World News – USA – Pelicans vs Raptors Live Scoreboard, Updates: Follow live from the 2020 season opener in Tampa Bay

New Orleans Pelicans striker Brandon Ingram (right) tries in the first half against Miami Heat striker Okpala (4) of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, December. 14, 2020 in Miami. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)

The New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. Friday, Dec. . 18, 2020. Due to coronavirus restrictions, a maximum of 750 fans were allowed to participate. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA. com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Attorney)

New Orleans Pelicans guard forward Zion Williamson (1), striker Brandon Ingram (14) and security guard Josh Hart (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in New Orleans on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (AP Photo / Matthew Hinton)

Lonzo Ball said he felt partially responsible for the pelicans fighting in the bubble. (AP Photo / Ashley Landis, Pool)

Milwaukee Bucks Guard Jrue Holiday, 21, talks to New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson, 1, and Lonzo Ball, 2, before tipping in the first half of a pre-game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. La. Friday, Dec. . 18, 2020. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA. com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Attorney)

Stan Van Gundy was introduced as the Pelicans head coach on Tuesday. Here he is pictured in 2018. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, file)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (right) drives to San Antonio Spurs security guard Lonnie Walker IV (left) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, August. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo / Ashley Landis, Pool) ORG XMIT: FLJR106

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) rebounds against Milwaukee Bucks Guard Jrue Holiday (21) in the first half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. Friday, Dec. . 18, 2020. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA. com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Attorney)

Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. . (2) plays Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, January. 22, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)

Miami Heat forward Moe Harkless attempts to steal the ball from Zion Williamson, 1, New Orleans Pelicans forward, in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game on Monday December. 14, 2020 in Miami. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee) ORG XMIT: AAA104

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (right) faces Miami Heat forward Okpala Concentration Camp (4) in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game on Monday, December. 14, 2020 in Miami. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)

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Just a few months away from the bubble, the 2020-2021 NBA season is already underway.

The New Orleans Pelicans officially kick off their season on Wednesday night, competing against the Toronto Raptors in their new makeshift home in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Before Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and the rest of the Pelicans crew prepare to « dance » again, take a look at some key storylines, seasonal info, and more:

This season, the NBA is releasing its schedule in half. 37 games make up the first half of the season.

Wondering which games not to miss? We highlighted four games that you can circle on your calendar.

The New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. Friday, Dec. . 18, 2020. Due to coronavirus restrictions, a maximum of 750 fans were allowed to participate. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA. com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Attorney)

In short, yes? Fans can play games at the Smoothie King Center this season. However, the exact number of fans allowed into the building will depend on the coronavirus data in New Orleans.

For the Pelican’s home opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec.. . 27, 800 fans are allowed to participate ???? approx. 4% of the full capacity of the Smoothie King Center.

See how the team works with city officials and health experts to determine fan participation this season.

Only a three-digit number of New Orleans Pelicans fans will be allowed to play the team’s home opening game later this month.

Miami Heat forward Moe Harkless attempts to steal the ball from Zion Williamson, 1, New Orleans Pelicans forward, in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game on Monday December. 14, 2020 in Miami. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee) ORG XMIT: AAA104

How will the season be? Here are five predictions from our employees, from who will lead the team in the standings and what needs to be done to see the season as a success.

The New Orleans Pelicans are back, and this season the Front Office has put together a team that it hopes can take an advantage.

New Orleans Pelicans guard forward Zion Williamson (1), striker Brandon Ingram (14) and security guard Josh Hart (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in New Orleans on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (AP Photo / Matthew Hinton)

While winning a championship is the obvious answer to a team’s success, there are a few levels to consider.

Columnist Scott Kushner examines what standards the pelicans must achieve by the end of the season.

Lonzo Ball said he felt partially responsible for the pelicans fighting in the bubble. (AP Photo / Ashley Landis, Pool)

The NBA’s play-in tournament for the final playoff seeds in the bubble last season was a hit for the league, and it looks like that format will be maintained with a slightly tweaked twist this season.

Check out what the Pelicans must do to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The end of the NBA regular season can stretch like a branch stuck in your wheel arch.

Milwaukee Bucks Guard Jrue Holiday, 21, talks to New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson, 1, and Lonzo Ball, 2, before tipping in the first half of a pre-game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. La. Friday, Dec. . 18, 2020. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA. com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Attorney)

There are many new faces on the Pelicans this season, including head coach Stan Van Gundy.

But how exactly did these redesigned pelican teams come about? The blockbuster Jrue Holiday Trade with the Milwaukee Bucks is only part of the puzzle.

Find out which numbers are considered to be one of the strangest seasons in NBA history here. The league is pushing ahead despite the pandemic. Each team will res . . .

Do you think you know your New Orleans Pelicans players? If not, this list is for you.

Stan Van Gundy was introduced as the Pelicans head coach on Tuesday. Here he is pictured in 2018. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, file)

For the second year running, the New Orleans Pelicans open the regular season against the Toronto Raptors on the streets.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (right) drives to San Antonio Spurs security guard Lonnie Walker IV (left) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, August. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo / Ashley Landis, Pool) ORG XMIT: FLJR106

After giving up his rookie extension, Ingram had a career year in his first season in New Orleans. which led to his new maximum contract being signed in the short off-season.

Now comes the hard part â ???? After his breakout year and sustained success in New Orleans.

Like the New Orleans Pelicansâ ???? The disastrous bladder performance neared its end in August, Brandon Ingram remained determined.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) rebounds against Milwaukee Bucks Guard Jrue Holiday (21) in the first half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. Friday, Dec. . 18, 2020. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA. com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Attorney)

We’ve already previewed what kind of player a Zion unleashed can be during the preseason.

Now look at what is expected of a « full throttle » version of the young phenomenon.

Two players to keep an eye on this season ???? Guard Lonzo Ball and striker Josh Hart.

The two young players who came to New Orleans through the Anthony Davis deal are both closing important contract years after failing to work out extensions with the Pelicans front office.

However, the club believe that both players will be a big part of their rotation this season. Will good play lead to more time in the Crescent City?

Two dribbles were all it took Lonzo Ball to zoom from half a square to the edge.

As a senior in college, Josh Hart led Villanova on the rebound despite being the Wildcats. seventh largest player.

The Pelicans made it clear the importance of Steven Adams’ new center to the team’s future by immediately imprisoning him for a two-year extension after buying him through the trade this off-season.

New Orleans now has a fatal one-two punch at Adams and Zion Williamson anchoring its forecourt, perfect for the « bully ball » style of play Stan Van Gundy seeks to establish.

There’s a switch that Steven Adams flips when he leaves the basketball court. Executive Vice President David Griffin hinted at it on Monday.

Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. . (2) plays Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, January. 22, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)

The Pelicans showed up with multiple picks in hand until the 2020 NBA Draft, but were left with only one rookie when all the trades were said and done. Point Guard Kira Lewis Jr. .

See below why the pelicans picked the lightning-fast Alabama highlight, and find out about five quick facts about it here.

With the 13. In Wednesday’s draft election, the New Orleans Pelicans went at speed. In the lottery, they took Kira Lewis Jr. . , lightning fast …

The 2020-21 New Orleans Pelicans season has come to an end, and it will be a busy Christmas season for basketball in New Orleans.

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Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA