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Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell, right, goes up for a shot against Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

With offenses blowing up in bubble, defenses try to catch up

By BRIAN MAHONEY - Associated Press

Utah Jazz's Mike Conley (10) rebounds against Denver Nuggets' Monte Morris (11) and Mason Plumlee (7) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Utah’s Mike Conley returns to NBA bubble after birth of son

Associated Press

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) goes up to shoot past Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen (31) and guard Garrett Temple (17) during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)

VanVleet leads red-hot Raptors to 134-110 triumph over Nets

Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) reacts after a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

James on his return to postseason: ‘This is the toughest’

By BRIAN MAHONEY - Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket past Washington Wizards' Anzejs Pasecniks, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

As the NBA playoffs begin, here are 10 things to know

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

NBA: 2021 All-Star weekend in Indy unlikely on current dates

Associated Press

Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray, left, reacts near head coach Michael Malone after a play against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

Murray helps Nuggets hold off Jazz, Mitchell 135-125 in OT

Associated Press

Toronto Raptors' Serge Ibaka, top left, grabs a rebound against Brooklyn Nets' Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, right, and Caris LeVert (22) during the third quarter of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

VanVleet hits for 30 as Raptors beat Nets 134-110 in opener

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant reacts after a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

No playoffs a painful lesson for Ja Morant, young Grizzlies

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma (0) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning 3-pointer against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Lakers won 124-121. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool) **FILE**

NBA’s summer vacation ends in bubble as teams get down to playoff business

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Sacramento Kings' DaQuan Jeffries, left, defends against Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Lakers face stiff test in playoff return from Dame, Blazers

Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma (0) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning 3-pointer against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Lakers won 124-121. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

Welcome to the playoffs: The NBA’s best time of year is here

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

Los Angeles Clippers' forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)

Leonard, George vs. Doncic, Porzingis as Clippers meet Mavs

Associated Press

Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert, left, is defended by Denver Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr., center, and Nikola Jokic (15) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Close encounters: Jazz, Nuggets evenly matched all season

By PAT GRAHAM - Associated Press

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) makes a basket as Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz (30) and forward Norvel Pelle (14) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

Surprising Suns ready to build off bubble success

By DAVID BRANDT - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal drives during an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Washington. Without their two All-Stars and far-and-away best players, point guard John Wall and Beal, the Wizards went just 1-7 during the league's coronavirus pandemic restart in Florida, losing their first seven games before closing things with a meaningless victory in the finale. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

After 25-win season, Wizards need Wall, Beal to be ‘fun’

By HOWARD FENDRICH - Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard, left,and Memphis Grizzlies' Jonas Valanciunas tangle during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Blazers make playoffs, oust Grizzlies with 126-122 victory

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Bucks seeking return to form as they open against Magic

By STEVE MEGARGEE - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry watches during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in New Orleans. The Pelicans have fired Gentry, Saturday, Aug. 15, after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza, File)

Pelicans fire Alvin Gentry after 5 seasons as team’s coach

By BRETT MARTEL - Associated Press

FILE - In this April 11, 2019, file photo, Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac answers questions concerning the decision to fire coach Dave Joerger in Sacramento, Calif. Divac has stepped down as general manager of the Kings and will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Dumars. The Kings announced the move Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, a day after they ended their 14th straight season without a playoff berth. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Kings once again seek answers after missing playoffs

By JOSH DUBOW - Associated Press