Wednesday Previews.

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Washington At Orlando

When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

<strike></strike>The Washington Wizards stalled out in the second round of the playoffs last spring but remain a challenger in the Eastern Conference with John Wall leading the way. The Orlando Magic, who host the Wizards in the season opener on Wednesday, are hoping a new coach can take them back to the postseason for the first time since 2012.


The Magic brought in former point guard and veteran coach Scott Skiles over the summer, and his first task is getting the young roster to put forth consistent effort on the defensive end. “Not to take anything away from any other coaches, but at this level with how talented the guys are, if you are going to be a really good defensive team it takes a major commitment from the players in time, effort and staying with your schemes,” Skiles tols the team’s official website. “Occasionally you will run across players who don’t want to do it (defensively), and then you have to hold them accountable.” The Wizards swept the fourth-seeded Toronto Raptors in the first round last spring but squandered a 2-1 lead in the semifinal series against Atlanta and enter the 2015-16 campaign hoping to take another step forward. Washington will have to take that step without playoff hero Paul Pierce, who joined the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington), FSN Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (2014-15: 46-36): Washington is entering a make-or-break season with 11 players scheduled to be free agents following the campaign and obvious questions looming about whether or not the franchise will pursue local superstar Kevin Durant next summer in free agency. “If we had some younger guys or guys didn’t understand the business of this league and how people get their money, then it might be a problem,” veteran guard Garrett Temple, who is one of the impending free agents, told the Washington Post. “But since we have a team full of veterans that understand what’s going on, everybody understands that when you win games, people get paid.” Bradley Beal, who averaged 23.4 points during the playoff run, is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and is expected to take another step forward.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (2014-15: 25-57): Skiles takes over a team brimming with young talent like Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, Shabazz Napier and Elfrid Payton - all 25-or-under. Payton, who sat out the last three weeks with a hamstring injury but is expected to play on Wednesday, leads the charge as he enters his second season. The Louisiana-Lafayette product averaged 11.1 points, 8.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals after the All-Star break last season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Wizards have taken eight straight in the series.

2. Washington F Nene (calf) sat out the final four preseason games and is questionable for Wednesday.

3. Gordon (foot) is questionable after being limited in the preseason and sitting out the final game.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Philadelphia At Boston[/h]When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

The Boston Celtics decided to make a run at the playoffs last spring instead of tanking for draft position and ended up bowing out in the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Philadelphia 76ers, who visit the Celtics in the season opener on Wednesday, took a different approach to the end of last season just as they had the previous campaign and are hoping the young talent they netted in the process begins to pay off soon.

Boston spent the preseason working through several different lineup combinations and appears to have enviable depth in the frontcourt after adding David Lee and Amir Johnson to a young group that includes Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk. “They’re all going to play a lot of minutes, they're all going to play a big role,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters. “Whether you start the game or not, it’s kind of inconsequential in a lot of ways.” The 76ers won a total of 37 games in the last two seasons and appear headed for another last-place finish with guards Tony Wroten (knee) and Kendall Marshall (knee), forwards Robert Covington (knee) and Carl Landry (wrist), and center Joel Embiid (foot) all expected to miss significant time. “I look at the (season) in thirds,” Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters. “I always have. … This third is about just doing simple things, but doing them really well.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, CSN New England (Boston)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (2014-15: 18-64): Philadelphia has brought in big men with each of its last three draft picks, grabbing Nerlens Noel in 2013, Embiid in 2014 and Jahlil Okafor in June. Noel made big strides last season after sitting out the 2013-14 campaign and is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Okafor. “He’s a big body, and he’s savvy,” Noel told reporters. “Playing with someone like that is a whole different ball game than playing with just someone my size. Someone who knows the game, and can feel the game out. Jah is definitely that. I think it brings us to a new level.”

ABOUT THE CELTICS (2014-15: 40-42): Boston boosted the frontcourt through trades and free agency while augmenting the backcourt through the draft and added rookies Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter to a guard rotation that already includes Isaiah Thomas, Evan Turner, Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. While the Celtics lack a superstar-level player at present that can carry the team, Bradley believes Smart will soon grow into that role. “Marcus is going to continue to get better and he’s going to be one of the best guards in the NBA,” Bradley told ESPNBoston.com.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Celtics took all four meetings last season by double figures.

2. Philadelphia G Nik Stauskas (leg) sat out the entire preseason but returned to practice this week and could play on Wednesday.

3. Olynyk will miss the contest while serving a one-game suspension he earned during the playoffs.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Chicago At Brooklyn[/h]When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

The Brooklyn Nets have eight new faces on the roster, but will depend on their familiar faces plenty when they open the season against the visiting Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Center Brook Lopez, last season’s leading scorer, along with forwards Joe Johnson and Thaddeus Young return to lead the Nets in their attempt to return to the playoffs for the fourth straight time.

Guard Jarrett Jack will get a bigger role for the Nets after backcourt mate Deron Williams was bought out in the offseason, but he is expected to miss the opener with a hamstring injury. Newcomers Donald Sloan and Shane Larkin step in for Jack against the Bulls, who held on to edge Cleveland 97-95 to start the new campaign Tuesday as Nikola Mirotic had a team-high 19 points. Coach Fred Hoiberg earned the victory in his debut and Derrick Rose scored 18 while wearing a mask to protect a fractured orbital bone. Hoiberg has installed a new offensive scheme that the Bulls hope will pull them out of the middle of the pack in scoring.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE BULLS (1-0): Hoiberg will like the balanced scoring his team produced in the opener as Jimmy Butler added 17 points while starter Tony Snell and reserve E’Twaun Moore each added 11. Pau Gasol must rebound from a rough season debut when he went 1-for-7 from the field for two points, but his sixth block of the game preserved the victory in the final seconds. Bulls forward Joakim Noah suffered a knee contusion Tuesday after grabbing nine rebounds and dishing four assists in 17 minutes and his status is uncertain for Wednesday.

ABOUT THE NETS (2014-15: 38-44): Lopez led the way with 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest a season ago and Young averaged 13.8 points in 28 games after being acquired from Minnesota. Andrea Bargnani has been slowed by a hamstring injury in the preseason, but should add support for Lopez in the middle and newcomer Thomas Robinson can also help in the paint. Free agent signing Wayne Ellington is a 38 percent 3-point shooter in his career and the Nets were 26th in the league from behind the arc last season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Chicago SG Mike Dunleavy is out at least another month while recovering from back surgery.

2. Johnson averaged 14.4 points in 2014-15 for the Nets – his lowest output since 2002-03.

3. The Bulls won three of the four meetings last season, including both contests at Brooklyn.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Utah At Detroit[/h]When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

<strike></strike>The Detroit Pistons began their season with an impressive road victory and the Utah Jazz look to start their campaign in a similar manner when they visit Detroit on Wednesday. The Pistons produced a solid 106-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and strongly outplayed a team that won an Eastern Conference-leading 60 games last season.

All five starters scored in double figures in Detroit's stunning effort with guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope draining four 3-pointers and leading the way with 21 points. "I thought all of our starters played pretty well," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said afterward. "Our bench struggled, but I like our bench. I think they are going to be good." Utah is beaming with optimism after a strong 19-10 finish to last season, and expectations are that the club will compete for a playoff spot. "I am excited about the season," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "I'm excited to see who we are. I think we're finding ourselves. We have some players who have been here before and played last year, and we have some players who are overcoming injuries. I think we're more solid than last year."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ROOT (Utah), FSN Detroit

ABOUT THE JAZZ (2014-15: 38-44): Point guard Trey Burke has been underwhelming over his first two seasons but has regained his starting job due to the season-ending knee injury Dante Exum suffered during the summer. Small forward Gordon Hayward is nearing All-Star status after averaging 19.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season while shot-blocking center Rudy Gobert and power forward Derrick Favors are primed to take another step forward. "I think we've realized we really haven't accomplished anything," Hayward told reporters. "Guys like you are really hyping us up and hyped us up all offseason, and we really didn't deserve any of that."

ABOUT THE PISTONS (1-0): Standout center Andre Drummond got his season off to a strong with 18 points and 19 rebounds as Detroit held a 59-40 edge on the boards. Forward Marcus Morris contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in his club debut while forward Ersan Ilyasova (16 points, seven rebounds) also was solid in his first game with the Pistons. First-round pick Stanley Johnson was one of the bench players who struggled and looked like a player experiencing nerves while scoring seven points on 3-of-10 shooting.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Jazz swept two games from the Pistons last season and have won 17 of the past 19 meetings.

2. Detroit F Anthony Tolliver missed the opener due to the birth of a daughter but is expected to be available against the Jazz.

3. Utah F Trevor Booker will be serving a one-game suspension for hitting Lakers C Roy Hibbert in a recent preseason game.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Charlotte At Miami[/h]When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida


<strike></strike>The Miami Heat fell all the way out of the playoffs in the first year of the post-LeBron James era but are ready to get right back into the race. The Heat will begin that process when they host the Charlotte Hornets in the 2015-16 opener on Wednesday.

Miami made plenty of moves last season in an effort to make up for the loss of James but injuries to Chris Bosh and Luol Deng ultimately contributed to the team plummeting to 10th place in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoffs last spring. The Heat have Bosh (blood clots) back heathy and managed to get Deng, Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic back under contract, giving them arguably the strongest starting five in the East outside of James-led Cleveland. The Hornets finished four games behind Miami in 11th place in the East and added some veteran pieces like small forward Nicolas Batum and power forwards Spencer Hawes and Tyler Hansbrough in an effort to add depth to the frontcourt. Charlotte needs some luck with health as well, specifically in regards to point guard Kemba Walker and center Al Jefferson, who combined to miss 37 games last season.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Charlotte), Sun Sports (Miami)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (2014-15: 33-49): Batum and fellow free agent Jeremy Lin seemed to fit in nicely in the preseason, which takes some of the sting out of losing swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Kentucky product, who averaged 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in 2014-15, was injured in the preseason and underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum that could cost him the entire season. “One of the things we were able to do over the offseason is improve our depth, so we have some guys who I feel are ready to emerge," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "I still feel really good about our team."

ABOUT THE HEAT (2014-15: 37-45): The disappointing 2014-15 season allowed Miami to drift high enough in the draft order to grab Duke product Justise Winslow in June, and the guard joins Gerald Green and Amar’e Stoudemire in a revamped reserve unit. “It’s a new group, new players, but they’ve connected pretty quickly and that’s on and off the court,” Heat coach Erik Spolestra told reporters. “They enjoy coming to work, they enjoy the process and going through it together. You can build on something like that.” Green has been the most impressive in preseason action and averaged 23 points on 31-of-53 shooting in the final four warmup games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Southeast Division rivals split four meetings last season, with each protecting home court.

2. Charlotte G Jeremy Lamb (ankle) sat out the final preseason game.

3. Wade went 9-of-33 from the field in the final three games of the preseason.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Indiana At Toronto[/h]When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario


<strike></strike>The Indiana Pacers were sitting atop the Eastern Conference not too long ago but enter the 2015-16 campaign with a new look and a quicker pace after missing out on the playoffs last season. The Pacers will show off their new style when they visit the Toronto Raptors for the season opener on Wednesday.

Forward Paul George’s broken leg in the summer of 2014 and a slew of other injuries set Indiana back last season, and waving goodbye to David West, Roy Hibbert and Luis Scola in the summer of 2015 changed the look of the team up front and forced George to move to the power forward spot. “We have a lot of great pieces, a lot of versatility,” George told reporters. “The sky's the limit for what we can do." The Raptors breezed through the regular season last year but were swept in the first round of the playoffs and are hoping adding Scola and DeMarre Carroll to the frontcourt will give the team a boost. “We want to get a solid rotation where guys know when they’re going to play, know when to expect they’re going to play in a constant rotation,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey told reporters. “I think that’s a key to guys being comfortable in their role.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, TSN (Toronto)

ABOUT THE PACERS (2014-15: 38-44): Indiana ascended to the top of the East based in large part on a stifling defense led by West, Hibbert, and George, and getting back to that with a smaller lineup is one of the challenges this season. "I want to see the offensive improvement, which I really believe we're going to see,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters. “My goal is to make sure that happens without defensive slippage. I believe we can get that accomplished.” Indiana added guard Monta Ellis, who averaged 18.9 points with Dallas last season, to boost the offense.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (2014-15: 49-33): Toronto made a concerted effort in the offseason to upgrade on the defensive end and Carroll, who was the defensive standout on a 60-win Atlanta team last season, is the biggest acquisition. “Coach Casey is definitely a defensive-minded coach and that’s the type of coach that I like,” Carroll told the Toronto Star. “I like defense, that’s my forte. We’ve been focusing on defense and not so much offense, but we’ve got so many scorers that the offense will take care of itself.” Carroll averaged a career-high 12.6 points and shot a career-best 39.5 percent from 3-point range last season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors have taken four straight in the series by an average of 13 points.

2. Indiana rookie F Myles Turner (ankle) is questionable for the opener.

3. Scola appears to have beaten out Toronto PF Patrick Patterson for a spot in the starting lineup.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Denver At Houston[/h]When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

<strike></strike>The Houston Rockets came within a few wins of their first NBA Finals appearance in 20 years last season, and they have their sights set on another title push. The Rockets begin another much-anticipated campaign at home on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets, who figure to be on the other end of the standings.

After getting knocked out in the Western Conference Finals against eventual champ Golden State, Houston added former Nuggets star Ty Lawson, who ranked third in the NBA in assists (9.6) in 2014-15. The Rockets will begin the year without standout big man Dwight Howard, who is suspended for the opener due to flagrant fouls in the postseason, but he has returned to practice after a lengthy layoff because of a back issue. Superstar James Harden looks ready to roll and build upon a phenomenal season in which he averaged 35.8 points, 7.8 assists and seven rebounds in four dominant performances against Denver. The Nuggets, under first-year head coach Michael Malone, are looking to rebound from a 30-win effort, their worst showing since 2002-03.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), ROOT (Houston)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (2014-15: 30-52): With Lawson out of the mix in Denver, all eyes are on 19-year-old Emmanuel Mudiay, a first-round pick in 2015 after spending an injury-plagued year in China. Mudiay has great potential but committed 24 turnovers in five preseason games and figures to be mistake-prone as he gains experience, beginning with an intriguing matchup against Lawson and defensive-minded Rockets reserve Patrick Beverley. "This game is for real and (Mudiay) had a couple great practice tests in Steph (Curry), Russell (Westbrook), and Chris Paul," Malone said of his point guard, who returned to practice Monday after wrestling a hamstring injury. "But now it's opening night, I'm sure the nerves will be there to start, but once he settles down I'm sure he'll be fine."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (2014-15: 56-26): While the squad waits for Howard's official return, it must also press on without fellow big man Donatas Motiejunas, who is recovering from back surgery. That puts some early pressure on second-year center Clint Capela and forward Terrence Jones in the opener. Capela hauled in a team-high 8.8 rebounds during preseason action and Jones returned from a concussion to score 10 points and grab eight boards in the preseason finale at San Antonio on Friday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Houston averaged 113.8 points in taking all four meetings last season.

2. Nuggets SG Randy Foye (hamstring) also returned to practice Saturday and is expected to play.

3. Denver SF Danilo Gallinari averaged 17.5 points on 59 percent shooting over the final two preseason games.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Cleveland At Memphis[/h]When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee

The Memphis Grizzlies did not make any major changes after producing 55 victories in 2014-15 and will be tested immediately in their opener when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The biggest offseason news for Memphis was resigning All-Star center Marc Gasol, who was a consistent force while posting a career-best 17.4 points per game.

