Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Sixers sign Ryan Broekhoff

Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Elton Brand announced on Saturday, June 27 that the team has signed shooting guard Ryan Broekhoff.

Earlier this season, Broekhoff appeared in 17 games for Dallas, posting 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game. In two NBA seasons, both with the Mavericks, he’s seen action in 59 total games, connecting on over 40-percent of his three-point attempts. He’s made a career-high four three-pointers on two occasions, while connecting on three-or-more triples seven times.

Per NBC Sports Philly, “throughout this season, the Sixers have been searching for outside shooting. The team is 19th in made three-pointers and 14th in three-point percentage. February addition Glenn Robinson III missed his first 10 three-point shots after moving from the Warriors to the Sixers and has yet to provide the expected boost in that department. ”

Before signing with Dallas in August 2018, Broekhoff played internationally in Russia (Lokomotiv Kuban, 2015-18) and Turkey (Beşiktaş, 2013-15) between 2013-18. In his final season in Russia, he was named All-EuroCup First Team after averaging 12.3 points per game, while shooting .549 from the field and .506 from beyond the arc over 16 contests. A native Australian, Broekhoff has represented his country in several international competitions since 2009, including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, at which the Boomers finished fourth.

Prior to his professional career overseas, Broekhoff enjoyed a four-year collegiate career at Valparaiso, where he earned Horizon League Player of the Year honors as a junior, before leading the Crusaders to a 26-8 mark, and an NCAA Tournament berth, as a senior. Over his four seasons at Valpo, Broekhoff notched 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while shooting .408 from three-point range. The team won at least 22 games in each of his final three seasons as a Crusader.

Broekhoff will wear No. 45 for the 76ers.

Clippers sign Joakim Noah, who had been on a 10-day contract

The L.A. Clippers have signed free agent Joakim Noah to a new contract, it was announced today by Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank.

Noah, who signed a 10-Day contract with the Clippers on March 9, is a two-time NBA All-Star (2013, 2014) and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2014). He’s way past his prime now, but a smart, versatile player and still an excellent addition for depth purposes.

Per the Orange County Register, “the 35-year-old gives the Clippers another option at center, arguably the team’s weakest position, behind Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell. Like the other 21 teams in the restart, the Clippers will play eight regular season games before the playoffs begin in mid-August.”

Noah appeared in 42 games last season for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 7.1 points, 2.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds. The 6’11”, 230-pound center holds career averages of 8.8 points, 2.8 assists and 9.1 rebounds in 667 appearances across 12 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Grizzlies.

Before being selected by Chicago with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Noah played three collegiate seasons at the University of Florida, leading the Gators to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007.

As NBA restart approaches, Thunder sign guard Devon Hall as Substitute Player

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Devon Hall as a Substitute Player for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

Hall (6-5, 215) joins the Thunder roster for a second time this season after originally signing a Two-Way Contract with Oklahoma City this past September. Earlier this year, Hall scored five points and logged three assists in 20 minutes of action during his five appearances with the Thunder.

Per the Oklahoman, “Hall is essentially the substitute player for Luguentz Dort, who was formerly on a two-way contract before signing a standard NBA contract Wednesday. Two-way substitute players, like Hall, will become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.”

The Virginia Beach native appeared in 30 games (all starts) with the Oklahoma City Blue during the 2019-20 NBA G League season where he averaged 15.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 31.3 minutes per game.

Hall was originally selected by Oklahoma City with the 53rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after playing four seasons at the University of Virginia.

Mavericks NBA season restart schedule announced

The Dallas Mavericks recently announced their eight-game schedule for the restart of the 2019-20 season, which will tip-off against the Houston Rockets on Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN at The Arena at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The 22 teams traveling to Orlando will play eight “seeding games,” as selected from their remaining regular-season contests. Following their matchup with the Rockets, the Mavericks will face Phoenix (Aug. 2), Sacramento (Aug. 4), the L.A. Clippers (Aug. 6), Milwaukee (Aug. 8), Utah (Aug. 10), Portland (Aug. 11) and Phoenix again (Aug. 13).

Fox Sports Southwest will carry all eight of the Mavericks’ seeding games with Mark Followill, Derek Harper and Jeff “Skin” Wade calling the action remotely from their studio in Las Colinas, Texas. In addition to the matchup with Houston, ESPN will also televise the Mavericks’ game against Milwaukee. TNT will air the club’s showdown with the Clippers and NBA TV will show the team’s game against Utah. The league and its broadcast and technology partners are collaborating to enhance game telecasts and bring fans an immersive, interactive viewing experience.

ESPN 103.3 FM will air all eight games with Chuck Cooperstein and Brad Davis broadcasting from the Mavericks locker room at American Airlines Center. Victor Villalba will provide the play-by-play in Spanish on 1207 AM from the Univision Deportes studio.

Dallas went into the NBA hiatus with a record of 40-27 (.597) and currently sits in seventh place in the Western Conference entering the restart.

The restart will include strict health and safety protocols and the goal of taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice. Games will resume with 22 teams playing at The Arena, HP Field House and VISA Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with no fans in attendance.

