As major sport slowly returns across the globe, basketball has become the latest sport to provide a major boost to fans, stakeholders and betting companies alike.
Indeed, sports betting operators will be able to offer markets and take wagers on the NBA once again from a start date of Friday 31 July, with the NBA board of governors approving a competitive format to restart the 2019-20 season.
The return will involve 22 teams, while the board’s approval is the first formal step "among many required" to resume the campaign.
Based on the format, the 22 returning teams would be the 16 teams (eight per conference) in current play-off positions, along with the six teams currently six games or fewer behind the eighth seed in their respective conferences.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, said: "While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts.
"We also recognize that as we prepare to resume play, our society is reeling from recent tragedies of racial violence and injustice; and we will continue to work closely with our teams and players to use our collective resources and influence to address these issues in very real and concrete ways."
