell-nba-celtics-legend-passes-away-88/101042728/), was honored before the Celtics' home opener Tuesday night. The Warriors went 11-1 at Chase Center in the playoffs, only dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals. All that is set on a design that mimics the Celtics' parquet floor. The Warriors never lost again.

At first glance, coach Steve Kerr was stunned by the size of the Warriors' 2022-23 NBA championship rings.

Click here to find out more about our partners. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices.

The Golden State Warriors didn't just take down the Lakers on Ring Night, they showed...

The providers of these cookies may use the data as explained in their privacy policies. You can opt out of these analytics cookies by unselecting the boxes below. You can continue to the site without accepting these cookies but certain features may not be available or function properly.

The Warriors had their ring ceremony on NBA Opening Night against the Lakers at home, where they received the gaudy new jewelry. The 16-carat rings, as these ...

The Warriors used yellow diamonds to make up the primary face of the ring, the first time that's been done for a championship ring, per the Warriors website. That's to highlight Curry's 43-point performance in Game 4 of the Finals against the Celtics. That's to represent the 91 percent winning percentage for the Warriors at home, another homage to their home-court advantage. 16 is representative of the 16 wins it took for the Warriors to win their seventh NBA championship. There's also a view of the interior of the arena down the side. To start, the rings' designs are modeled after the Warriors' home, the Chase Center.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, a basketball fan in a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey took his seat for a preseason NBA game in a sold-out arena.

The crowd went nuts anytime Hachimura touched the ball. Scores of people packed in to watch a pair of preseason games between the Washington Wizards — featuring This would have been unremarkable if not for the fact the game was taking place 5,000 miles away from US shores and the Cavaliers weren't even part of it.

The NBA Japan Games 2022 have come and gone, but Japanese fans are eager for more live viewing opportunities and the growth of the league in their country.

“Just to play in front of Japanese fans, it was a very special moment for me and the team and the country,” he said. “It was one of the great memories in my life,” he added. “I attended Game 1 and Saturday Night of the NBA Japan Games, Kokushi said. “This whole trip was special and different.” “It was a special moment for me, and this team, this country,” he said. “That’s what the game is about,” he said. While many Japanese kids play basketball in junior high and high school, its popularity as a spectator sport remains limited, so reaching adolescents at the age when basketball is a bigger part of their lives makes sense. “The best way to enjoy sports, not only the NBA, is to watch them live in an arena,” said Makoto Kokushi, a Los Angeles Lakers fan from Tokyo who works in the printing and publishing industry. Tanaka, for one, became an NBA fan in 2007 as a junior high school student when the league was still on TV, a fandom which has now persisted 15 years and counting. “Trying to build inspiration, confidence, fun for the next generation of kids that look up to us and love basketball, love sports.” “This showed us tons of Japanese guys love NBA Games.” And those experiences imprint, and make a level of difference.”

Every member of the deep Golden State roster had a moment to shine in Tuesday's win over the Lakers.

A team with 11 players deserving of significant minutes is a blessing and a curse, and the Warriors understand that just one game into the season. [Boston Celtics](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BOS/boston-celtics/). [Moses Moody](/nba/players/3177810/moses-moody/), who nearly every Warrior says plays and behaves beyond his years, looked like he was going to be the odd man out Tuesday night. Figuring out the secret sauce is going to be the key to the 2022-23 season. But even without a field goal, the 20-year-old showed how valuable he can be as a defender with his athleticism and versatility. [Andre Iguodala](/nba/players/498289/andre-iguodala/) when he's finally ready to play. So you have to just be patient with it, and we've all gone through it at some point in your career." Both said that Warriors observers needn't worry about the on-court chemistry between the two, and they proved it with one of the signature highlights of opening night, Poole's picture-perfect pocket pass to Green for a layup in the second quarter. They, like the veterans, each had a moment in the spotlight Tuesday night. [Kevon Looney](/nba/players/2152976/kevon-looney/) did what Kevon Looney does, putting up modest counting stats (seven points, six rebounds, two assists), but finishing at a team-high plus-30 in his 21 minutes. "He's just really good," Kerr said after the game. The Warriors' motto, "Strength in Numbers," is never more evident than on ring night.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Celtics beat the 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener.

The 10-time All-Star frustrated the Celtics, displaying the mobility he was missing a year ago. He was able to get to the free throw line often. The 76ers are looking to contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Harden embarking on his first full season in Philadelphia after being swapped for Ben Simmons late last season in a trade with Brooklyn.

The Warriors were a big winner Tuesday night as they got their 2022 NBA championship rings then kicked off a new season with a rout of the Lakers.

He likely will never coach the Celtics again, and his NBA future is in doubt. As they continue to improve – Tatum is in MVP candidate territory and Brown is on the verge of All-NBA status – the Celtics should remain contenders in the East. It was long past time the NBA took similar action. Mazzulla was a behind-the-bench assistant last season, but Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens believed in Mazzulla, who has earned the respect of Celtics players. Last season, Los Angeles was 22nd in 3-point percentage and 18th in 3-pointers made. The son of a high school coach, Mazzulla played at West Virginia and began his coaching career in 2011. Last season, there were more than 1,700 take fouls, new NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. the Lakers), Klay Thompson and Draymond Green aren’t playing for the Warriors, and the wins and titles won’t come as often as they do now. Outside of Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers with their 17 titles, no franchise has won more than the Warriors’ seven championships and four of those have happened in the previous eight seasons. They also defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109, and the Boston Celtics topped the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 as the NBA opened its 2022-23 season. Celebrating the 2022 championship one more time on Tuesday on Ring Night, the Warriors and their fans better make sure they appreciate these moments and this era. "Inside the NBA" isn’t caught up in breaking news or breaking down all the nuances of the pick-and-roll or analytics.

