Unlike in the United States, NBA fans in India can't unwind at the end of the day by watching competitive live-action from the best basketball league in the world.
With the time difference, nearly every NBA game is played while Indians are switching off their alarms and getting ready for the working day ahead. The only opportunity that they get to watch live rivetting NBA action with their feet up is over the weekend.
There's nothing like beginning your weekend on a cold winter Saturday with a hot tea or coffee and some great basketball.
Saturday, Jan. 8 is shaping up to be just that with a nine-game schedule headlined by some of the league's best players in LeBron James, Kevin Durant and reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
For more on Saturday's games, here's a preview with all you need to know from the schedule, biggest storylines and how to watch these games.
NBA schedule on Saturday, Jan. 8
- Spurs (15-22) at 76errs (21-16) - 5:30 a.m.
- Bucks (25-15) at Nets (24-12) - 6:00 a.m.
- Jazz (28-10) at Raptors (18-17) - 6:00 a.m.
- Wizards (19-19) at Bulls (25-10) - 6:30 a.m.
- Mavericks (20-18) at Rockets (11-28) - 6:30 a.m.
- Timberwolves (18-20) at Thunder (13-24) - 6:30 a.m.
- Kings (16-24) at Nuggets (18-18) - 7:30 a.m.
- Hawks (17-20) at Lakers (20-19) - 8:30 a.m.
- Cavaliers (21-17) at Trail Blazers (14-23) - 8:30 a.m.
(All times IST - Indian Standard Time)
Games, storylines to watch
Nets-Bucks: Possible Conference Finals? - NBA League Pass
Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, in what would be a repeat of the thrilling Eastern Conference Semifinals series in the 2021 playoffs.
Can't miss basketball.
Despite the potential of this contest, with it being played in Brooklyn, Kyrie Irving - who made his debut on Wednesday - will be ineligible to suit up for the Nets.
While they are coming off a win in Indiana, the Nets have lost four straight at home. On the other hand, the Bucks are coming off two straight losses against teams like the Pistons and Raptors.
Their previous matchup in Oct. on opening night was a blowout in the Bucks' favour. How will this one turn out?
Hawks continue road trip in Los Angeles - MTV, Vh1, Voot Select, Jio TV
The inconsistent Lakers host one of the league's young superstars in Trae Young and the Hawks. If Young plays, it could be a spectacular contest considering his previous game was a 56-point, 14-assist performance in Portland.
That's not all, he ranks in the Top 5 in the league in points and assists averaged.
However, 24 hours before the game, he's 'questionable' with a lower back contusion. Without him, it's difficult to see the shorthanded Hawks to put up a fight against a team that has LeBron James in their line-up.
For tomorrow’s game at LA Lakers:
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) January 7, 2022
Reddish (right ankle soreness) is probable.
Bogdanovic, Collins, Johnson (return to competition reconditioning) are questionable.
Young (low back contusion) is questionable.
Dieng, Oliver, Clemons (H&S) are out.
Hill, Hunter remain out.
That said, the Lakers' inconsistency has been the hallmark of the season. They have failed to win more than three games this season, a testament to how hard they have been hit with injuries and forced absences due to COVID-19.
Bulls put win streak on the line - NBA League Pass
The surging Bulls put their eight-game win streak on the line when they host the Wizards, a team they face for the second time in 2022. The last time these two teams competed, DeMar DeRozan had the final say at the buzzer.
In addition to the eight consecutive, they have won 13 of their last 16 and they have done this while multiple of their key players including DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso were out due to the NBA's health and safety protocols in December. This is the franchise's first eight-game win streak since 2012.
For much of the season, the Bulls have been led by the duo of DeRozan (26.9, 4th) and LaVine (26.3, 7th) with both ranking in the Top 10 in the league for points averaged. Following the Wizards, the Bulls have some tough upcoming opponents to overcome:
- Dallas (Jan. 10) - the winners of four straight having held their opponents to under 100 points in their last five games
- Brooklyn (Jan. 13) - the second-best team in the East with Kyrie Irving eligible to play in this game.
- Golden State (Jan. 15) - second-best team in the league.
How to watch live NBA games
Prior to Dec. 2, 2021, the only means to watch live NBA games on demand was by getting an NBA League Pass subscription.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
However, just over a month into the 2021-22 NBA season, it was announced that live games will return to television sets and streaming platforms in India.
Following the NBA's new multiyear partnership with Viacom18, live NBA games return to the television screens in India.
The NBA and Viacom18 announce a multiyear broadcast and streaming partnership in India. 🏀 x 📺
— NBAIndia (@NBAIndia) December 3, 2021
You can now watch NBA games live on @MTVIndia, @Vh1India, @justvoot, and @OfficialJioTV#NBA75 #NBAonMTV #NBAonVoot #NBAonVh1 #NBAonJioTV pic.twitter.com/c3WCjsWukW
Live NBA games can now be watched on television on Vh1 and MTV, while they can be streamed on digital platforms like VOOT and Jio TV.
Stay tuned for the release of the broadcast schedule of NBA games on MTV or Vh1.
Live NBA games can also be watched on-demand on your favourite device - mobile, tablet or desktop - with NBA League Pass. There are two choices while picking up a subscription - annual and eight-game.
The annual package presents every game for every team live and on-demand for a yearly subscription fee of 1500/- rupees. On the other hand, the eight-game package allows fans to choose any eight games to watch each month for 799/- rupees.
Since the NBA's five-year broadcast deal with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) expired after the conclusion of the 2020 NBA Finals, NBA League Pass has become the one-stop shop for NBA fans in India.
MORE: TV schedule for live 2021-22 games in India
NBA games made a brief return to television when Star Sports bagged the rights, however, this deal was only for the 2021 NBA Playoffs and the 2021 NBA Finals.
Nevertheless, NBA games should be back on television sets soon. Until then, stay tuned to this page for the latest updates on any and all broadcast-related information regarding live NBA games in India.
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