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In this Sept. 15, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers questions a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Rivers is now head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. The first preseason camps of the coronavirus era are formally open, with teams limited for now to individual sessions with one coach and one player at one basket, all of this starting to happen as the pandemic continues raging and more and more Americans are testing positive. “I’m very concerned if we can pull this off,” Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) **FILE**

New NBA coaches for 9 teams navigating compressed timeline

By BRETT MARTEL - Associated Press

Washington Wizards Russell Westbrook brings the ball up the floor during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in Washington. (Rob Carr/Getty Images via AP, Pool)

Westbrook debuts for Wizards in win over Detroit

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives ahead of Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Off the radar again: Ja Morant has same to-do list this year

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2020 file photo, Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, shouts from the bench in the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Antetokounmpo has appeared in a government ad in his native Greece, released ahead of Christmas to urge people to observe public safety measures during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

East preview: Heat returning champs, but have challengers

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2018, file photo, Qualtrics CEO Ryan Smith poses in the Hub at the company's headquarters in Orem, Utah. The NBA's Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, of the Utah Jazz to a group led by technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith, ending the Miller family’s 35-year run as owners of the franchise. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News via AP, File)

NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur

Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, and forward Anthony Davis wear masks watch their teammates play during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

West preview: LeBron’s Lakers load up for a run at a repeat

By BRIAN MAHONEY - Associated Press

Referee Kane Fitzgerald (5) watches the instant replay screen while reviewing a flagrant foul by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond during the second half of the Pitstons' NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelican in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Drummond was ejected. The Pelicans won 109-86. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) **FILE**

Coaches’ challenge stays in NBA, game-night rosters go to 15

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Phoenix Suns Chris Paul, right, drives as Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang, left, defends during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Suns, several NBA teams make bold offseason moves to improve

By DAVID BRANDT - Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020 file photo, Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates after a dunk against Orlando during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Giannis Antetokounmpo praised the “amazing” moves the Bucks have made to improve their team, but the two-time reigning MVP didn’t indicate whether he would sign their supermax contract extension offer. Right now I’m not focusing on that,” Antetokounmpo said Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Antetokounmpo features in Greek pandemic safety ad

Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2020 file photo, former basketball superstar Michael Jordan speaks during a news conference ahead of NBA basketball game between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in Paris. 23XI Racing announced a full slate of sponsorship Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, to back the new NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. DoorDash, McDonald’s, Columbia Sportswear, Dr Pepper and Root Insurance were all named “founding partners” for the No. 23 Toyota Camry that Bubba Wallace will drive next season. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

NBA Foundation announces first $2 million in grant awards

Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020 file photo, Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates after a dunk against Orlando during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Giannis Antetokounmpo praised the “amazing” moves the Bucks have made to improve their team, but the two-time reigning MVP didn’t indicate whether he would sign their supermax contract extension offer. Right now I’m not focusing on that,” Antetokounmpo said Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Antetokounmpo says he wanted to repay Milwaukee’s loyalty

By STEVE MEGARGEE - Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dunks in front of Minnesota Timberwolves Jarrett Culver (23) in the third quarter during an NBA preseason basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King)

Grizzlies exercise options for Morant, Jackson, Clarke

Associated Press

Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) passes in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo (6) and guard Theo Maledon (11) in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

James, Davis back on court for Lakers as season draws near

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren calls to his team during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Pacers hope coaching change, new style deliver playoff wins

By MICHAEL MAROT - 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

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) tries to drive against Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Big-spending Hawks hoping depth produces return to playoffs

By CHARLES ODUM - Associated Press

FILE - Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton (22) is defended by Miami Heat's Goran Dragic, left, and Miami Heat's Kendrick Nunn, right, in the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, file photo. The Bucks paid a hefty price to acquire guard Jrue Holiday to join a nucleus that includes Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-Star forward Khris Middleton as they try to erase the postseason disappointment of the last two years. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Bucks overhaul roster in attempt to improve playoff fortunes

By STEVE MEGARGEE - Associated Press

FILE - Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a shot as Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook, right, looks on during the first half of an NBA first-round playoff basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, file photo. The young guys who emerged for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season will have more responsibility now that veterans Chris Paul, Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari have moved on.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Overhauled roster, timeline, pandemic test new Thunder coach

By CLIFF BRUNT - Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Borrego: Hornets have needed playmakers in Ball, Hayward

By STEVE REED - Associated Press

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes as he falls to the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Magic hope continuity leads to more balance, more wins

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press