NBA unveils 2014-15 regular season schedule
The NBA released its 2014-15 regular season schedule on Wednesday with a number of key matchups slated for Opening Day, Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Day.
Oct. 28 - Opening Day
| Away | Home | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Magic | Pelicans | 8:00 p.m. |
| Mavericks | Spurs | 8:00 p.m. |
| Rockets | Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
The San Antonio Spurs will hold their championship ring ceremony before tipping off against Dirk Nowitzki and the new-look Dallas Mavericks. Tim Duncan and head coach Gregg Popovich enter the new season in search of a sixth title together.
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day
| Away | Home | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Wizards | Knicks | 12:00 p.m. |
| Thunder | Spurs | 2:30 p.m. |
| Cavaliers | Heat | 5:00 p.m. |
| Lakers | Bulls | 8:00 p.m. |
| Warriors | Clippers | 10:30 p.m. |
LeBron James returns to South Beach as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers to battle former championship teammates Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. For James and the Cavaliers, toppling the Heat would be a measuring stick for championship contention. Wade and Bosh, on the other hand, will be looking to prove that the Heat's 2012 and 2013 titles were not won on James' efforts alone.
Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Day
| Away | Home | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Timberwolves | Hornets | 2:00 p.m. |
| 76ers | Wizards | 2:00 p.m. |
| Pistons | Hawks | 2:30 p.m. |
| Celtics | Clippers | 3:30 p.m. |
| Nuggets | Warriors | 4:00 p.m. |
| Mavericks | Grizzlies | 5:00 p.m. |
| Pacers | Rockets | 5:30 p.m. |
| Raptors | Bucks | 8:00 p.m. |
| Bulls | Cavaliers | 8:00 p.m. |
| Kings | Blazers | 10:00 p.m. |
| Lakers | Suns | 10:30 p.m. |
Cleveland hosts Chicago in a matchup between two Eastern Conference juggernauts. The game should boast plenty of star power - Derrick Rose vs. Kyrie Irving, Joakim Noah vs. Kevin Love and Pau Gasol vs. James - with the Bulls and Cavaliers widely pegged as the favorites to finish atop the East.
Other Notables
- Oct. 30 - Cavaliers open season vs. New York Knicks
- Toronto Raptors will have four national TV appearances
- Spurs' annual "Rodeo" trip will span nine away games across February and March
- Warriors will play only one home game between Feb. 4 and Mar. 4
- Clippers' "Grammy" trip will span eight away games between January and February
- ESPN and ABC will televise 90 games
- TNT will televise 53 games
- National TV appearances by team