After one of the most captivating NBA offseasons in recent memory, the action returns to the court on October 23 and ESPN Australia/New Zealand has a monstrous opening week scheduled.
ESPN Australia/New Zealand's massive nine-game opening week tips off on Wednesday October 23 at 11am (AEDT) with a mouth-watering doubleheader featuring defending champs the Toronto Raptors up against the Pelicans who will be without No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson. Then, the new-look Battle for LA: LeBron's Lakers up against the Clippers featuring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Opening week also sees Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics tip off against Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers, followed by a rematch of last year's Western Conference Semifinals when Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers host Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.
Overall, ESPN Australia/New Zealand will air 190 regular season games and will once again be the home of the NBA Semifinals, Eastern and Western Conference Final Series and the Finals. The Finals are set to begin on June 5 and run through to Game 7 on June 22.
In addition to its 190-game regular season schedule ESPN Australia/New Zealand will also air Sportscenter, Get Up, NBA Countdown, NBA Courtside, and The Jump featuring a cast of high-profile analysts, reporters and guests on ESPN and the ESPN App.
ESPN Australia/New Zealand broadcast highlights
Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors will appear 30 times or more.
Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks will all appear 25 times or more.
Huge 5-game Boxing Day line-up, including LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The NBA Finals begin June 5, 2020
Opening Week (times in AEDT)
Wed, Oct 23
11am: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors (ESPN2)
1:30pm: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN2)
Thurs, Oct 24
10:45am: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN2)
1:05pm: Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN2)
Fri, Oct 25
11am: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets (ESPN2)
1:30pm: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors (ESPN2)
Sat, Oct 26
11:15am: Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN2)
1:35pm: Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN2)
Sun, Oct 27
1pm: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns (ESPN2)