Week 1 of the regular season is done which means the door is open for overreactions and irrational hype. The first week is also the perfect chance for League Pass teams to emerge and make their pitch for binge-able games that last the whole season. Here are five of those teams:
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
While LaMelo Ball’s play feels inspired by the Rookie of the Year award, Anthony Edwards’ play is driven by aggression. Being second place is never fun and Ant Man has no qualms showing it. He’s averaging 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in a hot start that included a poster or two. A healthy Karl-Anthony Towns—always a joy to watch—is also looking to make up for lost time. The Wolves are still a couple of pieces away from being competitive in the West, but the highlights from KAT, Ant Man, and D’Angelo Russell should be more than enough for your League Pass attention.
4. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets aren’t expected to rack up Ws this season and that’s not why they’re a League Pass favorite. H-Town gives you the occasional explosions from Christian Wood and the quick jumps to the future with Jalen Green. Then there’s the uninhibited play of Kevin Porter Jr. to provide added entertainment. That’s just fun minus the painful hangover.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are projected to be in the same tier as the Houston Rockets, standings-wise. But to start the season, there are many things to be excited about for The Land. There’s the rookie stud in Evan Mobley, the blossoming superstar in Collin Sexton, the double-double machinery of Jarrett Allen, and the add-on heat from Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. It’s a full-on adventure with these Cavs with an open possibility of a huge upset or a breakout game. You wouldn’t want to miss that.
2. Indiana Pacers
Check the box score of any Indiana Pacers’ game and it’s an eat-all-you-can buffet. Just about everyone on the Pacers’ starting five can feast at any given time. They suffered heartbreaking losses in their first two games but that’s part of the Pacers League Pass experience. It’s a thriller with no promise of reward in the end, nope. The reward is in the journey, that part where rookie Chris Duarte launches deep 3s with a hand in his face; where Malcolm Brogdon destroys defenses and drops 28 points; and where Myles Turner can suddenly mess around and drop 40. Most eyes were on All-Star Domantas Sabonis last season—more eyes should be on everyone else this time.
1. Charlotte Hornets
If last season was a dress rehearsal of sorts for the magic show of LaMelo Ball, then this season is the extravaganza. That’s the only way to explain what Ball has been doing so far. He’s shown that there’s more than just tricks up his sleeve, and the fancy passes aren’t a mere spectacle. In the Hornets’ season opener versus Indiana, Ball dropped an absurd 31-9-7 line to go with his 7 3s. So you come for the LaMelo Show, then you stay for Miles Bridges. Bridges, named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, is averaging 25 points and 8 rebounds per game. If you pick a Hornets game on League Pass, expect fireworks.
***
Easily watch FREE LIVE NBA games on the new Smart GigaPlay App! Available to Giga Video & Smart Signature subscribers. Download it now on smrt.ph/gigaplay. Data charges apply.