Stephen Curry and Golden State cruised past LeBron James and the Lakers on opening night.

[Warriors may not be a runaway favorite](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/18/nba-finals-predictions-expert-picks-clippers-bucks-warriors-nuggets) in the manner they were during say, the [Kevin Durant](https://www.si.com/nba/player/kevin-durant) years. [Stephen Curry](https://www.si.com/nba/player/stephen-curry) was the only player to play over 30 minutes, and even then it was only a leisurely 33. Not in the current NBA, in which no team is head and shoulders above anyone else, [and superteams have largely gone the way of starry duos](https://www.si.com/nba/2021/10/19/end-of-nba-dynasties). “It was a ring night and that's really what we were focused on finishing the first game. [celebrated its 2022 championship with a ring ceremony](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/19/warriors-celebrate-2022-title-ring-ceremony-before-season-opener) and [breezy win over the Lakers on opening night](https://www.si.com/nba/warriors/news/steph-curry-reacts-to-opening-night-win-over-lakers). Still, the Warriors certainly resembled the version of themselves capable of winning it all in Game 1. Something everyone on the team has echoed since the The weeks leading up to the game were filled with [speculation about the Warriors’ future](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/12/draymond-green-warriors-jordan-poole-punch-fined). The [123–109 win against the Lakers](https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/warriors-blow-out-lakers-in-season-opener-ak1987) followed a similar script to countless Warriors games from their best years. [could pick up right where it left off from when we last saw them](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry-2022-nba-champions-daily-cover), when Golden State was the last team standing in the playoffs. But he does have the luxury of always being able to fall back on Curry and whoever else has it going when the team needs to make a run. “It reminds me of ‘14-’15,” Kerr said of the team’s depth after the game.

After the Warriors surged past the Lakers on opening night, NBA Twitter was buzzing with different reactions.

Click here to find out more about our partners. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices.

The Warriors open their NBA title defense Tuesday against the Lakers, but first, there's a celebration: Golden State players will receive their championship ...

They, of course, did not win the title the previous season, but that game had a similar “ring night” feel to it.) The third point guard is normally a floor-general type and contrast to the scoring guards ahead of him. Still, NBA players are creatures of habit, and a prolonged ceremony before a regular-season game the team badly wants to win also represents a sharp break from that routine. Sometimes, I have to remember to score the ball.” The Warriors also dumped one of their two-ways and snatched up Ty Jerome on their quest for a point guard. A questioned, motivated Green is typically a great Green for the Warriors. The motivation for him to have a super charged, high impact regular season and playoffs is obvious. Jordan Poole is moving back to the bench with Klay Thompson in the lineup, but doesn’t need to obsess over how his minute and point totals will impact his market. Juan Toscano-Anderson, who knows the Warriors as well as anyone outside of the organization, said the key to defeating his former team is disrupting their offensive flow and taking away their preferred reads. The Lakers are going to have to scrap their base schemes and adjust to Golden State’s defense-bending shooting. Locking up Davis to start the year would be the kind of opening statement Green wants to start his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Ham said he plans on sticking with one lineup for a while, and not changing his starters game to game, so this is a grouping that the Lakers will likely try for at least a few games until re-evaluating.

Here's how NBA Twitter reacted to the Warriors blowing out the Lakers on opening night, plus James Harden's viral moment.

Click here to find out more about our partners. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices.

Of the 17 NBA franchises featuring a Wildcat, eight have multiple Kentucky players. Detroit and Sacramento each have a trio of Wildcats on their roster while ...

1 overall (Derrick Rose – 2008, Wall – 2010, Davis – 2012, Towns – 2015). In the 2022-23 season alone, former UK players are slated to make nearly $330 million. Booker and Towns each earned their third NBA All-Star selection. – Los Angeles Clippers Of the 17 NBA franchises featuring a Wildcat, eight have multiple Kentucky players. Duke, with 24, is the only other school with more than 20 players in the NBA.

With the NBA set to begin the 2022-23 season on Tuesday night, the Duke men's basketball program has 25 members of The Brotherhood on opening-day rosters.

16, Atlanta), Moore (No. 15, Charlotte), Griffin (No. 26, Dallas) and Keels (No. That includes 1984 Duke graduate Adam Silver The overall No. ), Charlotte (

Jayson Tatum has confidence-booster game, James Harden shows lethal touch and 76ers' new faces have rough debuts.

None of the three were major factors in the loss to the Celtics. A fair number of players who played at the same level of Griffin wouldn’t stick around for this. They’ll need to be at their best when the Sixers are matched against the East powers. It’s an inconvenience at best, and a big loss at worst, for Boston as the Celtics make do until then. But Horford is 36 and the Celtics are rather thin at the power positions. It made for an interesting test case against Embiid, who led the league in scoring last season and, for the second time, was runner-up in the Kia MVP voting. He reset over the summer, reduced weight, signed a team-friendly contract extension that allowed the Sixers to add other players and came to camp feeling determined. Also, he was guarded Tuesday by Marcus Smart, the reigning Kia Defensive Player of the Year. He arrived in midseason from Brooklyn and the initial expectations were just too steep and maybe unrealistic. By the way, Brown and Tatum have each had 30-plus points in the same regular season game 13 times in their careers together. Tatum had some terrific transitional moments against Philly where he made defensive stops and followed up with jumpers and layups, especially in the game-changing third quarter when the balance flipped to Boston. Last we saw Tatum, he was tossing bricks in the 2022 NBA Finals and coming up short in performance and energy against the Warriors.

