The NBA season is just two months away and will begin with the 2015 Eastern and Western Conference Champions taking to the hardwood in two playoff rematches on October 27. Here is a look at ten games throughout the NBA regular season to mark on your calendars.
October 28
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
On the second day of the NBA regular season, Jahlil Okafor makes his NBA debut as the 76ers visit the Celtics. While the 76ers continue to develop, the Celtics are coming off of a playoff year and are moving forward with an improved roster. Will Okafor live up to the hype? WIll the Sixers finally have their big man?
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Later that night the top two draft picks go head to head as D'Angelo Russell and the Lakers host Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves. With the Wolves making several roster upgrades this offseason, will they be able to make some noise in a tough Western Conference? How will Russell play alongside Kobe Bryant?
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
LaMarcus Aldridge makes his Spurs debut in what could shape up to be a bout between two Western Conference heavyweights. Billy Donovan makes his NBA coaching debut with the Thunder, who hope to have a healthy Kevin Durant for the 2015-2016 season. How will Durant and Russell Westbrook coexist after Westbrook's second half surge almost landed him an MVP last season? Will Donovan be the right fit that brings the Thunder back into contention? Can Aldridge lead the way for an aging Spurs team that could reclaim the throne as the top dog in the West?
November 7
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers
In a rematch of last year's Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers play host to the Rockets. Both teams made a splash in the offseason, including bringing in several headcase-type players. Lance Stephenson will be playing alongside Chris Paul and newly re-signed Clippers center, DeAndre Jordan, as well as former-Rocket, Josh Smith. The Rockets, meanwhile, traded for former Nuggets point guard, Ty Lawson. Will Lawson maintain the starting job over Patrick Beverley into November? Will the Rockets still have the upper hand? Will Doc Rivers have any trouble keeping his roster tame?
November 11
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
In what will be LaMarcus Aldridge's "homecoming," the Spurs visit the Blazers in a battle of two 2014-2015 Western Conference playoff teams. Both teams had early exits last postseason, but had drastically different offseasons. Aldridge was one of four starters to leave Portland for another team this summer. He, of course, chose to return to his home state and join the Spurs, who had the most impressive offseason of any team. David West will play a key role in search of his first NBA Finals appearance, while Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili return to continue their dominance with Gregg Popovich.
November 20
Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets
Two rookies square off for the first time since the National Championship when Jahlil Okafor's Duke Blue Devils defeated Frank Kaminsky's Wisconsin Badgers. How will each rookie perform on the NBA level? Will Kaminsky slide into the Hornets' starting lineup alongside Al Jefferson? Will that post duo top that of Okafor and Nerlens Noel?
November 27
Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings
Another battle between rookie bigmen, this contest features two John Calipari products. Both top-ten draft picks in 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein have received a lot of hype preceding the 2015-2016 season. Towns is the new face of the Timberwolves and the first overall draft pick generated the most rumblings prior to and after draft. As for Cauley-Stein, the seven-footer was overshadowed by his fellow Wildcat and was selected sixth overall by the Kings. He now joins fellow former Wildcats DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo, who signed as a free agent this summer. Which Wildcat will come out victorious in November? Will the trio be triumphant or will it be the number one overall pick?
December 23
Dallas Mavericks at Brooklyn Nets
Two teams who lost several key players this offseason will face off in a pre-Christmas joust. The Mavericks replaced Tyson Chandler with JaVale McGee and Zaza Pachulia while also adding Wesley Matthews. But the headline of the game between the Mavericks and the Nets is the return of Deron Williams, who was acquired via waivers after Rajon Rondo signed with the Kings as a free agent. Meanwhile, the Nets will have moved on to life without Williams. Several re-signees in Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young will ease the transition while new players such as Andrea Bargnani and 2015 23rd overall draft pick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, will make Brooklyn their home.
December 25
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder
One of five Christmas Day games, the Bulls and Thunder will take to the hardwood mid-day in a battle of rookie head coaches. Fred Hoiberg, formerly of Iowa State, will lead the Bulls’ charge while former Florida head coach Billy Donovan will roll the Thunder. Both Hoiberg and Donovan have inherited strong NBA rosters, but which will have his players’ healthy Christmastime?
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
In a highly anticipated rematch of the 2015 NBA Finals, LeBron James and the Cavs visit the Bay Area to take on 2015 MVP, Stephen Curry, and the Warriors. How much will these two teams have changed from a year ago? Both have very similar rosters to last season, making this game a reason to put down your Christmas presents.