Wells Fargo Center Plays Host to Bulls and Sixers
The Chicago Bulls (0-0) enter their new campaign with more questions than answers after finishing in last place in the Central Division in 2018, and will be hard pressed to exceed the 27 wins they earned after failing to make a splash with off-season acquisitions. One order of business the franchise did take care of was locking up Zach LaVine to a four-year contract following his arrival from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the middle of last season. Through 24 starts with the Bulls, LaVine averaged 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and three assists. Chicago will be turning to Lauri Markkanen to build on an impressive rookie effort, one that saw him lead the team both in scoring and off the glass, with a nightly average of 15.2 points and 7.5 boards. New to the lineup will be Jabari Parker, ex of the Milwaukee Bucks, who will play in rotation with Bobby Portis behind Markkanen. Entering his fifth season, Parker brings with him career averages of 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Head Coach Fred Hoiberg may find himself on the hot seat sooner rather than later if it's not apparent that that tide is turning for the Bulls, a team that hasn't won a Playoff series since 2015.
Tuesday night's season opener saw the Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) fall to the Boston Celtics at TD Center, as a favorite to make a deep push in the Eastern Conference this year was simply outgunned by a surging Boston unit. In what some observers believe could be a potential Eastern Finals preview, the Sixers were abysmal from deep, shooting a combined 5-of-26 from long range. Still, there were signs that things are moving in a positive direction for the club, as Ben Simmons shone, coming just shy of a triple-double behind 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, going 7-of-14 from the paint in the process. Joel Embiid displayed flashes of brilliance on a handful of highlight plays en route to a team-leading 23 points and 10 boards for a double-double. Sophomore Markelle Fultz, making his debut in the starting five after an injury-maligned 2017-18, had a pedestrian showing with only five points in 24 minutes played, while JJ Reddick came off the bench to post 16 points and a pair of triples. Philadelphia won last year's season series against Chicago, 2-1.
Tuesday night's season opener saw the Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) fall to the Boston Celtics at TD Center, as a favorite to make a deep push in the Eastern Conference this year was simply outgunned by a surging Boston unit. In what some observers believe could be a potential Eastern Finals preview, the Sixers were abysmal from deep, shooting a combined 5-of-26 from long range. Still, there were signs that things are moving in a positive direction for the club, as Ben Simmons shone, coming just shy of a triple-double behind 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, going 7-of-14 from the paint in the process. Joel Embiid displayed flashes of brilliance on a handful of highlight plays en route to a team-leading 23 points and 10 boards for a double-double. Sophomore Markelle Fultz, making his debut in the starting five after an injury-maligned 2017-18, had a pedestrian showing with only five points in 24 minutes played, while JJ Reddick came off the bench to post 16 points and a pair of triples. Philadelphia won last year's season series against Chicago, 2-1.
Wizards Play Host to Heat in Home Opener
The Washington Wizards play host to the Miami Heat at Capital One Arena on Thursday.
The Heat (0-1) are the first team to have the unfortunate task of playing a back-to-back set, as they have to travel to Washington after their opening loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. That was a tough defeat to swallow too, as Orlando handed Miami a 104-101 defeat that wasn't decided until the final shot. The good news coming out of that loss is the fact that everyone looked healthy, with Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside all posting formidable stat lines. Miami did struggle shooting the ball though, as they hit just 39 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range. That simply won't get it done against a Wizard's team playing their first game, as this is an unfortunate scheduling circumstance for the Heat.
The Wizards are fortunate to play a team coming off a back-to-back set in their opener, as they'll look to take advantage of a tired bunch. That's the perfect recipe for a John Wall team too, as he's happy to get up-and-down the court at a blistering pace. This is a critical season for Washington too, as there's some talk that things could blow up if it doesn't go well. That's why Dwight Howard was brought over in the offseason, as that's one of the most dangerous centers Washington has seen in quite some time. If he can find his old form, that's the perfect fit with a talented backcourt of Wall and Bradley Beal. What's also been killing this team in the past is their lack of bench production, as they hope that the additions of Austin Rivers and Jeff Green will give them that bench spark that they need at times.