'Tis the season for NBA prognosticating, with the league returning to the court for 2022-23 on Tuesday night. We released our forecast, which is based on ...

And you can keep track of how both systems view your favorite team all season long by checking out ESPN’s [BPI playoff odds](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/BPI-Playoff-Odds/espn-nba-basketball-power-index-playoff-odds) and [team ratings](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/Basketball-Power-Index/espn-nba-basketball-power-index), and [our NBA predictions dashboard](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2023-nba-predictions/). [injury Khris Middleton is still recovering from](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1582015598204424192) (remember, these are all current ratings), which takes a bite out of Milwaukee’s [projected rotation strength](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2023-nba-predictions/bucks/). [performance last season](https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2022.html) — while RAPTOR flips that around to a No. [1](#fn-1) [how much those players are projected to play](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-were-improving-our-nba-forecast-for-2022-23/), but BPI uses [Real Plus/Minus](http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm) as the basis of its player ratings (rather than RAPTOR) and has a self-regulating mechanism to adjust a team’s projections when it over- or underperforms the combined RPM values of its players. [3](#fn-3) [defense of Brook Lopez](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/?player=Brook%20Lopez&season=2021), who should be healthy again after missing all but 13 games last regular season. For Milwaukee, the difference is more on the offensive side of the ball – although the two systems’ disagreement on the Bucks is fairly comprehensive. 1 while RAPTOR ranks it No. However, there are some teams that each system likes (or dislikes) slightly more than the other: But we aren’t the only ones peering into the crystal (basket)ball: ESPN also [released a forecast](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/BPI-Playoff-Odds/espn-nba-basketball-power-index-playoff-odds) based its own rating system, the [Basketball Power Index](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/Basketball-Power-Index/espn-nba-basketball-power-index), which tracks team strength slightly differently than RAPTOR does. 13). We Both metrics adjust for strength of schedule, rest days and game location, building ratings from the bottom up based on the estimated talent of the players on each roster and [2](#fn-2) [Elo-ized form](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-we-calculate-nba-elo-ratings/) for [current rosters](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2023-nba-predictions/warriors/).

The 2022-23 NBA season tips off & last year's finalists Boston Celtics & Golden State Warriors are leading NBA title contenders again along with the LA ...

“FanDuel TV was designed for viewers to watch and wager and Run it Back will bring a 360° view of the NBA including wagering trends to our audience,” said FanDuel’s Chief Commercial Officer Mike Raffensperger. Curry earns the highest figure playing basketball and on the court this season at $48.1 million. 18 nightcap, and the Warriors are leading contenders again and co-favorites to win the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Forbes list of The defending champion Golden State Warriors battle the Los Angeles Lakers in the Oct. The Celtics are a leading favorite to return to the NBA finals for the second straight season, but a slight second choice behind the Eastern Conference favorite Milwaukee Bucks.

No player goes 1-on-1 more than Luka Doncic. There are plenty of impressive reasons why.

"When he plays, the only thing he hears is like the music that's playing in his head," Shammgod says. "And all of a sudden he finds a way to spin out and somehow shoots left-handed over his head -- and he makes those shots." During timeouts, Doncic will sometimes juggle the basketball with his foot, a flashback to his childhood playing soccer in Slovenia. "If you use the contact correctly, it's a big advantage, for sure." He often initiates contact, off the dribble or as he's going up to finish, using his strength to create pockets of space. "It's a fadeaway, so it's tough to block, tough to defend. The one-legged fadeaway has become such a respected part of Doncic's repertoire that he occasionally embarrasses defenders determined to contest it. It's a move that Doncic mastered between his rookie and sophomore seasons, essentially adding a midrange escape clause to his isolation game. "You want to have it where every dribbling move he does is a part of that [step-back] package, because that's his favorite shot," Shammgod says. "That's part of the fabric of who he is, because it can set up so many other things." "Sometimes as a coach you want to run all these plays," says Kidd, who has frequently surrounded Doncic with 3-point threats, employing five-out offenses to open the floor for him to operate. In these moments, the court feels like a canvas for Doncic, who Mavs coach Jason Kidd compared to a young Picasso at the start of last season.

Last year's conference champs showed exactly why they will be forces to be reckoned with over the course of this new season.

Domination from tip to buzzer by the Warriors, whose play matched the shine glimmering off the 2022 Championship rings they received in the pregame festivities. The game, though? Against any other conference foe, the Sixers might have come out on top on Tuesday. It feels like it was yesterday that Tommy was in kindergarten; that the first Hangover was in theaters; that Stephen Curry was winning his first title. On the other side, James Harden led the way in scoring for the 76ers with 35, while Joel Embiid poured in 26 of his own and snatched 15 rebounds. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 70 points (35 apiece) to pace the Celtics to victory.

No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero leads an intriguing group of newcomers in 2022-23.

He played well with the Cavs in Las Vegas (15 ppg, 4.8 rpg) but now might get more reps with the rebuilding Jazz. He hit 61% of his shots while averaging 14.4 points in five games and he led all rookies with 26 total assists (5.2 per game). With Holmgren out, Dieng has the distinction of being the Thunder rookie not named (Jaylin or Jalen) Williams. The Pistons envision a backcourt duo with last year’s No. One role model who’s been mentioned: Draymond Green, right down to the “triple-single” offensive results. As eager as Thunder fans were to see Holmgren play before the August foot injury that wiped out his season, they might get even more excited if the setback shifts OKC into an unabashed “2023 Draft” strategy. No. The only exceptions: New York’s Mark Jackson in 1988, the No. That happened in 2003 with Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire (9th overall in 2002) and again in 2014 with Michael Carter-Williams (11th overall). 18 pick overall in the previous spring’s draft; and Milwaukee’s Malcolm Brogdon in 2017, rising up from No. For one of the newcomers, there will be a special prize in about eight months: the Kia Rookie of the Year Award. Shaking commissioner Adam Silver’s hand on draft night was one thing; suiting up and playing in actual NBA regular-season competition is a whole other level.

