The 2013-2014 NBA season gets underway with a three-game slate that will surely help ring in the highly anticipated season. While much of the early attention this season will focus on the Miami Heat's quest for a third-straight championship, Dwight Howard's acclimation to his new home in Houston, Derrick Rose's return to the court in Chicago and whether or not the Clippers will surpass the Lakers as the premier team in Los Angeles, fans across the globe can just sit back and relax for an opening evening that features some of the game's best talent.
Orlando will officially open the season with a contest against the talented Indiana Pacers at 7pm, ET on Tuesday, October 29 with the Miami Heat hosting Derrick Rose and the Bulls at 8pm, ET. The triple-slate of Tuesday night openers concludes with the battle of Los Angeles between the Clippers and Lakers. Tip time for that showdown is set for 10:30pm, ET. Though each of these games offers unique points of interest, the game expected to dominate the NBA spectrum is the showdown between LeBron James' Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, who will enjoy the return of star guard Derrick Rose.
Rose missed the 2012-2013 regular season while recovering from an ACL injury suffered in the postseason the year before. Despite not having one of the premier guards and top overall talents in the league, the Bulls were still able to make the Eastern Conference Playoffs, even taking down the Brooklyn Nets in the opening round before falling to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
With Chicago rightfully holding high expectations for the upcoming season, the Miami Heat plan to continue their recent league dominance as they go for the franchises third-straight title and fourth in nine seasons.
"We did some special things last year and this is an opportunity for us to look back at it one more time, but I definitely won't lose sight of what's in front of me," LeBron James said of the pregame ceremony the Heat will enjoy prior to the opening night tip against the Bulls.
A four-time league MVP and the top talent in the game, James is also excited about attempting to become the first three-peat champion since the L.A. Lakers of 2000-02.
"It would mean everything, man," James said. "First of all, it means that I'm doing my part and I'm helping our team get better. It would mean everything to our team. That's what we're here for. We work our tails off every day. If it can pay off with another Finals appearance, we'd represent the Eastern Conference the best way we can."
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Tuesday, October 29
TIME: 8:00pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: TNT
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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