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Miami Heat forward Moe Harkless attempts to steal the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Healthy Zion Williamson, new coach, give Pelicans fresh hope

By BRETT MARTEL - Associated Press

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson, right, and guard Dillion Brooks in the first quarter during an NBA preseason basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King)

Towns finds increased support from T-wolves on and off court

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, right, celebrates with teammate Kawhi Leonard (2) after scoring against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. Leonard and George are healthy at the same time to start the 2020-21 season, and that’s given the Clippers a renewed sense of optimism. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)

Clippers seek better finish under new coach Tyronn Lue

By BETH HARRIS - Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker, left, dunks past Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Lakers’ motivation for repeat: Do it again for LA’s fans

By GREG BEACHAM - Associated Press

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet celebrates after scoringing against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Charlotte, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Raptors retooled, but VanVleet says they’re still dangerous

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, center, shoots between Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton, left, and center Richaun Holmes during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Lillard appealed to front office for tools to win title

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, rear, passes the ball as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Antetokounmpo gets scare in Bucks’ loss to Mavericks

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford talks to players during a timeout in the first half of the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

John Wall back on floor, NBA opens preseason in empty arenas

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Arizona rolls over Cal State Bakersfield 85-60

Associated Press

Like teams, NBA refs have new health and safety protocols

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2020, file photo, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reacts during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. Jackets are not. Rules for coaching attire will be relaxed by the league this year, though not as much as was the case during play at the bubble at Walt Disney World this past summer. Suit jackets or sport coats will not be required — but coaches won’t be able to wear the short-sleeved shirts that most donned for games in the bubble, either. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File)

NBA coaches attire: Masks are in, jackets are optional

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2020, file photo, Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) argues a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harden has not reported to training camp with the Rockets and coach Stephen Silas says he did not know when the All-Star guard would arrive. The Rockets had their second workout of training camp on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, and afterward the new coach addressed the absence of the disgruntled star who reportedly wants to be traded. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Harden in Houston for COVID tests after missing camp’s start

By KRISTIE RIEKEN - Associated Press

FILE - In this July 24, 2013, file photo, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg poses for a photo in her chambers at the Supreme Court in Washington, before an interview with The Associated Press. Ginsburg, 87, developed a cultlike following over her more than 27 years on the bench, especially among young women who appreciated her lifelong, fierce defense of women's rights. She died Sept. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020

By BERNARD McGHEE - Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James dunks during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. After James emerged from the longest season in NBA history with a fourth ring, he returned home and planned the first Christmas family vacation of his adult life. That's when James learned that his 17th NBA offseason would be unprecedentedly short. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

LeBron considers load management, maps future with Lakers

By GREG BEACHAM - Associated Press

Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook is held back by a referee as he argues during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Wizards ready to embrace Russell Westbrook, intensity and all

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2020, file pool photo, Oklahoma City Thunder's Chris Paul (3) drives against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Veteran point guard Chris Paul was the marquee addition during the offseason for the Phoenix Suns. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP, File)

NBA: Teams that break virus protocols may lose games, picks

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) shoots between Denver Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr., left, and Nikola Jokic, right, during the second half an NBA basketball game in the conference finals in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. After capturing his second NBA championship ring with the Lakers, the 34-year-old Rondo has moved on to the youthful Atlanta Hawks, where he will serve as a mentor to budding superstar Trae Young while providing valuable minutes off the bench for one of the league's more intriguing teams. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Coaching can wait: Rondo plots future, but stays in present

By PAUL NEWBERRY - Associated Press

FILE - Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons (25) goes up for a shot between Chicago Bulls' Luke Kornet (2) and Tomas Satoransky (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Philadelphia, in this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, file photo. Simmons says he’s 100% healthy following surgery on his left knee in August that kept him from playing in the postseason. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Ben Simmons all in on 76ers’ new buzzword: accountability

By DAN GELSTON - Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard, left, and Paul George talk on the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio. George and teammate Leonard can become free agents after the upcoming season. George could also sign a contract extension with the team. (AP Photo/Darren Abate, File)

Paul George: ‘I want to retire a Clipper’

By BETH HARRIS - Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, rear, and Anthony Davis (3) celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo. Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the terms of Davis' pending free agent deal to The Associated Press on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) **FILE**

Doubling up: Some NBA teams to stay longer in road cities

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press