Listing the top five basketball shoes worn during the opening night of the 2022-23 NBA season.

Meanwhile, James wore the Nike LeBron 20 in the 'Purple & Gold' colorway. The Nike LeBron 20 has flown off the shelves since its release in late September. We knew the 2022 NBA Finals MVP, Stephen Curry, would go big on ring night. Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden wore a new colorway of the Adidas Harden Vol. [complicated history](https://www.si.com/fannation/sneakers/on-court/jaden-ivey-makes-summer-league-debut-in-nike-kobe-6) of the shoes back in July. So it was only fitting that the German company supply the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year with special shoes for the big night. Below is our ranking of the top five shoes from the 2022 NBA Opening Night. Harden has worn different colorways of his 7th signature sneaker with Adidas throughout the summer. [Nike LeBron 20](https://www.si.com/fannation/sneakers/tag/nike-lebron-20) in the 'Time Machine' colorway. Later, the reigning champion Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. In the first matchup, the Boston Celtics handled the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the shoes still have not been released to the public.

A tough loss to Golden State ended Boston's championship hopes last season. The lessons from that series are already showing.

In their pregame huddle, the Celtics reminded one another to “honor the man” with their work that evening. [the business](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/sports/basketball/stephen-curry-nba-finals-golden-state.html) — in Game 6 of the N.B.A. Tuesday’s game was preceded by a ceremony to honor him that included [remarks from Brown](https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1582518825966182400?s=20&t=-1v69_U5sLJJvI1MyxKtvg) — “Our gratitude is endless,” he said — and [a new work by Porsha Olayiwola](https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1582516123609681920?s=20&t=-1v69_U5sLJJvI1MyxKtvg), Boston’s poet laureate. The Celtics wore special jerseys embroidered with 11 diamond patches, a nod to the 11 championships that the team won with Russell. Curry left Boston with [another championship](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/16/sports/basketball/golden-state-wins-nba-championship.html), and Tatum and Brown were left to contemplate how they could take the next step. The Celtics appear determined to play hard and play fast. “And I think playing with pace was one of the things they wanted to improve.” Brown shot 14 of 24 from the field, while Tatum shot 13 of 20 and grabbed 12 rebounds. Instead, the Celtics seemed to rededicate themselves to their singular goal of winning a championship. His [sudden absence](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/sports/basketball/jayson-tatum-ime-udoka-suspension-celtics.html) could have been disruptive. And if Joe Mazzulla, the team’s 34-year-old interim coach, is daunted by the task ahead of him, he hardly showed it Tuesday night as the Celtics opened their season with a 126-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. BOSTON — The Celtics talked an awful lot in training camp about the value of experience.

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) and Chris Paul (3) slap hands during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Adelaide 36ers, Sunday, ...

Bridges: +10000 (tied for 43rd) Ayton: +5500 (tied for 23rd) Ayton: +13000 (tied for 29th)

It's easily forgotten that NBA is actually an acronym that stands for National Basketball Association. For a casual observer that follows the league's ...

A performance close to last season’s, and a top-two, maybe even top-three finish in the East as long as they win at least 55 games — the award will go to him. Maxey should continue to ascend after the huge jump he took last season, and Harden appears to be more focused than he has ever been. It started in the 2021 playoffs, and carried over because they delayed fixing the biggest problem that after that loss to the Atlanta Hawks: Ben Simmons could never put on a 76ers uniform again. Then came the playoffs, and in two rounds he completely separated himself from the rest of the league. If the Bucks get back to the top of the East, and Antetokounmpo continues his warpath from the playoffs, he can snatch a third MVP. He is the best player statistically in the NBA for the last two seasons, and it hasn’t been close. Only Bobby Portis made it to 70 total games played for the Bucks last season, as injuries and pacing after being forced to return to action 90 days after a full 82-game plus championship season resulted in them only winning 51 games. Jamal Murray has spent a year and a half recovering from his ACL surgery, and should be ready to bring back the most devastating pick-and-roll attack in the game. 1 seed, and Jokić again leads the NBA in every advanced metric, the MVP voters will have to do what they haven’t since Larry Bird — award a player the MVP for the third consecutive season. Then when Dončić returned from injury at the start of the new year, he and his team surged as the star guard averaged 30.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game on 46.2/36.6/75.9 shooting splits, and the Mavericks went on to win more than 50 games for the first time since their 2011 championship. All of this healthy talent, and young players rapidly improving, should result in one of the best MVP races in recent memory. The G-League is a real source for players, as well as every corner of planet Earth.

The Phoenix Suns are under extraordinary scrutiny and pressure as they kick off the 2022-23 season Wednesday night at home against the Dallas Mavericks.

- Going into the playoffs, Phoenix had a nine-game winning streak against Dallas, who hadn't beat the Suns since November 2019. - Well, Dallas already proved to be the better team at the end of last year. Plus the Mavs added the aging big-man shot blocker JaVale McGee (from Phoenix) and solid six-man Christian Wood. In Game 7 against Dallas, Williams benched the struggling Ayton. They entered the postseason with perhaps the highest expectations they've ever faced. 2 option when Jalen Brunson went to the New York Knicks in free agency, Spencer Dinwiddie has proved he can step up when needed.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) acknowledges the crowd as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel. Tatum's offseason work was on full display Tuesday in the ...

