A REMATCH OF A MEMORABLE PLAYOFF DUEL In Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals series this past season, the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets engaged in one of the best back-and-forths in recent memory. The Blazers needed four extra periods to earn a 140-137 win – a match-up they eventually won, 4-2. DIFFERENT
THE DEFENDING CHAMPS ARE (STILL) HERE Kawhi Leonard may be gone, but the champs are still the champs until they get officially eliminated. Also, as amazing as Leonard was, no one can really take away one key stat from this Raptors team: they went 17-5 in the 22 games that he sat out last season.
A CLASH OF FUTURE STARS This match-up is an embarrassment of riches – and by “riches,” we mean future stars of the NBA. There’s vast talent on each team, so we may see one of the most interesting pre-season games this season. The phrase “League Pass team,” – or simply “the team you should watch
THE BULLS HAVE A SNEAKY-GOOD ROSTER The Chicago Bulls, despite a string of questionable front office decisions and in-team craziness, have still managed to put together a decent roster, one that you can still lean hope into. Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, who they both got back when they shipped Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota
A NEW POINT GUARD ERA IN BOSTON Another high-scoring guard is set to begin his tenure with the Boston Celtics, as three-time All-Star, and interestingly enough, former Charlotte Hornet, Kemba Walker, is now in town. He’s the team’s third new starting PG since February 2015, following the trail left by Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving,
