NBA preview: Brooklyn Nets welcome Milwaukee Bucks as Atlanta Hawks travel to Los Angeles Lakers

Viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to thrills and spills from the world’s best basketball league, with ESPN and ESPN 2 the premier venues for coverage of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 2021-22 season will continue through the week of Friday 7 to Thursday 13 January 2022.

The first of three live NBA Regular Season games this week arrives on the morning of Saturday 8 January, with the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Milwaukee Bucks (02:45 LIVE on ESPN 2) at the Barclays Center.

The Nets have come through a tough time of late, coping with injuries and Covid-enforced absences, and they will be looking to kick on in the New Year. "I told the guys (that I was) really proud of the effort," Nets coach Steve Nash said. "We've got a bunch of guys playing extended minutes for multiple games for the first time. (So) overall, really proud of them and it was a great effort."

The Nets v Bucks game will be immediately followed by the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Atlanta Hawks at the Staples Center (05:00 LIVE on ESPN 2).

The Lakers were expected to be one of the major contenders this season, but their patchy form thus far suggests that they have plenty of improving to do in 2022 if they are to challenge for the championship. "Obviously we're doing things on the fly, figuring out how to play with the lineups we have and the people we have available," Russell Westbrook said. "New guys are stepping in here, so we've got to do what we can. That's it. You've just got to play hard and let the rest take care of itself."

The Hawks will be in action again in the 'City of Angels' on the evening of Sunday 9 January, this time taking on the Los Angeles Clippers (22:30 LIVE on ESPN 2).

Atlanta coach Nate McMillan has called on his side to stick to a game plan out on the court: "I haven't questioned their effort, but there's a concern," he explained. "I didn't like what I saw out there. We've got to commit to defending or playing defence out there. It can't be about scoring. I thought when our shots didn't fall we took it to the defensive end of the floor and we didn't compete. That's a concern when you see that."

NBA match broadcast details

• All times CAT

Saturday 8 January

• 02:45: Brooklyn Nets v Milwaukee Bucks – LIVE on ESPN 2
• 05:00: Los Angeles Lakers v Atlanta Hawks – LIVE on ESPN 2

Sunday 9 January

• 22:30: Los Angeles Clippers v Atlanta Hawks – LIVE on ESPN