There are a lot of interesting things in the just released NBA schedule. The Spurs have two long road trips, not just the one “rodeo trip.” The Lakers “Grammys trip” includes games against Boston and closes in Miami. And the list goes on and on.
But after combing threw it for a few hours, here are the 10 days and games you should circle on the calendar. Or set the DVR for. Note, there are no Bulls games, but if you are psychic and know the date of Derrick Rose’s return add that as a bonus.
Oct. 30, Celtics at Heat:
One of the NBA’s better rivalries right now. They went seven games in the Eastern Conference finals and then both teams made moves to get better in the offseason — including Ray Allen taking less money to go to Miami over staying in Boston. The Celtics should be seething by the time they see the banner and the rings Miami has.
Nov. 1, Knicks at Nets:
The Nets requested the league give them the Knicks to open the new Barclay Center in Brooklyn, and once again what Jay-Z wants Jay-Z gets. This should be a monster, start-studded affair. And with two teams that will put a lot of points on the board the game should be entertaining, too.
Nov. 2, Nuggets at Magic:
How much you want to watch this game depends on one thing — do the Magic trade Dwight Howard before the start of the season? If the answer is no this is their home opener and you can bet the usually laid-back fans of Orlando will boo Howard lustily.
Dec. 17, Rockets at Knicks:
This is simple — Jeremy Lin returns to New York. If Lin puts up big numbers and outplays Raymond Felton, the tabloids are going to have fodder for weeks.
Dec. 25, Thunder at Heat:
While it ended in five games, this was a hard-fought finals last year (four of the games were very close). Both of the teams got a little better in the off-season, and we may have another NBA finals preview on our hands.
Jan. 17, Heat at Lakers:
Or, this could be a finals preview. The Lakers need more outside shooting and we’ll have to see how Mike Brown blends some diverse offensive talents, but the Lakers are back in the conversation. Plus, LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant.
Jan. 27, Heat at Celtics:
Ray Allen returns to Boston. He will receive a hero’s welcome… or, something like that. There will be salutes, we just don’t know how many fingers will be involved.
Jan. 30, Lakers at Suns:
Steve Nash returns to Phoenix. Nash handled his departure from Phoenix about as well and professionally as he could and Suns fans forgave him… until he chose to go to the Lakers. It will be interesting to see the fan’s reactions.
Feb. 7, Lakers at Celtics:
Always a classic. Still the NBA’s best rivalry.
March 13, Knicks at Denver:
Carmelo Anthony returns to Denver. Seriously, he has never been back to Denver as a Knick. Not in the second half of the season he was traded, not in the lockout shortened season, and now not for the first four months of this coming season. My guess is the people in Denver have not forgotten him and how that relationship ended.
