NBA season likely to begin Christmas Day [url]https://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/11/26/we-have-makings-of-a-deal/[/url]
This presents a unique opportunity: How do teams play differently when they've only had 16 days to practice? (Camps open 9 December, but that is also when free agency begins.) Although football and basketball are obviously quite different, one could expect a lot of overs when the season begins while teams figure out defense. However, if teams aren't ready to run an offense yet, they're going to run the shot clock down to make fewer mistakes. And what would be more fun than to open the season with some 85-83 finals?
As a rule, I'll start with handicapping teams with less turnover/fewer free agent signings with a +5 to their power rating. They should be able to take advantage of new defenses. And teams with marquee signings/holdouts? Minus-5 to start. And we'll see how it all plays out. Also perhaps a lot of first quarter unders for aforementioned reasons.
