The NBA is back.
Last week, the league's board of governors and the players' union both approved plans -- a 22-team, 8-game wrap-up to the regular season followed by a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed and playoffs -- to resume the 2019-20 season on July 31 inside Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
As we count the days until tip-off in Orlando, our experts are breaking down each team's road to a restart, big bubble questions, high stakes and stats to know before basketball makes its return.
Note: NBA title odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.
MORE: What we can't wait to see when the NBA returns
Jump to a team:Bucks | Lakers | Raptors | Clippers | CelticsNuggets | Jazz | Heat | Thunder | Rockets | Pacers76ers | Mavericks | Grizzlies | Nets | Magic | BlazersPelicans | Kings | Spurs | Suns | Wizards
2019-20 record: 53-12 (.815)Vegas title odds: +275
Although Milwaukee's quest for 70 wins had officially ended before the pandemic halted play, the Bucks were still leading the NBA in victories this season. Simply put, Milwaukee remains in a serious title pursuit.
How they got hereGiannis Antetokounmpo hit the hiatus as the front-runner to repeat as the league's MVP with Milwaukee at 53-12. The Bucks have been dominant on the defensive end -- their 101.6 defensive rating is by far the best in the league -- but they did drop three straight games for the first time under coach Mike Budenholzer before the shutdown. Although Giannis is the clear-cut No. 1 option in Milwaukee, fellow All-Star Khris Middleton as well as Eric Bledsoe and the rest of the supporting cast bolster this contender.
1:48
Chiney Ogwumike breaks down her picks for the NBA Eastern Conference teams that have benefited the most, and who have been hurt the most, due to the halt of the season.
What's at stake?Over Antetokounmpo's tenure in Milwaukee, the squad has gone from a 15-win team in his rookie season to an East juggernaut by putting together a strong front office with players to complement his skill set. But what happens inside the bubble could affect Antetokounmpo's decision to remain in Milwaukee down the line. He obviously loves the city, but he wants to win now more than ever.
Big question after the layoff: Can the Bucks salvage their momentum?Although Bucks players remained in shape with in-home workouts, both Antetokounmpo and Middleton admitted to not playing basketball during the early stages because they didn't have access to a hoop before the practice facility reopened. So can guys get back in that winning mindset? Will they be ready? Budenholzer said that all along they were "operating and functioning [with] a mentality that we will play." Now that a plan to play is set, it's time for the East's best team to prove their dominant regular season was just the beginning.
Did you know?The Bucks have beaten opponents by an average of 11.3 points per game, which would be the fifth-largest average margin of victory in NBA history. The four teams ahead of them -- the 1972 Lakers, 1971 Bucks, 1996 Bulls and 2017 Warriors -- all won titles.
-- Eric Woodyard
2019-20 record: 49-14 (.778)Vegas title odds: +200
Just when the Lakers were rolling -- they won four of five, including statements over the Bucks and Clippers in consecutive games in early March -- the season stopped. Now LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Co. will regroup and try to give Los Angeles its first title since 2010.
How they got hereThe NBA's hiatus in response to the coronavirus pandemic was nearing the two-month mark in late April when James took to Twitter to refute a report that some within league circles were calling to scrap the season. "As soon as it's safe we would like to finish our season," he wrote, in part. "I'm ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything." James, a top contender for MVP, playing alongside new teammate Davis, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, appeared as motivated as ever to get back on track after a rocky first year in L.A.
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Dave McMenamin discusses the Lakers' reaction to the NBA season returning as they have championship aspirations.
What's at stake?Quite simply, this is perhaps James' last and best chance to win his fourth NBA championship. At 35 and in Year 17 in the league, his hold on the sport can't last forever. The Lakers' success thus far has made Davis' future plans a foregone conclusion -- he holds a player option for next season, but nobody believes he won't be back in purple and gold. James and Davis should get a chance to run it back next season no matter what happens in Orlando, but with younger teams like Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia and the LA Clippers on the rise, now could be the Lakers' moment with key role player Dwight Howard headed to free agency and important contributors Danny Green and Rajon Rondo getting older.
