The 2012-2013 NBA season culminated with the Miami Heat winning a second-straight NBA Championship and with each team in the league looking to stake their claims as a worthy opponent, the league announced the releasing of the 2013-2014 schedule, allowing each team to make preparations heading into the year.
NBA fans will certainly be interested in the 5 premier games the league has scheduled for Christmas Day.
RELATED: Dwyane Wade And His Sons Wear Hoodies On Cover Of Ebony Magazine To Honor Trayvon Martin
Not only will the defending champions take on Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers that day, the New York Knicks will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn faces Chicago, Houston takes on San Antonio and the L.A. Clippers battle Golden State as well.
The Christmas Day showdowns for the Knicks and Bulls will be one of a league-high 33 nationally televised games each team will play this upcoming season.
Notable Games
On February 19, Dwight Howard returns to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. Howard spent last season with the team and despite helping the club reach the postseason, the NBA's top big man elected to sign with the Houston Rockets this offseason.
The move for head coach Kevin McHale and the Rockets should move them up the Western Conference standings this season and you can be sure the showdown in February will bring in loads of viewers at the Staples Center and on television.
RELATED: MLB Suspensions List 2013: Nelson Cruz And Jhonny Peralta Out For Season; Will Alex Rodriguez Play Again? [FULL LIST]
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will also return to their former stomping grounds this season when the Brooklyn Nets meet the Boston Celtics on January 26.
Garnett and Pierce were recently traded to the Nets after tremendous runs in Boston that saw the team with the 2008 NBA Championship. Pierce spent 15 seasons in Boston with Garnett joining the team in 2007, so the return game will certainly be a special moment for the still-productive duo.
A rematch of last year's NBA Finals will take place in Miami on January 26 as the Heat welcome back Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.
LeBron James and company were able to take down the four-time champions after a grueling series last year and with the Heat certainly capable of claiming a three-peat, the test in January at American Airlines Arena should indicate whether or not the aging Spurs are capable of competing with the top teams in the league once again.
RELATED: MLB Suspensions List 2013: Nelson Cruz And Jhonny Peralta Out For Season; Will Alex Rodriguez Play Again? [FULL LIST]
Complete Schedule
For a complete look at the 2013-2014 NBA season, follow this link.
The season kicks off on Tuesday, October 29 with a trio of games featuring the Orlando Magic taking on the Indiana Pacers while the Bulls take on the Heat and the Clippers meet the rival Lakers.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