Inspired by the [Celtics](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/19/celtics-pay-tribute-to-bill-russell-in-season-opener-vs-76ers)’ [ pregame ceremony honoring Bill Russell](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/19/celtics-pay-tribute-to-bill-russell-in-season-opener-vs-76ers) (“It was unique and special,” Brown said), Brown shot 14-of-24 from the floor. “From the start of the game, the confidence was oozing out of him,” Smart said. [Marcus Smart](https://www.si.com/nba/player/marcus-smart) chipped in 14. [remains paper thin on its front line with Robert Williams III out](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/09/29/robert-williams-celtics-knee-injury-ime-udoka). “[The bench] wants to be able to push the pace,” said Brogdon. [NBA-best defense powered Boston’s trip to the Finals](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/celtics-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-marcus-smart-future-nba-finals-loss) in June. [key offseason acquisition](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/07/01/malcolm-brogdon-celtics-pacers-nba-trade-grades), scored 16 points. “Once we were able to get back in the flow of the game by not fouling and getting stops, we were able to get to our strengths offensively.” “If that's dominating, if that's being the best player to lead, that is what it is.” Any list of the NBA’s top duos has Brown and Tatum on it, and it may not be long before the debate becomes if there is any tandem better. Yet coming off his first NBA Finals appearance, [those close to him observed something new](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/12/boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-ime-udoka-controversy-daily-cover). In the middle of it was Tatum, who possesses one of the NBA’s most complete offensive skill sets with his size, length and athleticism combined with his hair-trigger release and soft touch around the rim.

A look at who will take home some hardware at year's end — plus a finals forecast.

We have scouted the league at-large to predict the names who will stand tall at season’s end by having the most impact on their team’s success. Who will have a bounce-back year? Who will regress?

RotoWire gives insight on key players and values for Yahoo NBA DFS ahead of tonight's 12-game slate.

[Domantas Sabonis](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/domantas-sabonis-3865). [Keldon Johnson](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/keldon-johnson-4782), SAS vs. [Rudy Gobert](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/rudy-gobert-3440) ($28) into Minnesota’s starting lineup. Memphis will rely on [Brandon Clarke](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/brandon-clarke-4819) ($15) to out-maneuver the dominating duo, and it just doesn’t look like a favorable spot for Adams, who stacks up much better against teams with only one standout frontcourt player. NY ($10) [Markelle Fultz](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/markelle-fultz-4100) (toe) is once again sidelined, so the job is Anthony’s to lose, but he’ll need to shoot much better to keep it. WAS ($23) [Terry Rozier](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/terry-rozier-3736), CHA @ SAS ($25) [LaMelo Ball](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/lamelo-ball-5151) (ankle) begins the season sidelined, making Rozier a great streaming option for Charlotte’s offense against a Spurs team in rebuild mode. OKC ($32) [Paolo Banchero](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/paolo-banchero-5700) ($25), and he is likely to start and have an immediate impact on the offense. [Dejounte Murray](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/dejounte-murray-3856) ($32) into the Atlanta backcourt should only help Young, who has had to carry enormous weight for the Hawks over his four-year tenure with the team. HOU ($37)

From NBA League Pass to streaming discounts, here are ways to watch NBA games without cable.

Meanwhile, Sling TV’s streaming packages are half off (regularly $35/month) and Hulu + Live TV is $69.99 a month for 75+ channels, plus you’ll get access to [ESPN+](https://go.web.plus.espn.com/9WWGEQ) and [Hulu](https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=JRLLPXArni8&offerid=852731.18&type=3&subid=0). [NBA League Pass](https://amzn.to/3MM6i37?asc_source=web&asc_campaign=web&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fculture%2Fproduct-recommendations%2Fnba-schedule-how-to-watch-games-without-cable-1235158064%2F)? Some of the NBA League Pass games scheduled for Wednesday include the Orlando Magic vs. It’s $14.99 a month after a free trail, but Direct TV Stream and Sling TV subscribers can enjoy a free preview of NBA League Pass until Oct. For example, Direct TV Stream is $69.99 a month for its cheapest streaming package (75+ channels, unlimited DVR storage, etc.). Right now, Direct TV Stream’s more expensive packages are discounted $10 for the first five months, which means that you can upgrade to the Choice package (105+ channels, unlimited DVR, regional sports networks included) for just $79.99 a month. To make things easier, we’ve collected a short list of some of the more affordable streaming options and what they offer. The NBA season is held from Oct. See the full schedule of NBA games What’s on the NBA scheduled this week? 18) with the Golden State Warriors beating the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109, and the Boston Celtics beating the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117. The New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies game will air on Wednesday (Oct.

Everything you need to know to place your NBA bets and set your fantasy basketball lineups for Wednesday's 12-game slate.

[Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278073/shai-gilgeous-alexander). [Seth Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2326307/seth-curry) (ankle), [Joe Harris](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2528794/joe-harris) (ankle), [T.J. [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3908809/donovan-mitchell). Warren](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2982334/tj-warren) (foot), [Kira Lewis Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395698/kira-lewis-jr). [Otto Porter Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2594922/otto-porter-jr). -Moody [Denver Nuggets](/nba/team/_/name/den/denver-nuggets) at [Utah Jazz](/nba/team/_/name/utah/utah-jazz) [Trae Young](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277905/trae-young) double-double (+159). [Vernon Carey Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4431669/vernon-carey-jr). [Tyrese Haliburton](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4396993/tyrese-haliburton) over 15.5 points. [Jaren Jackson Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277961/jaren-jackson-jr). [Jalen Brunson](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3934672/jalen-brunson) over 18.5 points. [Ja Morant](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4279888/ja-morant) has done nothing but seize the moment.

