The NBA has released the schedule for the 2017-18 NBA season. The upcoming season can only be described as intriguing. The storylines that under current the league help to add a level of drama to some of the more marquee games. With no real NBA games being played, the offseason theatrics only add to the overall narrative of the season.
This season, the Kyrie Irving trade saga will most assuredly be the focus of the season. Now a member of the Cleveland Cavalier’s conference rival Boston Celtics, Irving will get to create a legacy out from LeBron James’ shadow.
The re-tooled Western Conference is a must-watch every night with the new stars that have invaded the competitive conference. The Golden State Warriors are still the class of the West, but that has only fueled teams’ zeal to challenge them.
Even with all that, the biggest games of the year will be the ones that feature the top NBA talent. Games that pit elite point guards against each other will bring eager eyes. The matchups between old faces and new places will be must-watch tv for the inquisitive fan. These are the top ten games to watch for next season, which you can keep up with on the best basketball app.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder @ Indiana Pacers
The Oklahoma City Thunder will visit the Indiana Pacers on December 13th. The game will mark the first meeting between Paul George and his former team since being traded last June. ESPN will broadcast the game at 7 P.M.
9. Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz
Gordon Hayward will get to face the Utah Jazz fans he spurned this offseason on March 28th. After deciding to leave the Jazz in the offseason, this will be the first chance the Jazz faithful will have to see Hayward since his departure. The home crowd will surely take the opportunity to let their former star know how they feel. You can watch on ESPN at 9:30 P.M.
8. Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Number two overall pick and Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball will make his NBA debut in a battle for Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Clippers. After an up and down Summer League performance that eventually landed him the MVP award, fans will finally get to see the phenom guard in real simulated action. The game will also feature the post-Chris Paul Clippers in their season opener. Lots to watch for in this matchup on TNT at 10: 30 P.M.
7. Houston Rockets @ New York Knicks
The Houston Rockets will visit Madison Square Garden to face off with the New York Knicks on November 1st. With the trade talks that have surrounded these two franchises, wherever Carmelo Anthony suits up come game time all eyes will be on this match. Aside from that, the sheer star power of this game makes this a must- see. Chris Paul, James Harden, Anthony, and Kristaps Porzingis all have the ability to turn this into a high-scoring affair. Tune in at 8 P.M. on ESPN.
6. New York Knicks @ Houston Rockets
The rematch will take place in Houston on November 25th. Twenty-four days later in the future, Houston will host Anthony and his Knicks, or they will cheer him on against Porzingis and the Knicks. Expect an enormous amount of media attention around both matchups. NBA TV will broadcast the game at 8 P.M.
5. Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The top two MVP candidates from last season both have new All-Star teammates to whom they can defer. Such an infusion of talent into an already contentious rivalry is every NBA fan’s dream. After playing an intense first round series last year, where the Rockets downed the Thunder in five games, this time around looks to be much more competitive. Harden, Westbrook, and Paul all rounded out the league’s assist leaders, so watch for an exciting offensive melee. ABC will broadcast the game at 8 P.M. on Christmas day.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors
The loss of Kyrie Irving will definitely dampen the drama of this game. However, the addition of Isaiah Thomas keeps the fireworks ablaze as he is a prolific scorer in his own right. There will be no shortage of extended scoring runs from either side. ABC will have the game on Christmas day at 3 P.M.
3. Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors
Last year produced one of the more entertaining games as the Rockets and Warriors battled in a memorable double-overtime game in December of 2016. Tagging along with Paul to Houston from LA is the history he shares with Golden State. Their storied past creates another level of drama to already fearsome Western Conference rivalry. Catch it on TNT at 10:30 P.M. on October 17th
2. Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant will once again make his return to Chesapeake Energy Arena after joining the Warriors. The Thunder have Paul George on the roster now, which is a step in the right direction if we want a competitive game. Thunder fans witnessed Durant win his first championship, and that has created even more of a distance between the two. Westbrook is fresh off an MVP season, so he will be looking to validate the award against his former teammate. You can watch the face off on ESPN at 8 P.M. on November 22nd
1. Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Opening night will see the Cleveland Cavaliers up against last year’s other Eastern Conference finalists, the Boston Celtics. Cleveland will host the Celtics, and former starting point guard turned rival, Kyrie Irving in a prime time matchup on TNT at 8 P.M. on October 27th. The sub plots that belie this game are interesting. After finally being traded since his trade request was made public, the former number one overall pick will face the team he helped lead to three straight NBA Finals. The Celtics added Hayward and Irving but lost key perimeter defenders Avery Bradley, and Jae Crowder. The team will have to function much differently than last year; they will have to take some time to coalesce. Stay updated on these games on the CBS Sports livescore app.