While these teams split their four-game season series last year, Miami has won six of their last eight games over Washington in total.
The Heat (0-1) are the first team to have the unfortunate task of playing a back-to-back set, as they have to travel to Washington after their opening loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. That was a tough defeat to swallow too, as Orlando handed Miami a 104-101 defeat that wasn't decided until the final shot. The good news coming out of that loss is the fact that everyone looked healthy, with Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside all posting formidable stat lines. Miami did struggle shooting the ball though, as they hit just 39 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range. That simply won't get it done against a Wizard's team playing their first game, as this is an unfortunate scheduling circumstance for the Heat.
The Wizards are fortunate to play a team coming off a back-to-back set in their opener, as they'll look to take advantage of a tired bunch. That's the perfect recipe for a John Wall team too, as he's happy to get up-and-down the court at a blistering pace. This is a critical season for Washington too, as there's some talk that things could blow up if it doesn't go well. That's why Dwight Howard was brought over in the offseason, as that's one of the most dangerous centers Washington has seen in quite some time. If he can find his old form, that's the perfect fit with a talented backcourt of Wall and Bradley Beal. What's also been killing this team in the past is their lack of bench production, as they hope that the additions of Austin Rivers and Jeff Green will give them that bench spark that they need at times.
While these teams split their four-game season series last year, Miami has won six of their last eight games over Washington in total.
Lakers Kick Off Highly Anticipated New Era Versus Trail Blazers
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Thursday evening in the regular-season opener for both teams.
The Lakers began making their way back to the NBA spotlight last season with the drafting of Lonzo Ball, and due to the improvement of other key young pieces such as Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Julius Randle. While they opted to let Randle walk in the offseason, it was for a very compelling reason -- the arrival of LeBron James to man the power forward position and bring some championship pedigree to the once-proud franchise. James will spearhead a new-look starting five that includes fellow offseason addition JaVale McGee. Mercurial but talented veterans Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson were also added via free agency to provide quality depth.
The Lakers are listing Moritz Wagner (knee) as out for Thursday's contest, while Alex Caruso (hip) will be a game-time decision.
The Trail Blazers saw another solid regular season go for naught in the 2017-18 campaign, as a 49-33 record that netted the Western Conference's third seed culminated in a surprising four-game sweep at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the disappointing outcome, Portland returns the same starting five to open the new season, with the offense once again expected to run through the potent trio of Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. The Blazers will hope for significant improvement from 2017 first-round picks Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan to help shore up their frontcourt depth, while the offseason addition of Seth Curry could prove to be a boon for the second unit's upside.
The Trail Blazers will list Maurice Harkless (knee) as probable for Wednesday's game, while Gary Trent (quadriceps) is listed as questionable.
The Trail Blazers swept the three-game season series from the Lakers last season.
The Lakers began making their way back to the NBA spotlight last season with the drafting of Lonzo Ball, and due to the improvement of other key young pieces such as Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Julius Randle. While they opted to let Randle walk in the offseason, it was for a very compelling reason -- the arrival of LeBron James to man the power forward position and bring some championship pedigree to the once-proud franchise. James will spearhead a new-look starting five that includes fellow offseason addition JaVale McGee. Mercurial but talented veterans Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson were also added via free agency to provide quality depth.
The Lakers are listing Moritz Wagner (knee) as out for Thursday's contest, while Alex Caruso (hip) will be a game-time decision.
The Trail Blazers saw another solid regular season go for naught in the 2017-18 campaign, as a 49-33 record that netted the Western Conference's third seed culminated in a surprising four-game sweep at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the disappointing outcome, Portland returns the same starting five to open the new season, with the offense once again expected to run through the potent trio of Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. The Blazers will hope for significant improvement from 2017 first-round picks Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan to help shore up their frontcourt depth, while the offseason addition of Seth Curry could prove to be a boon for the second unit's upside.
The Trail Blazers will list Maurice Harkless (knee) as probable for Wednesday's game, while Gary Trent (quadriceps) is listed as questionable.
The Trail Blazers swept the three-game season series from the Lakers last season.