Big question after the layoff: Could DeMarcus Cousins return to the Lakers?When we last left the Lakers, Cousins -- signed last summer and subsequently lost for the season with a blown knee -- had been waived to make room for forward Markieff Morris. There is speculation the league may allow expanded playoff rosters in the bubble -- perhaps carrying 17-20 players -- in order to have more reserves available should a rash of COVID-19 cases hit. With the extra time off to rehab, combined with potential expanded rosters, will Cousins make his return to L.A.? The former All-Star center would give the Lakers the stretch 5 they missed most of the season and, with crowd noise a nonfactor in Orlando's empty arenas, he could certainly have an impact as a vocal bench presence.
Did you know?James leads the league with a career-high 10.6 assists per game. At 35, he'd be the oldest player to lead the league in assists for the first time in his career.
-- Dave McMenamin
2019-20 record: 46-18 (.719)Vegas title odds: +1700
The defending champions will enter the restart firmly in second place in the East, three games ahead of Boston, and should still be in second when the playoffs start.
The NBA board of governors voted 29-1 to approve the league's format to restart the 2019-20 season in Orlando, Florida, sources told ESPN. Latest updates
Sources: 22 teams, 8 regular-season games Top seeds mull alternatives to home court Playoff projections: Surprises and upsets Next questions: Pay cuts and free agency
How they got hereWith Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green departing in free agency last summer, Toronto wasn't expected to remain in championship contention. And yet, despite having every member of the rotation besides OG Anunoby miss significant time with injuries, the Raptors have stayed near the top of the East and remain a threat to make another deep playoff run.
What's at stake?Toronto's interest in pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 is no secret. Another deep playoff run would add to the sales pitch. In the shorter term, the Raptors will have to decide what to do with several key free agents this summer -- led by guard Fred VanVleet and big men Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.
Big question after the layoff: Will the much-needed rest pay off?The Raptors play a shortened rotation to begin with, and the cavalcade of injuries the team dealt with throughout the season took a toll on them. With a chance to enter the restart fully healthy and rested, Toronto will believe it can get back to a potential rematch with the Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals.
Did you know? Without Leonard, the Raptors have a better win percentage (.719) and average scoring margin (+6.5) than they did during last season's run to the NBA title.
-- Tim Bontemps
2019-20 record: 44-20 (.688)Vegas title odds: +325
Ever since the NBA came to a halt in March, the Clippers have been eagerly awaiting and preparing for the season to return with one single goal in mind: the resumption of their title chase.
How they got hereThe Clippers' season has been defined by patience. They had to wait 11 games before Paul George made his Clippers debut. They had to wait until Christmas to have a fully healthy roster. With little practice time because of the schedule, injuries and Kawhi Leonard's load management of a knee issue, the Clippers' chemistry didn't solidify until after the All-Star break. And just as the team began to get on the same page with new additions like Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson, the Clippers were forced into a holding pattern due to the pandemic.
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Max Kellerman defends why he is picking Kawhi Leonard as the best player in the world over LeBron James.
What's at stake?The only focus the Clippers have had all season is on winning the franchise's first championship. Not long after the NBA suspended the season, Clippers management secured Peloton bikes and gym equipment to provide their players with home gyms. Lawrence Frank, Doc Rivers and the Clippers have held countless Zoom meetings and phone calls with coaches, players and staff members to not only keep everyone on the same page, but to also come up with any and every idea that could help the team win a title.
Big question after the layoff: Can the Clippers stay healthy with an unprecedented break in the season?When the season came to a halt, the Clippers were getting stronger, winning seven of eight games, with their only loss coming to the Lakers. Rivers made the health of his team entering the playoffs paramount, and nothing changes now. The hiatus should only help Leonard and George health-wise. But with players having not played in a game in months, the Clippers will ramp up Leonard, George and veterans like Lou Williams as safely as possible.
Did you know? The Clippers bench averages an NBA-best 51.5 points per game this season. The only other team to average at least 50 PPG off the bench since starts were first tracked in 1970-71? Last year's Clippers, who averaged 53.2 PPG.
-- Ohm Youngmisuk
2019-20 record: 43-21 (.672)Vegas title odds: +1500
The Celtics head into the restarted season in a bit of a bubble themselves in the East standings -- three losses behind the second-place Raptors and three losses ahead of the fourth-place Heat.
How they got hereAfter all of the tumult that followed Boston throughout last season, this season couldn't have been different. The Celtics had hardly a moment of difficulty at any point, cruising on a 55-win pace while seeing both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown take significant leaps. Daniel Theis more than capably stepped into the starting center spot vacated by Al Horford, and Kemba Walker provided the stable leadership the franchise needed, even as he dealt with a knee issue for the final few weeks before the shutdown.
