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NBA Rumors: Houston's in the Mix as a Potential Bubble City

While Las Vegas and Orlando seem like the logical spots to become the NBA's bubble city, recent rumors indicated that Houston could be in the mix as well.

Justin Grasso

Over the last couple of months, the NBA has been looking into a 'bubble city.' As the coronavirus doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, it makes sense for the league to keep every NBA team in one or two cities playing on the same neutral court in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

At first, Las Vegas seemed to be the most logical landing spot because of the resources and the familiarity the NBA has there. Then, Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando popped up as a potential destination as well. For the last few weeks, it seemed those two cities could host East and West teams, but the city of Houston is reportedly in the mix, according to a report from The Ringer. 

"Disney World in Orlando and MGM Grand in Las Vegas are the most likely possibilities," writes Kevin O'Connor. "Other locations are also under consideration, including Houston, multiple sources say. In downtown Houston, Toyota Center, the Rockets' home arena, neighbors the George R. Brown Convention Center; combined, they have the facilities necessary to serve as a neutral site to host games."

In addition to Vegas, Orlando, and Houston, the NBA hasn't ruled out teams playing in their own arenas just yet either. As governors in Texas, California, and New York plan to permit sports leagues to have games without fans in attendance, the NBA has left the door open for the possibility of teams hosting games in their respective cities once again, per O'Connor. However, the chances of doing that seem slim at this point.

Based on information gathered from the last few weeks or so, it seems the NBA is likely headed towards a situation where two cities host each conference where players stay until their season concludes. It might not be ideal, but it seems to be the safest and most logical scenario to return to action this year.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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