Zach Randolph gives the Grizzlies a solid one-two punch inside while Mike Conley has developed into one of the league’s top point guards. The Cavaliers come in off a 97-95 loss at Chicago on Tuesday to open their campaign while shooting just 40.4 percent from the field and getting 25 points and 10 rebounds from LeBron James. Cleveland will be without talented point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) indefinitely, but fellow All Star Kevin Love (shoulder) is back and scored 18 points in the opener. James averaged 22.5 points as Cleveland won both meetings against the Grizzlies by double digits last season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (0-1): Guard Iman Shumpert joins Irving on the injured list, but power forward Anderson Varejao has returned after missing 56 games with a torn Achilles and played 12 minutes Tuesday. Guard Mo Williams, who poured in 19 points in the opener, and forward Richard Jefferson were added to the lineup in the offseason to provide more experience. Forward Tristan Thompson, who did not sign a contract until last week, scored two points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds against Chicago.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (2014-15: 55-27): Forward Jeff Green was acquired from Boston around the trade deadline last season and gives Memphis another scoring option along with guard Courtney Lee. Defensive standout Matt Barnes, veteran big man Brandan Wright and rookie forward/center Jarell Martin (foot injury) were added to the roster in the offseason. Versatile Tony Allen will also play a key role for the Grizzlies while Vince Carter starts his 18th season as another scoring option off the bench.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Conley needs 24 points to pass Shareef Abdur-Rahim (7,801) for third on Memphis’ all-time scoring list.

2. The Cavaliers won 13 games after trailing by double digits last season and were down eight with 1:15 left Tuesday before having a chance to tie in the final seconds.

3. The Grizzlies won six of their seven preseason games and held all of their opponents under 90 points.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: New York At Milwaukee[/h]When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin


<strike></strike>Carmelo Anthony will play his first regular season game in nearly nine months when he leads the New York Knicks into a season opener at Milwaukee on Wednesday. The superstar forward missed every game after the All-Star break last season - the Knicks' worst in franchise history - following left knee surgery, but showed he was ready to return to form with a fast start in the preseason, averaging 18.7 points on 66.7 percent shooting in his first three games back on the court.

As the 31-year-old Anthony - who has played more than 70 games just once in four full seasons with New York - looks for a more complete campaign, he is encouraged by the Knicks' increased depth. Their offseason additions included shooting guard Arron Afflalo, center Robin Lopez, forwards Kevin Seraphin and Derrick Williams, and 7-foot-3 Latvian rookie Kristaps Porzingis. "We have a deeper roster where before my problem in the past was in being able to take a game here, a game there, feeling I had to do it all myself," Anthony told the New York Post. Coming off a playoff appearance in Jason Kidd's first season at the helm, Milwaukee opens up without young stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (suspension) and Jabari Parker (knee), who is expected to return in November.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (2014-15: 17-65): A fast start will help the Knicks in their bid for a turnaround, but it will be a challenge with a slate that includes eight playoff teams in the first 10 games, including two contests against Cleveland and one apiece against Atlanta and San Antonio. In addition, they will be without Afflalo for much of that stretch as he recovers from a hamstring strain. Seraphin (knee) is unlikely to play Wednesday, which should give fellow big man Kyle O'Quinn more minutes backing up Lopez.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (2014-15: 41-41): Wednesday marks the formal Milwaukee debut for power forward Greg Monroe, who spurned the Knicks before signing a three-year max deal with the Bucks. The 25-year-old is actually one of the veterans in a promising young core that includes Parker, Antetokounmpo, shooting guard Khris Middleton and point guard Michael Carter-Williams. Middleton may be primed for a breakout campaign after averaging 16.8 points following the All-Star break.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Middleton had 22 points, seven rebounds and a career-high six steals in the final meeting last season, helping Milwaukee sweep the season series 4-0.

