NBA season tips off with anticipated doubleheader tonight on TSN

The 2022-23 NBA season tips off Tuesday night on TSN and features a pair of enticing matchups to begin the new year.

Up first are the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics from TD Garden, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers travelling to Golden State to take on the Warriors, who will receive their rings after winning last season’s title.

Watch the first game LIVE on TSN1/4 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT followed by the second half of the doubleheader at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Games can also be streamed on TSN.ca and the TSN App.

As anticipation builds toward opening night, here is a look at each matchup.

Last season in Philadelphia began with drama as a summer trade request from Ben Simmons turned into a holdout, a salary dispute, and eventually a trade to the Nets centred on James Harden, whose welcome had worn out quickly in Brooklyn.

Things started out well with the new-look Sixers, winning five of their first six with Harden in the lineup and going 15-8 overall after his debut to begin the playoffs as the fourth seed in the East.

The 76ers took care of the Toronto Raptors in the opening round but lost MVP runner-up Joel Embiid to a facial fracture in the clincher, forcing him to miss the first two games of the conference semis against the Miami Heat. While the Sixers got Embiid back later in the series, they fell behind 2-0 and couldn’t catch up, losing in six games. Harden struggled mightily, averaging 18.2 points on 40.5 per cent shooting for the six games, both well below his season and career averages.

But Harden said he’s approaching this year with a clean slate and even left up to $14 million on the table in the off-season to help Philly add more pieces.

“I feel like this is my first year [in Philadelphia],” Harden