With summer on its way out, temperatures are finally dropping, people are throwing out their white pants, and the NBA preseason is about to begin. Starting October 3rd, NBA teams will face off against each other and a number of international teams, giving fans a taste of what’s to come before the NBA regular season begins on October 27th.
The preseason is a fantastic chance to see teams test out their fresh new talent, and it doesn’t hurt that NBA tickets for preseason games tend to skew significantly cheaper than their regular season counterparts. Here are four of the best NBA preseason matchups, all under $20 at Rukkus.
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans, Bankers Life Stadium
On Saturday, October 3rd, All NBA player Anthony Davis and the Pelicans go to Indiana to take on Paul George and the Pacers. Davis is looking to solidify himself as one of the top NBA players this year, and fans are anxiously awaiting Paul George as he returns for his first full season.
George, who came back at the end of last year, was limited in action after a horrific injury during a Team USA scrimmage that sidelined him for the majority of last year’s season. You don’t want to miss Tickets for this matchup at Bankers Life Stadium start at just $8, but courtside Pacers tickets are selling for only $145.
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers, STAPLES Center
Western Conference rivals collide in this matchup on October 20th. The reigning NBA Finals Champs look to show their dominance as the best team in California as well as their superiority over the Clippers who seem to never win it when it counts and move on into the NBA Finals. Warriors vs. Clippers tickets start at $16, and you can find yourself an amazing view in Section 111 for only $144.
International Games
Earlier this month, the NBA announced that three international basketball teams from Turkey, Israel and Brazil will travel to the U.S. to square off against NBA teams during the preseason. The most notable among six matchups will feature Turkish League champion team Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul against the Brooklyn Nets on October 5 before challenging the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 9.
The Turkish team is by all accounts phenomenal, and has contributed some half dozen players to the NBA in the past decade, including 2011 1st round pick Enes Kanter and current Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanović. Kanter now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, giving the teams’ matchups against Fenerbahce Ulker some emotional heft.
If you’re looking for some solid international ball, and if you’re interested in scouting out future NBA players, these are your best bet. Fenerbahce vs Brooklyn Nets tickets start at $7, while Fenerbahce vs. Oklahoma City Thunder tickets start at the fantastic price of $5.