Despite a number of obstacles and plenty of positive Covid-19 tests, the NBA will resume its season on Friday. 

New format for the return of basketball

Twenty two teams will play eight seeding games to determine the play-off standings. The play-offs would then commence in a traditional format, with seven game series in each round. 

All sides will be housed at the Walt Disney World Complex in Florida, in a bubble to maintain the safety of the players. Games will be played inside the Arena, Field House and Visa Athletic Centre. 

Seeded games will begin on the 30th July with the play-offs set to start on August 17th. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin at the end of September and continue into mid October. 

New dates set aside for Conference finals

The Conference semi-finals are set for August 31st till September 13th. Two days later will see the Conference Finals. 

The Western Conference will consist of Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs and Suns. 

Eastern Conference will consist of Bucks, Raptors, Celtics, Heat, Pacers, 76ers, Nets, Magic and Wizards. 

Teams will be allowed to bring as many as 17 players to Orlando with play-off rosters consisting of 15 players. 

Fans will not be allowed to attend games for the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season. 

The league will resume five months after the indefinite suspension due to the pandemic.  

Still concerns by many about the return

There is understandably plenty of people already concerned about the return of the NBA. As it stands already 25 players have been tested positive for Covid-19. 

With no home court advantage it opens up the possibility of a surprise NBA champion side. 

Can the Lakers continue their impressive record?

Currently the LA Lakers sit at the top of the Western Conference with a 49-14 record.  In the East Milwaukee Bucks are seven games ahead of second placed Raptors. 

With the Lakers and Clippers potentially set up for a match up in the Western finals, the East it is still open. 

Boston who currently sit in third place in the East could come with a late run and clinch the Eastern Conference. 

So many questions still left unanswered, however the good news for all basketball fans worldwide is the show is back on