The result was a mutually beneficial three-year, $41 million deal that doubled as a defiant, desperate signal to the rest of the NBA: The Rockets still want to win. It’s ambitious by design, intended to prolong one successful era or start fresh with something new. But even as Harden publicly circulates his wish to play for the Brooklyn Nets, Houston must be hoping that the addition will eventually change his mind.Phoenix Suns Face Masks

“If you are uneducated to what is going on, that is one thing. Continue to get educated. But we can control our peace. We can control our voice and what we say to others. We can control the things we can control. That is the main focus to me. Preaching on controlling how you treat people. You can’t control the past. You can control the future with a small bit of change every day, every month and every year just going out of your way to just be a positive energy around people.”

Finally, rather than releasing the entire schedule all at once, the NBA is going to release it in halves. The First Half -- games taking place from Dec. 22-March 4 -- was released last week, and the Second Half will be released after about 30 games have been played. This gives the NBA flexibility to adjust to possible postponements due to COVID-19 issues. -- BontempsLos Angeles Clippers Face Masks

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There was well-documented tension between Gobert and Mitchell that surfaced during the NBA's hiatus earlier this year, but both players expressed confidence that they could continue to form a productive professional partnership after discussing their issues before the league's restart. That belief was reaffirmed by their chemistry in the bubble.

Rudy Gobert has been an All-NBA selection in three of the past four seasons and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 2017-18 and 2018-19. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
"After all the things that happened within our team and all that, I really wanted to go back in the bubble and see how things are going," Gobert said. "After the bubble, I really felt like I could win a championship with Donovan. I think we've both grown a lot, and we're going to keep growing. I'm really excited that we're going to be able to continue this journey together."

Mahomes finished 26-of-47 passing (55.3%) for 254 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. But he did lose a fumble on a fourth-quarter sack. The Saints also scored a safety by forcing a fumble on a punt return just before halftime.Chicago Bulls Face Masks

The Golden State Warriors' "Operation Dub Nation" plan to fill the Chase Center to 50% capacity -- a proposal that included rapid COVID-19 testing for every person who entered the arena -- was rejected by the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

Other catch-all metrics smiled at his production. Wood was 16th in Real Plus-Minus (sandwiched between Khris Middleton and Zion Williamson), and out of 197 players who logged at least 1,300 minutes, he ranked in the top 20 in both box score and on/off RAPTOR. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton projected Wood as the third-best free agent in this class, trailing only Anthony Davis and Fred VanVleet.Orlando Magic Face Masks Face Masks