A total of 1,230 regular-season games will be played between October and April, but some already stand out more than others.
Here are the ones to plan your life around:
Oct. 27: Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls
The season kicks off in Chicago with the Bulls hosting LeBron James
and the Cavs in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference
semifinals. We know the Cavs are going to be good again, but what about
the Bulls? With new coach Fred Hoiberg, will they contend again? And,
most importantly, which Derrick Rose will we see?
Oct. 27: New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors
The champs will receive their rings and raise a banner, but this game also marks our first glimpse at Anthony Davis
under the tutelage of Alvin Gentry, a Warriors assistant last season.
Just how much better will Davis be? How different will he and the
Pelicans be playing under Gentry? We'll get a good idea in what promises
to be an electric opening-night atmosphere.
Oct. 28: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
So this one has some storylines. Let's count them: (1) Kevin Durant's (likely) first game back since playing only 27 last season, (2) LaMarcus Aldridge's
debut with the Spurs, (3) Billy Donovan's debut as Thunder coach, (4)
the Thunder's first home game in the most important season in the
Oklahoma City era, (5) an early measuring-stick game between two prime
Western Conference contenders, (6) Durant versus Kawhi Leonard and (7) Russell Westbrook versus the world.
Oct. 28: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant
is back. And this could be the first game of his final NBA season. The
Lakers should be better this season, assuming good health, and the
Timberwolves have one of the best young cores in basketball. This one
also pits the top two picks in the draft, Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell, against each other.
Oct. 29: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers
The first " DeAndre Jordan
game" happens in the comfort of Staples Center. Even with 20,000
Clippers fans filling the building, there's a good chance you'll be able
to hear Mark Cuban yelling at Jordan.
Oct. 29: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks
It's Kristaps Porzingis' home debut. Knicks fans aren't going to boo him again, right! Right?
Oct. 30: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
The Western Conference finals rematch. It didn't go well for the Rockets
the last time, but here's an early-season chance to wash some of that
bitter taste from their mouths.
Nov. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets
Did you know: Since "The Incident" in the 2013 playoffs, Westbrook and Patrick Beverley
have played against each other only twice. So there's probably plenty
of pent-up Westbrook rage ready to be let out. There's also the "Harden
returns" angle, but ... Did you know, Part 2: Harden now has been with
the Rockets longer than he was with the Thunder (he played 220 games
with OKC, and is at 232 with the Rockets).
Nov. 4: Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors
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