The wait is finally over. The NBA is back, and Monday night's opening matchups did not disappoint: from the tunnel fits to a head-to-head matchup in Boston ...

[Their young core](https://www.slamonline.com/nba/steve-kerr-on-the-strong-foundation-the-warriors-have-built/) ( [Moses](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/moses-moody/) [Moody](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/Moses-Moody/), [James Wiseman](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/James-Wiseman/), [Jonathan Kuminga](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/Jonathan-Kuminga/)) came in off the bench and provided valuable minutes. [Draymond Green](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/draymond-green/) and [Kevon Looney](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/kevon-looney/) anchored a strong defensive performance. [](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/moses-moody/) October 18th marked the beginning of the NBA season, but it was also Britney Griner’s 32nd birthday. Near the end of their contest against the Celtics, Stan Van Gundy joked that Mazzulla now has the best winning percentage in NBA history. After the game, The King was quick to recognize this deficiency in the Lakers’ offense, citing a lack of “lasers.” The Dubs had their trademark explosive third quarter, and signature contributions from [Klay Thompson](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/klay-thompson/), [Jordan Poole](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/jordan-poole/), Curry, and [Andrew Wiggins](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/andrew-wiggins/) on offense guided them to a win. Darvin Ham and Joe Mazzulla both made their head coaching debuts on opening night. 6 retired around the League, and every team is wearing a “6” patch on their jersey to honor him. The NBA is back, and Monday night’s opening matchups did not disappoint: from the tunnel fits to a head-to-head matchup in Boston and ring night in the Bay. They have three ECF trips under their belt and a recent appearance in the NBA Finals — they’re not supposed to still be getting better. Both were attacking from every part of the floor.

From James Harden to Blake Griffin, these players made memorable fashion statements on opening night.

[Boston Celtics](/nba/team/_/name/bos/boston-celtics) [#DubNation] [pic.twitter.com/8kiHmWOUlQ] [October 18, 2022] [Philadelphia 76ers](/nba/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-76ers) vs. Davison rocked a Vols jersey pregame days after Tennessee's football team [defeated Alabama's](/college-football/story/_/id/34817965/nick-saban-wants-alabama-focused-loose-loss-tennessee) in Knoxville. [@sixers]debut tonight on TNT [pic.twitter.com/VZlyhjjhQL] [October 18, 2022] [P.J. [Los Angeles Lakers](/nba/team/_/name/lal/los-angeles-lakers) vs. [Read more: Must-see moments from NBA Opening Night](/nba/story/_/id/34823535/nba-opening-night-76ers-celtics-lakers-warriors-live-highlights-reactions-takeaways) [Blake Griffin](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3989/blake-griffin). [JD Davison](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4576085/jd-davison) lost a bet to teammate [Grant Williams](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066218/grant-williams), a Tennessee alum. At the 2003 NBA draft, James turned heads with his memorable white suit. [https://t.co/gqPVz7vQ9i] [pic.twitter.com/8CsSvv31FJ] [October 18, 2022] [Al Horford](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3213/al-horford) and [Malcolm Brogdon](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2566769/malcolm-brogdon) all stepped out in fashionable attire for the season opener. [Golden State Warriors](/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors)

Ahead of tonight's 12-game slate, FantasyPros sheds light on key players and values for DraftKings and FanDuel.

He also dropped a triple-double in his final outing, and we could be looking at a Giannis-like rise if the Thunder allow him to run the show. He was a stud when playing in that role last year, averaging 30 fantasy points per game. Washington](https://www.nba.com/player/1629023/pj-washington) (PF/C – CHA): $7,100 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel He simply does everything for this team. He’s the leader of this lackluster OKC roster, averaging 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 2021-22. With Ball off the floor last season, Rozier led the team with a 27% usage rate while averaging 1.1 DK points per minute. Sacramento has also been one of the worst defenses over the last five seasons, with Lillard averaging 59 DK points per game in their last four meetings. Lillard flirted with a 40% usage rate with McCollum off the floor, averaging 1.6 DK points per minute in those stretches. He also led the league with 60 DK points per game and will obliterate a tanking Utah team that traded away the best defensive center in the NBA over the summer. That led to Fox’s best stretch of his career, averaging 28.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists across the final 17 games of last season. The 23-year-old had at least 36 DraftKings points in his final 37 games, generating a 49-point average in that span. Murray is one of the NBA’s best stat-stuffers, averaging 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season.

Lean the Pacers, the over in Kings-Trail Blazers and Tre Jones sinking a 3.

[Aleksej Pokusevski](/nba/players/3158639/aleksej-pokusevski/)? [Darius Bazley](/nba/players/3118842/darius-bazley/)? [Jeremiah Robinson-Earl](/nba/players/3141741/jeremiah-robinson-earl/)? The [Warriors](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/GS/golden-state-warriors/) beat the [Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/). The pick: Pelicans +3 [Washington Wizards](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/WAS/washington-wizards/) at [Indiana Pacers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/IND/indiana-pacers/) The pick: Pacers +2 [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/OKC/oklahoma-city-thunder/) at [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIN/minnesota-timberwolves/) [Celtics](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BOS/boston-celtics/) beat the [76ers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/PHI/philadelphia-76ers/). [Myles Turner](/nba/players/2152935/myles-turner/) and [Buddy Hield](/nba/players/2019264/buddy-hield/) are still here. The pick: Towns over 22.5 points [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/POR/portland-trail-blazers/) at [Sacramento Kings](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/SAC/sacramento-kings/) [Tyrese Haliburton](/nba/players/3041074/tyrese-haliburton/) is healthy and awesome. [Zion Williamson](/nba/players/3042398/zion-williamson/) props. Brooklyn has perhaps the worst interior defense in the NBA, and that is going to be amplified with the absence of [Seth Curry](/nba/players/2089523/seth-curry/) and [Joe Harris](/nba/players/2135535/joe-harris/).

