NBA NEWS - PREVIEW for WEEK 10

LeBron James of the Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Nets will select the rosters for the March 7 game in the NBA All-Star Draft - (All Pro reels photo) NBA All-Star Game Starters

Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics Larry Bird in Game two of the 1985 NBA Finals at Boston Garden Date 30 May 1985 - Steve Lipofsky www.Basketballphoto.com ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN MAGIC JOHNSON & PHAL SAMPHORS

The Nets have closed within half a game of Philadelphia for first place in the Eastern Conference - TNT will reveal the 2021 NBA All-Star Game reserves on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, - Once 2-8, the Raptors have won nine of their last 12 games to climb above .500 for the first time this season (16-15) - Chicago’s Zach LaVine has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games and seven of his last eight, raising his season average to 28.9 points (sixth in the NBA) - THIS DAY IN THE NBA

NEW YORK, NY - USA

Monday, February 22, 2021

NET GAINS:

Brooklyn has won six consecutive games and just completed a 5-0 road trip that concluded with consecutive victories over three of the top four teams in the Western Conference: Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers. The Nets have closed within half a game of Philadelphia for first place in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn’s Week 10 schedule includes Saturday’s matchup against Dallas in NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC.

RESERVE JUDGMENT:

TNT will reveal the 2021 NBA All-Star Game reserves on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, followed by a doubleheader with Boston visiting Dallas in the opener and Denver hosting Portland in the second game. All- Star Game team captains LeBron James of the Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Nets will select the rosters for the March 7 game in the NBA All-Star Draft, which TNT will air on Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET.

RAPTORS ROLLING:

Toronto went 4-0 in Week 9, including two road victories over Milwaukee and a home win against Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia. Once 2-8, the Raptors have won nine of their last 12 games to climb above .500 for the first time this season (16-15). Toronto begins its Week 10 schedule Tuesday with another matchup vs. the 76ers (NBA LP).

MARQUEE MATCHUP:

On Wednesday, ESPN features the first game of the season between the defending NBA champion Lakers and league-leading Utah, which is 20-2 in its last 22 games. The matchup takes place at Vivint Arena, where the Jazz has won 13 games in a row entering Week 10. Los Angeles has posted an NBA-best 13-3 record on the road.

AROUND THE NBA:

Chicago’s Zach LaVine has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games and seven of his last eight, raising his season average to 28.9 points (sixth in the NBA). … Charlotte’s Terry Rozier has also posted four straight 30-point games. … Phoenix is 11-2 in its last 13 games. … Miami’s Jimmy Butler has already tied the single-season team record for triple- doubles with four, three of which came in consecutive games last week.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

February 22, 1950 Julius Erving is born in Roosevelt, New York.

February 22, 1962 Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors attempted an NBA record 34 free throws in a 139-121 Warrior victory over St. Louis.

February 22, 1985 George Gervin of San Antonio scored his 25,000th career point (ABA/NBA combined) in a 118-111 win over Phoenix.

February 22, 1992 Golden State Coach Don Nelson became the ninth coach in NBA history to chalk up 700 career victories, following the Warriors’ 126-124 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Nelson reached 700 wins in 1,181 games, faster than any other coach except Red Auerbach (1,091 games).

February 22, 1994 The Rookie Game, showcasing first-year NBA players, was introduced in Minneapolis, replacing the Legends Game.

February 22, 1996 In one of the most active trading deadline days ever, six trades involving 19 players took place. Miami's roster underwent the biggest change, as the Heat acquired Tim Hardaway and Chris Gatling from Golden State, Walt Williams and Tyrone Corbin from Sacramento and Tony Smith from Phoenix.