2. Williams averaged 18 points in 22.2 minutes over his final five preseason games.

3. Anthony is averaging 26.8 points in 31 career games against the Bucks.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: San Antonio At Oklahoma City[/h]When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


<strike></strike>The San Antonio Spurs added All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge to their cast of standouts while the Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping for an injury free season from superstar Kevin Durant. The two Western Conference clubs open their respective seasons on Wednesday with the visiting Spurs still bristling from last season's first-round playoff exit while the Thunder failed to qualify.

Durant was limited to 27 games last season due to foot problems, and the urgency to win in Oklahoma City has heightened with the star forward eligible to file for free agency after the season. The Thunder fired coach Scott Brooks after the disappointing campaign and former Florida coach Billy Donovan is tasked with getting the club back to its previous 50-victory level. San Antonio fancies a run at a sixth title in the Tim Duncan era, and the signing of Aldridge to a four-year, $80 million deal makes Duncan a member of the supporting cast while giving the Spurs a chance at reclaiming the crown they won two seasons ago. "You have to try not to fight it," the 39-year-old Duncan told reporters. "We all want to do what we've always done. But you have to understand what's best for the team. It's about accepting that, finding your niche and your new role."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, KENS (San Antonio), FSN Oklahoma (Oklahoma City)

ABOUT THE SPURS (2014-15: 55-27): Aldridge and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard are the stars of this roster, though point guard Tony Parker remains highly productive when avoiding injuries. San Antonio pumped up its bench by landing free agent forward David West - a starter the past 10 seasons who took a $10.5 million pay cut to join San Antonio - and its reserves include veteran shooting guard Manu Ginobili and spry point guard Patty Mills. “I see guys all the time make decisions based on the money, especially toward the end, just hanging on and trying to make up for mistakes they made earlier," West recently told reporters. "But we’re not in that situation.”

ABOUT THE THUNDER (2014-15: 45-37): Durant's apparent eagerness to become a free agent threatens to hang over the club during Donovan's first season on an NBA bench. Oklahoma City management is hoping a deep run in the playoffs - along with Durant's closeness to star point guard Russell Westbrook - will make him inclined to sign a rich extension to stay. Power forward Serge Ibaka is healthy after knee surgery and center Enes Kanter and shooting guard Dion Waiters are the other starters.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs went 2-1 against the Thunder last season and their victories were by an average of 32 points.

2. Oklahoma City F Mitch McGary (concussion) has cleared the NBA protocol and will be available for the opener.

3. San Antonio SG Danny Green set a franchise record with 191 3-pointers last season, one better than the mark set by Chuck Person in 1995-96.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Dallas At Phoenix[/h]When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona


<strike></strike>The Dallas Mavericks were rebuffed in their biggest offseason move but made a couple other additions that has them believing they can compete in the Western Conference. Dallas lost out on center DeAndre Jordan but has a new backcourt of Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams as they open the season on Wednesday against the host Phoenix Suns.

Matthews (Achilles' tendon) and Williams (calf) will be under a minutes restriction in the early weeks of the season and the Mavericks will be without small forward Chandler Parsons, who is still recovering from offseason knee surgery. Opening the season with a three-game road trip while dealing with injuries isn't an ideal situation but coach Rick Carlisle isn't panicking. "That's why you have to have a deep team in this day and age," Carlisle told reporters. "You're going to have to absorb some injuries, and you're going to have to deal with foul trouble, guys are going to get the flu once in a while, all kinds of things are going to happen during the course of an NBA season." Phoenix suffered a late collapse last season by losing 10 of its final 11 games to miss out on a playoff spot and added center Tyson Chandler in the offseason to improve the inside toughness.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (2014-15: 50-32): Veteran power forward Dirk Nowitzki needs a little more rest these days, and the 13-time All-Star has averaged under 18 points in two of the past three seasons but remains the leader of the squad. The 37-year-old Nowitzki ranks seventh on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 28,119 points and will surely pass sixth-place Shaquille O'Neal (28,596) during the campaign. Keeping Williams healthy and productive will be pivotal as the former All-Star has seen his scoring average drop from a career-high 21.0 in 2011-12 to 13.0 last season before signing with the Mavericks during the offseason.

