The season will open Oct. 27, with the Cavaliers at the Bulls, followed by the Pelicans and defending champion Golden State Warriors, who will receive their championship rings before the game. Both games will broadcast on TNT. Detroit will also play Atlanta that night.
Other intriguing opening week games include Spurs at Thunder Oct. 28, and Mavericks at Clippers Oct. 29.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 looks like a date worth circling as the Mavericks host controversial almost-Mav DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers for the first time this season. In the second part of an ESPN doubleheader, LaMarcus Aldridge makes his return to Portland as a member of the Spurs.
Christmas Day highlights five nationally-broadcasted games: Pelicans at Heat (ESPN), Bulls at Thunder (ABC), and the Cavaliers at the Warriors (ABC) in an NBA Finals rematch. The night games are Spurs at Rockets (ESPN) and Lakers at Clippers (ESPN), to conclude the league's customary all-day showcase.
Martin Luther King Day will feature four nationally televised matchups: Pelicans at Grizzlies, Magic at Hawks, Warriors at Cavaliers and Rockets at Clippers.
As noted here, this year's schedule limits back-to-backs and 4-games-in-5-nights, in the interests of player health...I'd say that's overdue. And speaking of Yahoo! NBA's coverage, Marc Spears has also picked his top ten games to look out for,