0:43
Jalen Rose predicts the Celtics to come out of the Eastern Conference when the season resumes on a neutral court.
What's at stake?Oddly, not a lot. Boston is good enough to make a deep playoff run and could even reach the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade. But for a team with a young core under contract through next season and beyond, this should be far from Boston's final shot at making noise in the postseason.
Big question after the layoff: Is Kemba healthy?Walker first missed games because of a knee issue, and then struggled upon his return. If he's fully healthy, Boston will be a threat to beat anyone. There's one other question surrounding the Celtics: Where will the 76ers wind up? Boston would be thrilled if Philadelphia can slide ahead of the Pacers and get into fifth place in the East. While NBA fans would love a Celtics-Sixers showdown in the first round, Boston would not -- Philly won three of four meetings this season by an average of 10.3 points before a 116-95 Celtics win in the rivals' final meeting.
Did you know?Who says only Houston can play small ball? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 93.4% of Boston's points have come from players 6-foot-8 or shorter, the highest percentage by any team in a season since the 1989-90 Warriors (94.8%).
-- Bontemps
2019-20 record: 43-22 (.662)Vegas title odds: +2200
There was a new feel for the Nuggets this season, with that uncomfortable "E" word hovering over them: expectations. They've been viewed all season as a top-tier contender, and for the most part, played like it.
How they got hereThe start of 2020 was full of attrition for the Nuggets, but they weathered the storm to maintain their place among the West's elite. And they did it largely behind the brilliance of Nikola Jokic. He carried them through an injury-filled January to set up the stretch run for Denver as they pushed for the postseason. Jokic is what props the Nuggets up, but in the weeks before the shutdown, Jamal Murray was getting healthy and progressing. Their two-man chemistry, combined with some well-rounded, versatile depth, has the Nuggets in the conversation.
What's at stake?Last season was a resounding success for Denver despite a seven-game second-round defeat to the Blazers. This season, that kind of exit would be viewed as a disappointment. The playoffs ask questions you can't anticipate, and they take storylines and narratives and amplify them. If the Nuggets struggle, it'll be about the pairing of Jokic and Murray. It'll be about the future of Paul Millsap and Jerami Grant's contracts. It'll be about what they're missing, not about what they have. When you get good, it's what comes with the territory.
Big question after the layoff: What will Jokic look like?There's no polite way to say it, but with Jokic's self-admitted issues with fitness in past seasons, taking almost three months off could be a recipe for thickness. But according to Murray, it's the opposite. "Joker got a little four pack," Murray said of Jokic suddenly looking slimmer after working out heavily during the coronavirus shutdown.
Did you know? Jokic leads the Nuggets in total points, rebounds and assists, which he has done in each of the previous two seasons. According to Elias, Jokic could join LeBron James (2011-13 Heat) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965-67 76ers) as the only players in NBA history to lead their teams in all three categories for three straight seasons.
-- Royce Young
2019-20 record: 41-23 (.641)Vegas title odds: +6000
The Jazz will finish the season without second-leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist surgery) and with a spotlight on the dynamic between the cornerstone duo of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
How they got hereIt had been a strange season for the Jazz even before their two best players became the sport's poster boys for a pandemic after becoming the first NBA players to test positive for the coronavirus. Utah had a 19-2 stretch sandwiched by a lot of so-so basketball. Mike Conley Jr. had a harder time than anticipated adjusting to his new surroundings and system after spending the previous 12 seasons in Memphis. The Jazz had to remake the bench in midseason, trading for Jordan Clarkson, cutting Jeff Green and promoting Georges Niang and Tony Bradley to key rotation roles. Utah had won five of six games before Gobert's positive test halted the season, and coach Quin Snyder felt like he had found some rotation solutions. But it's back to the drawing board after Bogdanovic's surgery.
What's at stake?Any expectations have been diminished drastically by the loss of Bogdanovic, a 20-point-per-game scorer whose 41.4% 3-point shooting was a critical element of the Jazz's spacing. Could Gobert's playoff performance impact potential offseason extension discussions? He's eligible for the supermax, but it's hard to see the small-market Jazz offering that much to a center who isn't a primary scorer, no matter how dominant Gobert is defensively and on the glass.