ABOUT THE SUNS (2014-15: 39-43): Phoenix spent much of the summer unsure whether emerging star Markieff Morris would set aside his anger after the organization traded his twin brother Marcus to the Detroit Pistons. The power forward averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds last season and showed up to camp with the proper attitude, and the franchise envisions him taking another step forward this season. The Suns again feature an all point-guard backcourt with Eric Bledsoe (team-best averages of 17.0 points and 6.1 assists last season) teaming with Brandon Knight.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Suns won three of last season's four meetings.

2. Dallas coach Rick Carlisle is reportedly close to agreeing on a five-year contract extension.

3. Phoenix backup C Alex Len blocked five or more shots on six occasions last season.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: New Orleans At Portland[/h]When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon


<strike></strike>The Portland Trail Blazers lost franchise icon LaMarcus Aldridge to free agency in the offseason and have a whole new look as they open the season against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Point guard Damian Lillard is the only returning starter on a squad that is looking to win a record 15th consecutive home opener, which would break a tie with the Boston Celtics (1979-92).

Aldridge departed for San Antonio, and center Robin Lopez, small forward Nicolas Batum and shooting guard Wesley Matthews also left. Former New Orleans forward Al-Farouq Aminu might qualify as Portland's top offseason addition, and he is dealing with a hamstring injury. Pelicans standout Anthony Davis suffered through a dreadful 4-of-20 shooting performance while scoring 18 points in Tuesday's season-opening 111-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors but the Trail Blazers fear the power forward. "He is an incredibly gifted athlete," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "He’s skilled at both ends of the floor. He gets better every year with his shooting and passing and shot blocking. He has an impact on the game at both ends of the floor, and I don’t want to rank the big men of the league, but certainly he’s at the top of the list."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, KGW (Portland)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (0-1): The loss to the Warriors in Alvin Gentry's debut as coach was disheartening as New Orleans was outrebounded 56-33 and gave up 94 points in the first three quarters before Golden State cruised to the finish. Davis had only six rebounds and committed five turnovers in a rare off-night for a player now receiving superstar billing. The biggest bright spot in the opener was the play of recently signed journeyman point guard Ish Smith, who had 17 points and nine assists off the bench with both Tyreke Evans (knee) and Jrue Holiday (leg) sidelined.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (2014-15: 51-31): Lillard averaged 21 points per game last season and might hoist enough shots to win himself a scoring title with Aldridge out of picture. Shooting guard C.J. McCollum is receiving the chance to be a difference-maker as the backcourt will have to make up for the offensive shortcomings of the frontcourt. "We have to go out there and just play," Lillard told reporters. "We have to let it be what it is, no second thoughts, no hesitation. And that goes for everybody. Obviously with me and (McCollum) being the primary scorers out there, that’s the way we have to play."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Trail Blazers swept last season's three meetings and have won 11 of the past 14 in the series.

2. Holiday hasn't been cleared to play in back-to-back games and will start against the Trail Blazers.

3. Portland SG Gerald Henderson (hip) had surgery in July and hasn't yet been cleared to play.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: L.A. Clippers At Sacramento[/h]When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California


<strike></strike>The Los Angeles Clippers experienced a crushing collapse in the second round of last season's playoffs and their push to redeem themselves begins with Wednesday's visit to the Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles appeared on its way to reaching the Western Conference finals last May before blowing a 19-point lead in Game 6 and eventually losing the series to the Houston Rockets.