Following the seeding games, the seven teams in each conference with the highest combined winning percentages across regular-season matchups and seeding contests will be the first through seventh seeds for the playoffs. If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage (regular season and seeding games) in a conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference, then the team with the eighth-best winning percentage would be the eighth playoff seed in that conference.

If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage in a conference (Team 8) is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference (Team 9), then those two teams would compete in a play-in tournament to determine the eighth playoff seed in the conference. The play-in tournament will be double elimination for Team 8 and single elimination for Team 9.

The NBA’s standard playoff tiebreaker procedures will be used to break any ties on the basis of winning percentage. Once the 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The 2020 NBA Finals will end no later than Oct. 13.

2019-20 DALLAS MAVERICKS RESTART SCHEDULE

Friday, July 31 vs. Houston
Sunday, Aug. 2 @ Phoenix
Tuesday, Aug. 4 @ Sacramento
Thursday, Aug. 6 vs. L.A. Clippers
Saturday, Aug. 8 vs. Milwaukee
Monday, Aug. 10 @ Utah
Tuesday, Aug. 11 vs. Portland
Thursday, Aug. 13 @ Phoenix

Orlando Magic will play first of eight ‘seeding games’ on July 31 vs Nets

The National Basketball Association has released its schedule for the restart of the 2019-20 regular season and announced the Orlando Magic will play the first of their eight “seeding games” on Friday, July 31 against the Brooklyn Nets at the Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Game time is 2:30 p.m.

Yesterday, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that they have finalized a comprehensive plan for a July 30 restart to the 2019-20 season, which includes stringent health and safety protocols, a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the goal of taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.

“We appreciate the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, our longtime partner, Disney, and our local leaders in this unprecedented time,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We look forward to providing assistance as needed in restarting the NBA season in Orlando, while using our collective platform to drive meaningful social impact.”

The NBA and Disney have reached an agreement that makes the Arena, the Field House and Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the venues for all games for the remainder of the season, which will resume with 22 teams returning to play and with no fans in attendance.

Under the competitive format for the restart, the 22 participating teams will be the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams that are currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference.

The restart will begin with each participating team playing eight “seeding games,” as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups. The NBA and its broadcast and technology partners are collaborating to enhance game telecasts and bring fans an immersive, interactive viewing experience. Local television schedule for Orlando Magic games on FOX Sports Florida is to be determined. Comprehensive Orlando Magic coverage can be found on OrlandoMagic.com, as well as all of their social media platforms.

At the conclusion of the seeding games, the seven teams in each conference with the highest combined winning percentages across regular season games and seeding games will be the first through seventh seeds for the NBA Playoffs for that conference. If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage (regular season games and seeding games) in a conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference, then the team with the eighth-best winning percentage would be the eighth playoff seed in that conference.

If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage in a conference (Team 8) is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference (Team 9), then those two teams would compete in a play-in tournament to determine the eighth playoff seed in the conference. The play-in tournament will be double elimination for Team 8 and single elimination for Team 9.

The NBA’s standard playoff tiebreaker procedures will be used to break any ties on the basis of winning percentage. Once the 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The 2020 NBA Finals will end no later than October 13.

2019-20 ORLANDO MAGIC SEEDING GAME SCHEDULE (“home” games in caps)

July 31 @ Brooklyn
August 2 vs SACRAMENTO
August 4 @ Indiana
August 5 vs TORONTO
August 7 @ Philadelphia
August 9 @ Boston
August 11 vs BROOKLYN
August 13 vs NEW ORLEANS

Celtics seeding games schedule starts July 31 vs Bucks

The Boston Celtics will open its slate of eight “seeding games” against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, July 31, after the NBA and the NBPA announced today a finalized comprehensive plan for a restart to the 2019-20 NBA season inside a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

As part of the agreement, remaining games for all 22 teams involved in the season’s resumption will be held at a trio of Walt Disney World Resort facilities – The Arena, the HP Field House and Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – with no fans in attendance.

The restart will begin with each participating team playing eight “seeding games”, as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups. All eight of Boston’s games, which range from July 31 through August 13, will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Boston. Six of those eight contests are currently scheduled to air on National Television (ABC, ESPN, TNT).

At 43-21, the Celtics boast the fifth-best record throughout the NBA in 2019-20.

UPDATED CELTICS “SEEDING GAMES” SCHEDULE FOR DISNEY:

July 31: Milwaukee (A)
August 2: Portland (H)
August 4: Miami (A)
August 5: Brooklyn (H)
August 7: Toronto (A)
August 9: Orlando (H)
August 11: Memphis (A)
August 13: Washington (H)

Raptors will restart the 2019-20 NBA season August 1 vs Lakers

The Toronto Raptors will restart the 2019-20 season Saturday, August 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced Friday. Under the competitive format for the restart, the 22 participating teams will have eight “seeding games,” as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups.

The National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association announced yesterday that they have finalized a comprehensive plan for a July 30 restart to the 2019-20 season, which includes stringent health and safety protocols, a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the goal of taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.

In addition, the NBA and Disney have reached an agreement that makes the Arena, the HP Field House and Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the venues for all games for the remainder of the season, with no fans in attendance.