Is Joel Embiid going to win MVP? Is Jordan Poole the runaway favorite for Sixth Man? We talk NBA awards and how to bet them in this PBT Podcast.

Officer Craig Warren said in the report that Bouknight had glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. “Cliff has been there for me every step of the way since he got here,” Bouknight said. Police said that once Bouknight was awake, he refused to comply with commands and appeared confused for several minutes. He had the handgun in his hands. Bouknight was placed under arrest for DWI since he was in a public area and behind the wheel of a running vehicle, in drive, in the traffic way while intoxicated. According to the police report, officers saw Bouknight unconscious inside the vehicle with the vehicle running and in drive.

The Golden State Warriors collected their NBA championship rings on opening night before smashing the Los Angeles Lakers, 123-109. After watching this game, ...

But when it counts, they’ll be there in the end because they know what it takes to win and know they need to set a steady pace through the regular season. The Clippers might have the best opportunity based on their personnel and depth, but in a clutch situation in the postseason, the Warriors have proven to be head and shoulders above the rest too many times. Much prayer will be needed to put this team in a position to compete for a championship. Donte DiVincenzo came over to Golden State in the offseason and, in his first game, shot 50 percent overall and from three-point land. In fact, this version could surpass the 2016-19 version because they’ve meshed the old and the new together and already proved you can win a championship while building for the future. One thing you look for in a team’s first couple of games after winning a championship the previous season is how hungry they are.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Game Recap. Before the start of training camp, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle dubbed the ...

The only player to score more in franchise history in his first career game was his teammate Chris Duarte, who scored 27 points at Charlotte in the season opener last season on Oct. And it was really fun just playing with him and the rest of my teammates." "We just had to have a reality check after the first quarter. He's a pure, pass-first point guard all the way, but they got off to a 6-0 start, we had two bad possessions, he came down, pulled up for three and knocked it in because that's what we needed at that time." But the Pacers rallied, as Hield scored five points during a 9-0 Indiana run that cut the deficit to 44-43 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half. He missed the second half of last season with a foot injury and has not seen the court in a regular-season game since Jan. The Pacers announced their intentions to not go quietly into the opening night at the start of the third quarter with a pair of thunderous dunks. Two quick Wizards baskets to start the final frame forced a quick timeout by Carlisle. Mathurin made his long-awaited NBA debut at that point, checking in to a loud ovation with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter. Mathurin drew a foul and hit both free throws at 4:31, then knocked down back-to-back threes in the final minute of the first to cap an impressive 10-point opening quarter. The lengthy sharpshooter scored 10 straight Wizards points to help the visitors out to a 21-11 lead. He couldn't get it to fall, however, and Indiana was forced to foul on the other end, where Will Barton made two free throws with 14.8 seconds remaining to seal a victory for Washington.

Looking spry and explosive, Zion Williamson returned from an 18-month absence with 25 points and 9 rebounds.

Unrestricted free agency awaits Kyrie next summer; in the meantime, Irving has that much time to put opening night in the rearview and prove that it was a fluke. And while Durant, Irving and Simmons are all in uniform, the Nets can’t be accurately judged one way or another until Seth Curry and Joe Harris return to the rotation. Therefore, he comes into 2022-23 with plenty of incentive to (a) put aside his quirks, especially if they interfere with his play or threaten the team’s success, and (b) deliver a star-quality season. Question: When was the last time the Nets were at full strength since Durant and Irving teamed up in the summer of 2019? It’s the first of 82, and the Nets have clearly stated a desire to remain patient with Simmons … Kyrie shot just 6-for-19, missed all six of his 3-pointers, and when the Nets needed a second option, he couldn’t fulfill the role. The good news for the Nets is Kyrie is actually eligible to play at home, which wasn’t always the case last season because of his vaccination status. The success and failure of the Pelicans this season, therefore, will rest with what they can muster defensively. The force and rim-attacking and gentle touch around the basket all resurfaced and rekindled the image of Zion as a dominant player, which he was during most of the 85 games played in his short and injury-interrupted career. That said, the level of disappointment needs to be placed in the proper context: It wasn’t anything like his playoff game finish in Philly two years ago when he bypassed a layup over the Hawks’ Trae Young, and there won’t be any dreadful fallout from this game. He also showed a very solid cohesion with Brandon Ingram and the two Pelicans had a 1-2 inside-outside punch all night, with Ingram dropping 28 points. And yet, Simmons in Brooklyn looked suspiciously like the last time we saw Simmons in Philly.

DeMar DeRozan joins Michael Jordan in Bulls history, Rudy Gobert saves Wolves, and Atlanta's new backcourt goes off.

