The NBA is in the preseason with the dawn of the new campaign just around the corner. The new NBA 2020-21 season tips off on Tuesday, December 22. Teams are preparing for the season which will look a little more like what we are used to from the Association.
With the previous NBA season being delayed and pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will see the NBA 2020-21 season start later than normal.
Due to the late start, there are still plenty of questions surrounding the upcoming campaign. Let’s look at the NBA 2020-21 season and what to expect from Association.
How many games will teams play?
The NBA season has been shortened slightly as teams will play 72 games. Teams will play 10 fewer regular-season games in the race to make the playoffs.
The schedule will be released in two parts. The first half of the calendar will be released around training camp/preseason — which it already has. The second part of the schedule will be released during the first portion of the campaign.
The plan for each team is to play three games against each intraconference opponent for 42 total basketball games. Teams will play two games against each interconference opponent for an additional 30 games.
The main dates for the season are as follows:
- Dec. 11-19: Preseason games
- Dec. 22 – March 4: First Half of regular season
- March 5-10: All-Star break
- March 11-May 16: Second Half of regular season
- May 18-21: Play-In Tournament
- May 22-July 22: 2021 NBA Playoffs
Play-in tournament returns
Traditional NBA fans may hate to see it, but the NBA 2020-21 season will feature a play-tournament to the playoffs.
The Play-In Tournament will include the teams with the 7th-highest through the 10th-highest winning percentages in each conference.
At the end of the NBA’s regular-season prior to the first round of the playoffs, teams finishing with the 7th-highest winning percentage in each conference will play the team possessing the 8th-highest winning percentage in a play-in game, known as the “Seven-Eight Game”.
The winner of the Seven-Eight Game in each conference will earn the No. 7 seed. This is the NBA’s attempt to add some excitement to the playoffs, which are known for having dull first rounds most seasons.
The play-in continues as the team with the 9th-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the 10th-highest winning percentage in the “Nine-Ten Game”. The loser of the Seven-Eight Game will host the winner of the Nine-Ten Game in a Play-In Game, and the winner of that game in each conference will earn the No. 8 seed.
Toronto Raptors to play in Florida
Due to travel restrictions involving COVID-19, the Toronto Raptors will play home games in Tampa, Florida to start the season. The team may move home to Toronto at some point during the season, but for now, will enjoy the warm south Florida weather.
Will fans be allowed to watch games in-person?
Rules on fans being in attendance appear to be up to each individual team. For example, the Orlando Magic will allow 4,000 fans into each of the team’s first five home games.
The NBA has released information on each team’s plans for fans attending games.
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