Big question after the layoff: Can Gobert and Mitchell mend fences?Jazz sources are adamant that they can and will, even if they won't be singing kumbaya by the campfire, noting that they've had numerous, positive conversations with each other and in various virtual group settings over the last several weeks. But the question still lingers, particularly since Mitchell has declined to address his issues with Gobert publicly.
Did you know? Donovan Mitchell is averaging a career-best 24.2 points per game. That's the highest scoring average by a Jazz player since Karl Malone in 1999-2000. Malone, Adrian Dantley and Pete Maravich are the only players in Jazz history with a higher single-season scoring average than Mitchell.
-- Tim MacMahon
2019-20 record: 41-24 (.631)Vegas title odds: +4000
Miami is primed to make a push in the bubble behind a fully rested and healthy Jimmy Butler. If Bam Adebayo can continue his star trajectory and veteran Andre Iguodala can provide veteran guidance, coach Erik Spoelstra has to like his chances about his team being able to make a run.
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How they got hereThe biggest revelation for the Heat wasn't just how quickly they jelled behind Butler and Adebayo -- it was the immediate impact of the younger players on their roster. Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Derrick Jones Jr. all played important roles in the Heat's success and depth. It will be interesting to see how much of a playoff impact former Finals MVP Iguodala -- acquired from Memphis at the trade deadline -- has with his new team.
What's at stake?The challenge for the Heat is finding out just how far their current core can take them. Do they have enough with this group to push to the top of the East, or will they come up short and have to add another star-caliber piece when free agency opens?
Big question after the layoff: How will the neutral site impact Miami?The Heat went 27-5 at home but 14-19 on the road this season. For a team that had an inside track at home-court advantage in the first round before the season was suspended, how the Heat respond to neutral-site games is key.
Did you know? Adebayo is on pace to become the first player in Heat history to average 10 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
-- Nick Friedell
2019-20 record: 40-24 (.625)Vegas title odds: +6000
Before the league shut down, the Thunder and Jazz were set for a game that would've tilted the current four and five seeds in the Western Conference. On the surface, the Thunder don't seem like a possible top-four West contender, but strictly by the numbers, that's what they've become.
How they got hereIt was a rocky start for OKC, going 6-11 out of the gate with a variety of close losses and big questions. But it all turned right around Thanksgiving, with Chris Paul asserting himself as the league's most dominant crunchtime scorer and the Thunder's chemistry blossoming around a dynamic three-guard lineup. Since Thanksgiving, the Thunder are 34-13, piling up the second-most wins in the league in that span behind only the Bucks.
What's at stake?The Thunder have been riding a wave of positive momentum throughout the season. They have big offseason questions looming, like possibly trading Paul to kickstart an inevitable rebuild that could include moving pieces like Dennis Schroder or Steven Adams. But along with it, coach Billy Donovan's deal is up after this season. He has validated his coaching chops all season long, ascending into the Coach of the Year conversation, but where does he fit if the roster dominoes start to fall?
Big question after the layoff: Is the chemistry intact?The Thunder currently hold the longest winning streak in the Western Conference. So, it's only three games, but they walked onto the floor against the Jazz on March 11 with as much momentum as they'd had all season. Their last complete game was a stirring, emotional win in Boston on a last second steal that pushed them to 16 games over .500. What has made the Thunder so dangerous this season has been their connection and chemistry. Paul sets the tone but has given plenty of space for Schroder to elevate as a scorer and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to develop as a floor leader. Paul has gone to extended lengths to try to maintain some of that chemistry during the shutdown, but it's one thing to get together on a weekly Zoom call; it's another to make timely decisions in the last minute of a one-possession game.
Did you know?The Thunder have 16 wins when trailing entering the fourth quarter this season, twice as many as any other team in the NBA and two shy of tying the 1962-63 Lakers for the most such wins in a season in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).
-- Young
2019-20 record: 40-24 (.625)Vegas title odds: +1500
The Rockets, who appeared to be running on fumes before the season was suspended, should be refreshed and ready to resume the NBA's great micro-ball experiment.