He made five of his nine 3-pointers and was a perfect 12 for 12 from the free-throw line (he was as annoying as ever with the bogus fall-down/landing-space fouls on 3-pointers, drawing a total of three of them with a four-point play). With a little over a minute to play and the Kings up one, Fox tried to force his way to the rim against a retreating Jerami Grant, but Grant never lost radar lock on Fox and took the hit right in the chest for a charge. Toronto was the only team in the league last season to boast five players who averaged at least 15 points per game, and all five of those guys put up at least 15 again in an opening-night victory over the Cavaliers. Curry's 3-point shot (4 for 13) was off for the most part on ring night for the Warriors, but it doesn't matter. Grant Williams, who was perfect from the field, including 3 of 3 from deep, and Malcolm Brogdon combined for 31 points off the bench. Morant finished with 34 points and nine assists, knocking down three of his six 3-pointers to get the Grizzlies off on the right foot. Devin Booker had 28 points, but it was Damion Lee, who scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter, who hit the game-winner with under 10 seconds to play. Throw in De'Andre Hunter, fresh off his $95 million extension, and John Collins combining for 46 points on a blistering 19-for-27 shooting, and the Hawks are off and running. Oh by the way, DeRozan joined Michael Jordan (who did it three times) as the only players in Bulls history to record at least 30 points, five assists and five rebounds in a season opener. He operated mostly as a screener in the half-court and made a few nice interior passes, but for the most part he was just another body running around out there. Here are some of the biggest opening-night(s) headlines with just two teams (Clippers and Bucks) yet to play a game. He made no real impact on the game, bricking his only two free throws and getting repeatedly bull-rushed by Williamson in the paint.

BOULDER – Seven former University of Colorado men's basketball standouts – five players and two head coaches - are set for the 2022-23 NBA regular season ...

He averaged 19.1 points and 7.7 assists per game for the G-League Iowa Wolves in 2021-22. Originally a second-round pick by Detroit in 2014, Dinwiddie enters his ninth NBA season averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds over 387 career games. He has played the fourth-most NBA games of any former Buffalo, trailing only Chauncey Billups (1,043 in 17 seasons), Scott Wedman (906 in 13 seasons) and Jay Humphries (788 in 11 seasons). Wright is on a two-way contract with the Mavericks after joining the squad as a training camp invitee last month. Walker, selected by Portland with the 57th pick in the NBA Draft, played in five preseason games, averaging 5.2 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 60 percent. [Jabari Walker](/roster.aspx?rp_id=15382) (2020-22), tips off action with the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday at Sacramento at 8 p.m. White averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and played a key role in the Celtics run to the NBA Finals last season after a mid-season trade from San Antonio. Alec Burks (2009-11), Colorado's elder statesman among current NBA Buffs, debuts with the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Oct. Burks enters his 12th NBA season with his seventh team. Burks played the last two seasons with the New York Knicks, playing a career-best 81 games in 2021-22. White enters his sixth overall season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 263 career games. Derrick White (2016-17) and the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics tip off the former Buffaloes in the NBA on Tuesday, Oct.

Visit ESPN for the game recap of the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets NBA basketball game on October 19, 2022.

[Joe Harris](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2528794/joe-harris) (sore left foot) and [Seth Curry](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2326307/seth-curry) (left ankle) not ready for the start of the season. [Jonas Valanciunas](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6477/jonas-valanciunas) had 15 points and 13 rebounds and New Orleans outrebounded Brooklyn 61-39. [Patty Mills](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4004/patty-mills) had 16 points and Irving managed 15 on 6-for-19 shooting, going 0 for 6 from 3-point range. ... Irving addressed the crowd before the start of the game and made a plea for the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison. Pelicans: Green said he could tell during the Pelicans' playoff run last season that Williamson had moved beyond the disappointment of injury rehab to excitement for playing again. “It’s very difficult going through injuries, especially when you’re really young and you’ve been working your tail off to try and be prepared to come in and help your team and you suffer a setback,” Green said. “So he had to navigate through all of those things. His basket-shaking dunk with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining brought some of the few cheers from a dejected crowd who watched the home team never lead and trail by as many as 26. A first-round exit — when Simmons never played because of back problems after being acquired for He fouled out early in the fourth quarter with four points, five rebounds and five assists, taking three shots. “It takes time," Simmons said. The No.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans opened their NBA season with a punishing 130-108 victory over the star-studded Nets in Brooklyn on Wednesday.

In Memphis the Grizzlies thwarted the New York Knicks' comeback bid for a 115-112 overtime victory. we're a resilient team and it showed." "It's crazy," said Williamson, the 2019 top draft pick who at 22 has already battled a raft of injuries. 1 draft pick Paolo Banchero. I'm just excited to go." "I'm still learning my teammates...

Not only did all three of New Orleans' stars shine brightly, so too did other Pels who stepped out onto the floor.

As a team, the Pelicans grabbed 12 more offensive rebounds in leading to a lopsided 61-39 overall advantage on the glass. Irving was off, hitting only six of 19 shot attempts, and the Net’s defense was just porous throughout. We can all still vividly remember his performances in the play-in games and playoffs from last spring, but he legitimately looked to be an improved player over that version of himself. You know, points in the paint, getting to the free throw line, we shot the ball well, and we took care of the basketball. He also added nine rebounds and dropped a couple of dimes. He really controlled the game well, and it appeared playing most of his minutes alongside Williamson greatly aided the generational talent to enjoy a fantastic debut after his long layoff. “I told our guys in the locker room that’s what our team is about. In 24 minutes, the second-year man hit four of six 3s to finish with 16 points. [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.thebirdwrites.com) arrived in Brooklyn in hopes of finding a way to claw out a victory against, at worst, a near championship contender. Glancing at his box score, like tonight’s six-point, four-rebound, three-assist line, will never reveal the whole story, but just ask Durant about consistently being hounded by Jones. It’s fun to watch.” “Wire-to-wire, I thought it was a pretty dominant performance.