The 2014-2015 NBA regular season tips off October 28 at 8 pm Eastern time. There are many intriguing matchups, but here are the top ten must see games of the upcoming season.
10. Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers, January 29, 10:30 pm ET, TNT – This will be Pau Gasol’s return to Los Angeles, where he will most certainly receive a heart-warming welcome. There will more than likely be a video tribute ready for Pau that night. Carlos Boozer will also play against his former teammates. As for the game itself, two superstars, Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose, who missed almost the entire year last season, will go head-to-head.
9. Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs, October 28, 8 pm ET, TNT – This will be the opening game of the 2014-15 NBA season. The defending champs will raise their banner prior to the game and will receive their championship rings. Afterward, they will clash against the rejuvenated Dallas Mavericks, who have added much more talent to their roster this summer. The Texas rivalry will heat up in this one, especially against the two legendary power forwards, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan. The Mavericks were the only team to push the Spurs to seven games last playoffs, which may also play a factor in this game.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, December 25, 2:30 pm ET, TNT – This Christmas day matchup will be an entertaining one to view. It will be a rematch of the Western Conference finals with two excellent point guards, Russell Westbrook and Tony Parker, going at it. What’s more, the 2014 NBA finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, will be going head-to-head with the regular season MVP, Kevin Durant. Let us not forget the battle between the big men, Serge Ibaka and Tim Duncan. The defending champion, Spurs, will certainly have their hands full when the Thunder come to town for this major holiday game.
7. Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, October 28, 10:30 pm ET, TNT – This opening night game will be headlined by Kobe Bryant’s return to the basketball court, and Dwight Howard’s return to Los Angeles. Howard did not receive a warm welcome last time he was in L.A. It will be amusing to see the reactions from the Laker fans once again on the night their superstar Kobe will return from a knee injury that cost him 57 games last season. On top of everything, it’s the first game of the season for both these teams, so emotions will be riding high.
6. San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers, November 19, 7 pm ET, ESPN – The Cleveland Cavaliers were not the ones in the finals against the San Antonio Spurs last season, but LeBron James was. This is going to be a battle of two heavyweights from each conference. The all-time greatest power forward, Tim Duncan, against the best power forward today, Kevin Love. Additionally, we will see a point guard clash between Kyrie Irving and Tony Parker. Kawhi Leonard will be matched up against LeBron James; Kawhi did an excellent job against LeBron during the Finals in June. Many are projecting these two teams to make it to the NBA Finals, so there will be statements made in this terrific matchup.
5. Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets, November 22, 8 pm ET – How dare the NBA not televise this game on national TV. Chandler Parsons return back to Houston is going to be fascinating after the comments James Harden made, saying that the Rockets are his and Dwight Howard’s team while the other players are just role players. The Dallas Mavericks have really upped their level of talent this off-season, so this should be a highly contested match. With the comments that Harden made, Chandler Parsons may take it personally and defend Harden for the entire night. It will undoubtedly be fun to look the two go at it.
4. Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers, December 25, 10:30 pm ET, TNT – The two teams who met in the first-round of the playoffs that went to seven games will get their rematch on Christmas night. The rivalry between the two teams keeps on heating up season after season. Both teams have bad blood towards each other and will absolutely continue to beat each other up on the basketball court on this night. The physicality of this game will be at a high level. The trash talking will be louder than ever. Plus, let’s not forget the offensive clinic that we should see from both sides, and the point guard matchup of Chris Paul and Stephen Curry.
3. Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks, October 29, 8 pm ET, ESPN – The return of Derrick Rose is definitely going to be a must look. Rose has played a total of 49 games in the past two seasons. He has been explosive during Team USA practices, making his return much anticipated. Everyone is going to be interested to see if Rose can play at a high level on the NBA floor in one of the most well-known NBA buildings, the Madison Square Garden. On another note, we get to see the newer, slimmer Carmelo Anthony as he has lost plenty of weight this off-season.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat, December 25, 5 pm ET, ABC – Merry Christmas Miami! The return of their once beloved King to South Beach will be an extremely captivating one. LeBron James brought two championships to Miami. Therefore, firstly, it would be interesting to see how the fans will greet him. Will it be a heart-warming welcome or a cold, unappreciated one? Nevertheless, it’s going to be exciting from start to finish. The Heat bounced back well after losing LeBron by adding great amount of talent to surround Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade this summer. Thus, the Heat will put up a good fight, and James will probably have something special in store for the Heat fans in his return.
1. New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, October 30, 8 pm ET, TNT – The whole world will be looking this game, whether a person is a LeBron hater or a LeBron worshipper. Everyone is going to want to witness (no pun intended) LeBron’s first game back home in Cleveland. It will also be Kevin Love’s debut as a Cavalier. Moreover, it will be a matchup between marquee small forwards, James and Carmelo Anthony, both of whom lost a lot of weight this off-season. The forgiving Cleveland crowd will surely be energized and ready to welcome their King back home. All eyes are going to be on this highly anticipated contest.
Other notable games:
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, October 31, 8 pm ET, TNT – A game between the two heavyweights of the Eastern Conference and possible Eastern Conference finals matchup.
Washington Wizards at Portland Trail Blazers, January 24, 10 pm ET, NBATV – John Wall versus Damian Lillard. Enough said.
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets, December 22, 8 pm ET – This was probably one of the most entertaining first-round series from last season’s playoffs, including a series clinching game-winner by Damian Lillard. Will be a fun rematch.
Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder, November 7, 8 pm ET, ESPN – Another first-round matchup that was intense and physical and will be a great rematch.