The new NBA schedule is out, and you will want to circle a few dates on your calendar.
Start with these 10.
We will only highlight nationally televised games – unless otherwise noted – and we will not include any games after the trade deadline because the national TV schedule will be reconfigured so many times in March and April, it will set some sort of league record.
Opening Night, Oct. 28
Dallas at San Antonio; Houston at L.A. Lakers: Gregg Popovich will not have reason to rest anyone. You know how many times each season you get to say that? Once. Mark Cuban’s team, which took the Spurs to seven games in the first round last season, is currently listed at 40-1 to win the title. It was 50-1 a week ago. As for the nightcap, the Lakers are relevant again! OK, only if it’s for one night. Trevor Ariza guards Kobe. Robert Sacre defends Dwight Howard.
Opening Night II, Oct. 29
Chicago at New York; Oklahoma City at Portland: Carmelo Anthony vs. the league’s best defense. Derrick Rose vs. Jose Calderon – is it a rematch for those two of the World Cup gold medal game? In the nightcap, Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge share a pre-game chat and compare notes on how Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski reacted to their respective Team USA withdrawals, one of which was acceptable and one of which was not.
Opening Night III, Oct. 30
New York at Cleveland; Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers: I would imagine there will be some talcum powder being flung toward the rafters once again. This will be one of the most emotional nights in Cleveland sports history. In the nightcap, Steve Ballmer sits courtside, and his waiter/waitress complains about the size of the tip — no matter what. Will Donald and Shelly share a sofa somewhere to watch on TV?
Wednesday, November 5
L.A. Clippers at Golden State: This is an ESPN game, so chances are that Mark Jackson will be calling it on television. It’ll be his first test of the second stage of his broadcasting career. Will he give real insight into why these teams dislike each other so much, forming what is currently the NBA’s best recent rivalry? We should expect no less.
Friday, November 21
Cleveland at Washington: The two teams that will be competing with Chicago for the best record in the East play a test match. Right now, the Cavs are even money and the Bulls are 3-1 to win the East. The Wizards are the smartest play at 15-1, if you are so inclined. They’re going to be so good, President Obama might actually show up.
Wednesday, December 17
Brooklyn at Toronto: Entire ESPN telecast is muted as Raptors fans revisit their famous “Fuck Brooklyn” chant from last season’s playoffs. GM Masai Ujiri declines to join in this time. But Drake? He might have it printed on his T-shirt, presenting a whole new challenge to ESPN’s censors.
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas)
Washington at New York; Oklahoma City at San Antonio; Cleveland at Miami; L.A. Lakers at Chicago; Golden State at L.A. Clippers.
Game 1: After a decade and a half, Ernie Grunfeld finally makes a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden; Game 2: Kevin Durant demonstrates why Kawhi Leonard is not quite a max player; Game 3: Super early start confounds Miami fans even more than usual. Arena two-thirds empty at tipoff for LeBron return. Dan LeBetard tries and fails again to be a shit-stirrer who anyone cares about; Game 4: Vintage Kobe. Count on it. Game 5: Worth the wait – just as it was a year ago.
Wednesday, January 7
Houston at Cleveland: Lee Jenkins makes his on-camera debut for ESPN, and LeBron James suddenly pretends he does not exist. This becomes what is widely known in the business as getting Windhorsted.
Saturday, January 31
Cleveland at Minnesota (League Pass only): Kevin Love makes his return to the arena where he toiled for six straight seasons without ever sniffing the playoffs. All throughout the game, he whispers “Jonny Flynn” into the ear of Ricky Rubio. And as for the part about Andrew Wiggins being an excellent defender? Yeah, I imagine LeBron James will put that to the test.
Thursday, February 19
Dallas at Oklahoma City; San Antonio at L.A. Clippers: The night of the trade deadline, and all anyone wants to talk about is Rajon Rondo and his new team.
Chris Sheridan is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.