Tonight on TNT, a double-header featuring some of the best teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences will jump-start the 2024-25 NBA season. This will be the final season of the NBA’s contract with TNT, as the league has struck a new deal to broadcast their games via ESPN/ABC, NBC/Universal, and Amazon Prime Video.
TNT has been an official NBA broadcast partner since 1988. They attempted to execute a matching offer to the NBA over the summer, but legal technicalities allowed the league to grant the rights to other parties going forth.
The battle has entered the courts, so there is a chance that TNT could retain some broadcast rights in the future. However, these proceedings could extend into the 2025-26 season.
Pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage has been provided for years by the hit show NBA on TNT. Hosts Ernie Johnson Jr., Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith are uncertain as to the future of the show following this season.
There have been talks of the four remaining on TNT for a non-NBA-specific format. Johnson has previously mentioned that his contract ties him to TNT beyond the 2024-25 season, disrupting any potential to fully regroup on another network.
Tonight at 7:30 PM, two teams that are expected to finish at the top of the Eastern Conference standings battle it out at TD Garden.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Line
- Knicks Point Spread: +6.0 (-115)
- Knicks Money Line: +190
- Celtics Point Spread: -6.0 (-105)
- Celtics Money Line: -230
- Over: 222.5 (-110)
- Under: 222.5 (-110)
Game lines at NBA sportsbooks favor the Boston Celtics to defend their home court. The New York Knicks are 6-point underdogs with a +190 moneyline that suggests they have a 35% chance of winning.
Following the Celtics and Knicks, the LA Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves are scheduled for a 10 PM tipoff.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Line
- Timberwolves Point Spread: -1.5 (-110)
- Timberwolves Money Line: -125
- Lakers Point Spread: +1.5 (-110)
- Lakers Money Line: +105
- Over: 220.5 (-105)
- Under: 220.5 (-115)
Last season, the Lakers were ousted from the NBA Playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in the first round, losing in five games. Minnesota then eliminated the Nuggets in the second round, only to fall to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.
Tonight, Minnesota is projected to spoil LeBron and Bronnie’s regular-season debut, the first father-and-son duo to play for the same team in NBA history.
Tomorrow, ten games are on the schedule, marketing the season’s first full day of action.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 5, 2025. The Celtics lead the preseason odds for betting on the next NBA Champions.