Basketball fans can look forward to thrills and spills from the world’s best basketball league, with ESPN and ESPN 2 the premier venues for coverage of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 2020-21 season will continue through the week of Friday 15 to Thursday 21 January 2021.
The first live match arrives on the morning of Saturday 16 January, with the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Dallas Mavericks (02:30 AM LIVE on ESPN 2), quickly followed by reigning champions the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the New Orleans Pelicans (05:00 AM LIVE on ESPN 2).
The Bucks’ season thus far has been marked by inconsistency, though Giannis Antetokounmpo insists he is just going full throttle regardless.
“I’m not patient. I just go give 100 percent on playing defense,” Antetokounmpo said following a recent loss in Miami. “I try to play the right way on offense. I try to play hard. I don’t try to save energy. I save energy after the game.”
Elsewhere, Lakers shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is enjoying an excellent 2020-21 season, with his confidence “through the roof” as he enjoys playing alongside the likes of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
James has hailed the 27-year-old for his contribution: “He knows what his value is to this team, and he knows what he’s about,” said the veteran after a recent win over the San Antonio Spurs.
“What he brings to our team is perfect in his role: a guy who is a catch-and-shoot three-point player, a guy who is a great cutter, great in transition, and also can just give us a lot of movement, get defenses shifted because of his speed. It works for our team perfectly, and when you have that confidence in yourself, it trickles down to the team.”
The evening of Sunday 17 January sees the Mavericks in action again, as they face the Chicago Bulls at home (09:00 PM LIVE on ESPN 2).
Bulls rookie Devon Dotson may not have been drafted before the start of the season, but his later signing with the Chicago franchise and the chance to make an impact in the NBA has led him to some eye-catching performances.
“When I got that (Bulls) jersey, just seeing my name on the back and I was just seeing the history behind this program,” Dotson said. “It’s a very historic program and culture. So, getting that jersey for the first time, it kind of really hit me and set in. It was just a super cool feeling.”
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NBA match broadcast details
Saturday 16 January
02:30 AM: Milwaukee Bucks v Dallas Mavericks – LIVE on ESPN 2
05:00 AM: LA Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans – LIVE on ESPN 2
Sunday 17 January
09:00 PM: Dallas Mavericks v Chicago Bulls – LIVE on ESPN