A pair of Western Conference squads looking to bounce back from disappointing finishes to last season and are meeting for the second time this month on Thursday, Oct. 31 when the LA Clippers once again host the Phoenix Suns at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
The game is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on NBA TV, KPHE and FanDuel Sports Network SoCal. Fans looking to watch this NBA game can do so for free by using FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, which both offer a free trial or with SlingTV, which doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available.
In the first matchup last week, the Suns prevailed in overtime, 116-113, but the Clippers and their new stadium kept things interesting. Phoenix missed some free throws late in the game when facing “The Wall,” a special section of 51 uninterrupted rows of seating designed to be a unique distraction to opposing teams.
However, the 2-2 Clippers have yet to secure a win in front of the home crowd after losing Wednesday top the Portland Trailblazers. Meanwhile, the 3-1 Suns are looking to secure their second win at the Intuit Dome this season.
- WATCH THE GAME FOR FREE HERE
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers
When: Thursday, Oct. 31 at 10:30 p.m. EST
Where: Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Stream: FuboTV (free trial); Sling; DirecTV Stream (free trial)
Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
What is FuboTV?
FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial, and $20 off the first month for new costumers.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream offers practically everything DirecTV provides, except for a remote and a streaming device to connect to your television. Sign up now and get three free months of premium channels including MAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz.
What is SlingTV?
SlingTV offers a variety of live programing ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancelation.
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JD Ralls and Tyler Ricks are promoted to NBA’s full-time referee staff
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has promoted referees JD Ralls and Tyler Ricks to the league’s full-time staff for this season.
Ralls has worked 28 NBA games in his career, including two this season. Ricks has worked 24 games in the NBA, one of those this season.
The promotions of Ralls and Ricks — both of whom were non-staff referees until Tuesday’s announcement — means the NBA has 75 full-time officials this season, one more than last year. The only full-time referee from last season who did not return was Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, who announced her retirement last week because of ongoing knee issues.
Ricks has worked nine seasons in the G League, and Ralls has worked games in that minor league for seven years.
“JD and Tyler are two more examples demonstrating how the NBA G League is used as an important development tool and training ground,” said NBA senior vice president Monty McCutchen, who oversees referee training and development. “We recognize their continued service to the game and celebrate their rise to the NBA ranks.”
Ralls and Ricks will continue working games in the G League, as do all NBA referees with fewer than four years of service. The NBA says that allows referees to “gain additional experience as crew chiefs and develop as leaders.”
“Both referees have achieved promotions by displaying consistent dedication to their craft on and off the court,” said Albert Sanders, the NBA’s executive vice president for referee operations.
In addition to the 75 full-time staff, there are nine non-staff referees that will work games for the NBA this season.
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Second gambler admits trying to cash in on scheme involving ex-NBA player Jontay Porter
NEW YORK (AP) — A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty Wednesday in a sports betting scheme that ended Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter’s NBA career.
With Mahmud Mollah ‘s plea Wednesday, three people — including Porter — have now publicly admitted their roles in the scandal. It worked like this: The player withdrew early from games so that tipped-off gamblers could win wagers that he would score fewer points than sportsbooks expected.
Porter, Mollah and Long Phi Pham have pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy. Two other men also have been charged and haven’t entered any pleas.
Mollah, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is set to be sentenced May 2 in a federal court in Brooklyn. He could face anything from a no-jail punishment to 20 years in prison.
His attorney, Andrew Levin, declined to comment Wednesday.
Porter played only briefly and scored no points in games on Jan. 26 and March 20 before pulling himself out of play, saying he was injured or ill.
According to a court complaint, Mollah used his knowledge of Porter’s March 20 plans to place bets that would have netted over $1 million to be split among the conspirators, including a 24% share to the player. But a betting company got suspicious and stopped Mollah from collecting most of the money.
The NBA ultimately investigated and banned Porter for life. He later told a court that he participated in the scam “to get out from under large gambling debts.”
Porter is awaiting sentencing Dec. 18.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