The Clippers again will rely on the trio of point guard Chris Paul, power forward Blake Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan as they possess one of the stronger rosters in the Western Conference. "It's a great core. It's a young core, too, other than Chris," coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "Chris is not old, but he's not young anymore, so what you want to keep doing, I always say if you can keep your core and keep putting around them the right pieces, it's really important." Sacramento has strong offensive weapons in center DeMarcus Cousins and small forward Rudy Gay but allowed 105 points per game last season, tied for third worst in the NBA. “I don’t think offense will be a problem,” point guard Rajon Rondo told reporters. “Obviously, you win championships with defensive stops. Our communication has to continue to get better. It’s not going to happen overnight, it will continue to progress throughout the season."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), CSN California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (2014-15: 56-26): Los Angeles added veteran forward Paul Pierce in the offseason and the 38-year-old, who ranks 16th in NBA history in points scored (25,899) and fourth in 3-pointers (2,053), is fine with coming off the bench to preserve his body for a presumed playoff push. “As years pass along, you have to reinvent yourself," Pierce told reporters. "I don’t have the speed or athleticism I used to have, so you have to find ways to continue to be effective.” Offseason acquisition Lance Stephenson is the possible starting small forward against the Kings and also in the mix at forward is veteran addition Josh Smith.

ABOUT THE KINGS (2014-15: 29-53): The offseason was volatile as discontent between Cousins and coach George Karl boiled over and the two finally got together in Las Vegas to hash out their differences. "We talked our differences out like men," Cousins told reporters. "And at the end of the day, it’s about winning games. That’s one thing me and him can agree on - we want to win and that’s our goal and that’s all that really matters, winning." That winning thing has been tough for the Kings as they have missed the playoffs for nine straight seasons and have won fewer than 30 games in each of the past seven.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers have prevailed in five straight visits to Sacramento.

2. The Kings added SG Marco Belinelli (86 3-pointers in 2014-15) in the offseason to strengthen their long-range shooting.

3. Los Angeles SG Jamal Crawford (triceps) is expected to play in the opener.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Minnesota At L.A. Lakers[/h]When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Kobe Bryant is expected to play in the season opener despite leg soreness as the Los Angeles Lakers begin the campaign on Wednesday with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 37-year-old Bryant practiced on Tuesday and is ready to start a campaign that could end up being his final NBA season.

The Lakers and Timberwolves were the two worst teams in the Western Conference and both landed promising young prospects in the draft - Minnesota taking center Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 overall pick and Los Angeles selecting guard D'Angelo Russell with the second pick. The Timberwolves will be playing with heavy hearts due to the death of coach Flip Saunders, who died Sunday at age of 60 due to cancer complications. "You can see we’re hurting," Towns told reporters. "We lost our point guard. We lost the person who runs this whole machine. I know when we found out, it was a hard moment for all of us, a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget." Sam Mitchell is serving as interim coach as Minnesota attempts to make positive strides after winning fewer than 30 games in six of the past eight seasons.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN North (Minnesota), TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (2014-15: 16-66): Minnesota is developing a young group revolving around Towns, reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and superb point guard Ricky Rubio in hopes of ending a playoff drought that extends back to the 2003-04 campaign. The veteran trio of forwards Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince and shooting guard Kevin Martin make for a nice blend as Saunders was building the Timberwolves with both the short term and long term in mind. Wiggins will see a lot of playing time at shooting guard this season after being primarily a small forward last season, when he averaged 16.9 points while starting all 82 games.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (2014-15: 21-61): Bryant's minutes will be watched closely after he was limited to just 41 games over the past two seasons due to various injuries. Los Angeles is high on second-year forward Julius Randle, who broke his right leg in last year's season opener, and added center Roy Hibbert and Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams in the offseason. Second-year guard Jordan Clarkson was a surprise hit as a rookie but is questionable for the opener after recently injuring his right shoulder.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers went 3-1 against the Timberwolves last season and have won 14 of their past 16 home games in the series.

2. Minnesota C Nikola Pekovic (Achilles' tendon) remains sidelined from the injury suffered in April.

3. Los Angeles SF Metta World Peace made the 15-man roster when the club made G Jabari Brown the final cut.

 

[Greenbacks]

Bump.....Good luck!