NBA Schedule 2020-21: Lakers Start Opening Night Vs. Clippers, Christmas Day Games Full of Starpower
The NBA is back, quicker than ever before! After the Los Angeles Lakers just wrapped up an NBA Finals win at the bubble site in October, they’ll be back to work in December. The league recently unveiled the NBA schedule 2020-21 edition and it features a doubleheader to to tip things off on December 22. Not only will the Lakers be featured, but also three other superstar-heavy squads.
Opening night games: Lakers vs. Clippers, Warriors vs. Nets tip-off 2020-21
The NBA schedule 2020-21 officially starts with two games featured on Tuesday, December 22. First up, will be Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets under new coach Steve Nash. They’ll take on a team that went from amongst the best in decades to a basement-dweller last season. The Golden State Warriors will start off their campaign, hoping for better success now that they’ve added big man James Wiseman from the recent NBA Draft.
The doubleheader brings the 2020 NBA Champions under the spotlight for a battle with their in-state and city rivals at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the champion Lakers will host Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the LA Clippers. The Lakers just recently gained Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers, making for an interesting matchup.
Both games will be featured on TNT with all the pre-game and post-game analysis that fans have come to expect from the network’s crew.
The Lakers are looking towards the new season as their top stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis return to compete for a second-straight title. Davis just recently signed a five-year max contract worth $190M to keep him around for the foreseeable future. LeBron James also recently signed to stay with the Lakers through the 2022-23 season to keep the superstar duo intact.
NBA schedule 2020-21 features five Christmas Day games
In recent seasons, Christmas Day has featured plenty of basketball action to enjoy and that theme looks like it will continue. The NBA schedule for 2020-21 brings a variety of stars to the court for viewers to watch as they enjoy their holiday. The Christmas Day games schedule begins with Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans battling NBA Finals runner-up team, Miami, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
That’s followed by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Golden State Warriors (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC). How will this Warriors team look after last season, and with the addition of big man rookie, James Wiseman?
At 5 p.m. Eastern Time, it’s the Boston Celtics who recently signed big man Tristan Thompson. He’ll join Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum as they host the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are hoping that new coach Steve Nash along with stars KD and Irving will bring a Christmas win.
Also shown on the schedule above are two great games set for Christmas night. LeBron and the Lakers will host rising superstar Luka Doncic and the Mavs starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Televised and online coverage is available via ABC/ESPN. At 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the super-talented Denver Nuggets led by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic will host the Los Angeles Clippers on ESPN.
NBA Championship odds update
We looked at NBA Championship odds for the new season just as the Lakers captured the title a few months ago. Los Angeles was the favorite just after LeBron and AD won their first titles with the team. The Bucks were also near the top.
Not much has changed there, as the Lakers still top all teams with +300 to +330 odds at several sports books, per Vegas Insider. The Bucks come in second despite their early exit at the bubble, with +450 to +550 odds. The Nets (+600), Clippers (+650-700), and Celtics (+1300) round out the top five.
Interestingly, Jimmy Butler and the Heat are sixth with +1500 odds, just ahead of the 2019 champions, the Toronto Raptors (+2000). Also interesting, the Dallas Mavericks are amongst the top 10 at +2200 odds in a tie with Denver, and Phoenix sits at +4000 thanks to the addition of Chris Paul.
One other note of interest is that the Washington Wizards’ odd are +20000 despite the fact they made the big trade to add Russell Westbrook while losing John Wall. Will the Wizards be better than advertised with the combo of Westbrook and Bradley Beal? See full odds via Vegas Insider futures.
Fans are certainly excited to see what the NBA schedule 2020-21 has in store! See our NBA page to get more updates on players, teams, and odds!