How they got hereIt's been a roller coaster of a season for the Rockets, who underwent a significant roster remodeling over the past year. It started with the summer trade for Russell Westbrook. The midseason, all-in commitment to small ball (signified by trading Clint Capela and a first-round pick in a multi-team deal that brought Robert Covington to Houston) was influenced by the desire to unleash Westbrook in the open floor. The 6-foot-7-or-less Rockets started fast, but they faded, losing four of their last five games before the shutdown.
2:12
Kendrick Perkins sees the Rockets as heavy title favorites after seeing James Harden's dedication and apparent weight loss during the pandemic.
What's at stake?It's no secret that there is a strong probability that the Rockets will have a new head coach next season. That's been widely known since contract extension talks with Mike D'Antoni broke down (twice) in unusually public fashion. There are rumblings around the league that general manager Daryl Morey's job status could be in jeopardy as well, but owner Tilman Fertitta was adamant he wouldn't consider firing Morey (who has several years remaining on his contract) after the tweet that caused the Rockets and league's relationship with China to deteriorate, and Fertitta hasn't wavered on that stance. You can never be sure, especially if Morey is at the wheel, but the Rockets' core likely returns intact next season regardless of the results in Orlando.
Big question after the layoff: Can James Harden get his groove back?Harden had a historic two-month run, averaging 39.0 points per game on a sizzling 66% true shooting percentage from early November to early January. His heavy workload -- both in minutes and the effort it takes to generate shots as an iso player facing frequent double teams -- appeared to take a toll on him. Those numbers dipped significantly (29.0 points, 57.2% true shooting percentage) in his past 22 games as he struggled from 3-point range. Harden committed to conditioning during the hiatus, and if he regains MVP-level form and Westbrook continues his success in small-ball lineups, the Rockets will be dangerous.
Did you know? Since switching to the small-ball lineup on Jan. 31, the Rockets have been out rebounded by 9.4 rebounds per game, the worst rebounding differential in the NBA during that span. Over a full season, that would rank as the third-worst differential since rebounds were first officially tracked in 1950-51, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau.
-- MacMahon
2019-20 record: 39-26 (.600)Vegas title odds: +12500
The Pacers have flown under the radar all season long. But despite dealing with injuries and going through a massive roster overhaul in the offseason, Indiana still found itself in the mix for a top-four seed in the East when the season was brought to a halt.
How they got hereVictor Oladipo, the team's talisman, did not play his first game until Jan. 29. Malcolm Brogdon, the team's marquee free-agent signing, missed 17 games due to injuries. And yet Indiana still managed to find itself in fifth place in the East when the season was suspended behind a frontcourt of T.J. Warren, first-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.
What's at stake?Whether Indiana can become a real contender in the East, or just a nice middle-of-the-pack playoff team, will likely center around whether Oladipo can return to the form he displayed during the 2017-18 season, when he was an All-NBA selection. What his future looks like, as well as whether Indiana tries to continue forward with the tandem of Sabonis and Turner long term, could be impacted by what happens in Orlando. Oladipo can become a free agent in 2021.
Big question after the layoff: What version of Oladipo will arrive?His final game before the season was suspended was his best game of the season -- a 27-point outburst against the Celtics. If Oladipo can play at an All-Star level next to Brogdon, Indiana is going to be a much more difficult team to face in the East playoffs than some might think.
Did you know?Indiana has been eliminated in the first round in each of the past four postseasons. The Pacers are one of eight teams to make the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but they are the only one not to win a round.
-- Bontemps
2019-20 record: 39-26 (.600)Vegas title odds: +2500
Philadelphia was one of the NBA's most confusing teams this season. But after the long layoff, the 76ers will enter the bubble healthy and with a real chance to capitalize on their immense potential.
How they got hereThe Sixers entered the season expected to battle with the Bucks for the top spot in the East. Instead, Philadelphia swung wildly back and forth from game to game, posting the NBA's best home record (29-2) as well as the worst road record (10-24) of any playoff team in the league. They also dealt with ongoing turmoil about free-agent addition Al Horford's fit, Ben Simmons' continuing lack of a 3-point shot and Joel Embiid dealing with more injuries.
What's at stake?There may not be a team with more at stake than the Sixers. If this team flames out, will coach Brett Brown be dismissed? Will Horford be traded? Would the Sixers consider moving on from either Simmons and Embiid? So many things have changed the past few years in Philadelphia that it's hard to believe even more could be in store.
Continued here:
Everything to know about the NBA's 22-team restart at Walt Disney World - ESPN
