NBA season preview 2022-23

REGULAR SEASON: OCT 18, 2022 - APR 9, 2023 	NBA FINALS: JUN 1-18, 2023 

The 77th NBA season launches as the Golden State Warriors aim to defend their title, while basketball legend LeBron James targets another record-breaking campaign. The postseason retains the Play-In Tournament format – for teams seeded 7th to 10th in each conference – before traditional play-offs will decide the Eastern and Western champions to clash in the NBA Finals


Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets. Most Valuable Player in NBA for second successive season


NBA FRANCHISES

Two conferences, each with 15 teams divided into three divisions:

Regular season games
82

Trail Blazers
Division: Northwest

Warriors
Pacific

Kings
Pacific

Clippers
Pacific

Lakers
Pacific
LeBron James (left) LA Lakers

Jazz
Northwest

Suns
Pacific

Nuggets
Northwest

Thunder
Northwest

Mavericks
Southwest

Timberwolves
Northwest

Bucks
Central

Bulls
Central

Grizzlies
Southwest

Pelicans
Southwest

Rockets, Southwest

Spurs
Southwest

Toronto Raptors
Atlantic

Pistons
Central

Cavaliers
Central

Pacers
Central

Celtics
Atlantic

Knicks
Atlantic

Nets, Atlantic 

76ers,Atlantic

Wizards
Southeast

Hornets, Southeast

Hawks
Southeast 

Magic
Southeast

Heat
Southeast


Beginners’ guide to basketball

Elevated basket:
Hoop height 3.05m
Diameter 45cm

Attacking team: Must get ball in opposing half within eight seconds and make shot at basket within 24 seconds

Ball control: Player must dribble (bounce) ball while moving, and not hold ball for more than five seconds

Free throw line: Up to three throws awarded for fouls

Three-point line

15m

No-charge semi-circle

Key: Attacking player may not stay in this area for more than three seconds

28m

Playing time
Four 12-minute quarters, followed by five- minute overtime periods if scores are tied

Scoring
Free throw: 1pt
Inside three-point line: 2pts
Outside three-point line: 3pts



2021-22 PERFORMANCES
Regular season records only

Eastern Conference	Win-Loss
Miami Heat		53 29 		
Boston Celtics 		51 31
Milwaukee Bucks 	51 31
Philadelphia 76ers 	51 31
Toronto Raptors 	48 34
Chicago Bulls 		46 36
Brooklyn Nets 		44 38
Cleveland Cavaliers 	44 38
Atlanta Hawks 		43 39
Charlotte Hornets 	43 39
New York Knicks 	37 45
Washington Wizards 	35 47
Indiana Pacers 		25 57
Detroit Pistons 	23 59
Orlando Magic		22 60

Western Conference 	
Phoenix Suns		64 18
Memphis Grizzlies	56 26
Golden State Warriors 	53 29
Dallas Mavericks	52 30
Utah Jazz		49 33
Denver Nuggets		48 34
Minnesota Timberwolves  46 36
Los Angeles Clippers	42 40
New Orleans Pelicans  	36 46
San Antonio Spurs	34 48
Los Angeles Lakers	33 49
Sacramento Kings	30 52
Portland Trail Blazers	27 55
Oklahoma City Thunder  	24 58
Houston Rockets		20 62

              
Source: NBA
Picture: Getty Images
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