The NBA and the NBPA confirmed today an agreement on health and safety protocols that will govern the resumption of the season. The rigorous program, which addresses risks related to COVID-19 and focuses on the well-being of players, coaches, officials and staff, was developed in consultation with public health experts, infectious disease specialists and government officials.

RAPTORS RESTART SCHEDULE

Saturday, Aug. 1 vs. LA Lakers
Monday, Aug. 3 at Miami
Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Orlando
Friday, Aug. 7 vs. Boston
Sunday, Aug. 9 vs. Memphis
Monday, Aug. 10 at Milwaukee
Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Philadelphia
Friday, Aug. 14 vs. Denver

Brooklyn Nets eight-game schedule for restart of 2019-20 NBA season announced

The Brooklyn Nets have announced their eight-game schedule for the restart of the 2019-20 NBA season. The schedule will tip off versus the Orlando Magic on Friday, July 31, at 2:30 p.m. at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

The matchup is the first of eight “seeding games” the Nets will play to determine the participants and seeds for the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Brooklyn currently stands in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 30-34 record. The Nets last suited up in a 104-102 victory in Los Angeles against the Lakers on March 10.

All games will be broadcast regionally on the YES Network and can be heard on WFAN.

UPDATED NETS SCHEDULE FOR SEEDING GAMES AT DISNEY IN ORLANDO:

Fri., July 31 vs. Orlando
Sun., Aug. 2 vs. Washington
Tues., Aug. 4 at Milwaukee
Wed., Aug. 5 at Boston
Fri., Aug. 7 vs. Sacramento
Sun., Aug. 9 at L.A. Clippers
Tues., Aug. 11 at Orlando
Thurs., Aug. 13 vs. Portland

Updated Rockets schedule resumes July 31 vs. Mavericks

The NBA has announced the schedule for the 22 teams participating in the restart of the 2019-20 season. All games will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The 22 teams will be the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams that are currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference. Each teams will play eight “seeding games” as selected from their remaining regular season schedule.

The Rockets have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, marking their franchise-best eighth straight postseason appearance. With a current record of 40-24, Houston has also secured its 14th straight season going .500 or better and is the only team to have done so over that span.

At the conclusion of the seeding games, the seven teams in each conference with the highest combined winning percentages across regular-season games and seeding games will be the first through seventh seeds for the playoffs for that conference.

If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage (regular-season games and seeding games) in a conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference, then the team with the eighth-best winning percentage would be the eighth playoff seed in that conference.

If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage in a conference (Team 8) is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference (Team 9), then those two teams would compete in a play-in tournament to determine the eighth playoff seed in the conference. The play-in tournament will be double elimination for Team 8 and single elimination for Team 9.

The NBA’s standard playoff tiebreaker procedures will be used to break any ties on the basis of winning percentage. Once the 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round.

Below is the Rockets schedule for the eight seeding games in Orlando:

Friday, July 31; 8 p.m. CT vs Dallas
Sunday, August 2; 7:30 CT vs Milwaukee
Tuesday, August 4; 8 p.m. CT vs Portland
Thursday, August 6; 8 p.m. CT vs LA Lakers
Sunday, August 9; 7 p.m. CT vs Sacramento
Tuesday, August 11; 1 p.m. CT vs San Antonio
Wednesday, August 12; 3 p.m. CT vs Indiana
Friday, August 14; TBD vs Philadelphia

All games will also be available on the radio broadcast home of the Rockets, SportsTalk 790 KBME and NewsRadio 740 KTRH in addition to Spanish coverage on La Ranchera KEYH 850 AM/KNTE 101.7 FM.

Miami Heat 2019-20 NBA season restart seeding schedule announced

The Miami HEAT announced its 2019-20 season restart seeding schedule today. Miami will resume games starting with their Saturday, August 1 contest against the Denver Nuggets at 1PM on ESPN at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as their eight-game schedule runs through August 14 at the single-site campus. At the conclusion of those eight contests, the combination of teams’ regular season and seeding games winning percentages will determine the playoff order, with possible play-in games for the final spot, with the top eight teams in each conference earning a postseason berth. The HEAT previously clinched a playoff spot earlier this season.

FOX Sports Sun, the exclusive regional television partner of the HEAT, will air Miami’s seeding games available for local broadcast, with complete broadcasting information for both local television and radio coverage released at a later date.

HEAT Seeding Schedule:

Game Date Opponent Time (ET) Site National TV/FOX Sports Sun

1 8/1 Denver 1:00 PM HP Field House ESPN / TBD

2 8/3 Toronto 1:30 PM HP Field House NBA TV / TBD

3 8/4 Boston 6:30 PM HP Field House TNT / TBD

4 8/6 Milwaukee 4:00 PM Arena TNT / TBD

5 8/8 Phoenix 7:30 PM Visa Athletic Center TBD / TBD

6 8/10 Indiana 8:00 PM Visa Athletic Center TBD / TBD

7 8/12 Oklahoma City8:00 PM Visa Athletic Center TBD / TBD

8 8/14 Indiana TBD TBD TBD / TBD