The 2020-21 NBA season is right around the corner. And the Indiana Pacers will play their first exhibition game in Cleveland on Saturday night with coverage at 7:00 PM on 107.5 The Fan.
The Blue and Gold will open the regular season on December at home on for a 7:00 PM tip against the New York Knicks. But just how many games will the Pacers and all other NBA teams play this year? We have already seen numerous college hoops games postponed due to COVID-19.
Michael Grady talked about that topic on The Ride with JMV Thursday. MG told JMV that he expects all 72 games to be played.
“It’s an interesting question but I think they’re going to get in all 72 because of the format they are following,” Grady said. “They’re putting out a first half of the schedule. And if a game gets postponed, the NBA is in a position where they have flexibility. They would announce the second half of the schedule in February and say OK now we have to make up however many games.”
New head coach Nate Bjorkgren has already talked about the team’s desire to play faster offensively and shoot more 3’s. On paper, this looks like it can be one of the more fun Pacers teams to watch.
Like any other sport, it will all come down to following protocols and being smart.
“It would have to be a wreck for them to not play a full 72,” Grady explained. “Even announcers have to get tested every gameday. They’re taking every single precaution. But even with the due diligence, some games will be postponed.”
We will have NBA basketball on Christmas. And in a time where things change so often, it’s something every sports fan can appreciate.
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