The NBA Season is finally here – and we are treated this week to the traditional great start to the season schedule – each night this week, we get two Nationally Televised games. With the preseason over, rosters set, and teams ready to compete, we start the season with everybody even – but by week’s end we’ll have a good look at each team “playing for real”.
Below is an exciting match up for each day this coming week that you should check out:
Tuesday, October 27th – Pelicans at Warriors, 10:30pm ET on TNT
Reigning champions tend to under-perform on ring night, but the Warriors luck out with an ailing Pelicans team. Anthony Davis is everyone’s pick to be the “Best Player in the World” within the next 5 years, but The Pelicans have not stocked up around him, and this year they likely go as Davis goes. These two teams play twice in the first week, so we’ll get to quickly see how serious we should take the Pelicans and any Championship hangover from the Warriors.
Other great games tonight include Cavaliers at Bulls (8:00pm ET on TNT).
Wednesday, October 28th – Spurs at Thunder, 8:00pm on ESPN
The Spurs made the biggest splash in the offseason, signing both LeMarcus Aldridge (the best big man option) and David West (the best undervalued signing). The questions around the Spurs exist primarily around chemistry and the age of the core – Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Tim Duncan. For the Thunder, there is a point to prove. Missing the playoffs last year despite heroic effort night after night from Russell Westbrook, the Thunder have shown in the preseason that they are hungry, healthy, and deeper than in past years. Their big-man tandem of Adams and Kanter will be an interesting match-up with the Spurs vaunted Aldridge and Duncan – but with Westbrook and Durant on the floor it may not matter.
Other great games tonight include Cavaliers at Grizzlies (7:00pm ET on ESPN).
Thursday, October 29th – Mavericks at Clippers, 10:30pm ET on TNT
The summer’s biggest soap-opera moment came in the free-agency of DeAndre Jordan. Emojis, card games, and fried chicken resulted in Jordan staying in Los Angeles, spurning a verbal commitment to the Mavericks. Dallas, for what it’s worth has tried to re-arm but face an aging team leader and a logjam of middling point-guards. The Clippers, on the other hand, are coming off of a disastrous choke-job against the Rockets in the playoffs and have gone “all-in” to win this year. Their depth should be the difference against many teams, but it will be interesting to see how this team gels and if their talent can fit in their roles.
Friday, October 30th – Warriors at Rockets, 9:30pm ET on ESPN
In last year’s playoffs, this series was must-watch. Great shooters, great big men, and smart coaching adjustments abound, we saw the Rockets ultimately fall in a series where they were missing several of their top players. This year, things could be different – Harden is motivated by his MVP robbery, Clint Capella has looked like a strong option at center behind Dwight, and Ty Lawson is a dynamic point-guard option if he can stay on the court. The Warriors are the champs, but this is a tough battle right out of the gate.
Other great games tonight include Heat at Cavaliers (7:00pm ET on ESPN), Wizards at Bucks (8:00pm ET on NBALP), and Heat at Hawks (7:30pm ET on NBALP).
Saturday, October 31st – Warriors at Pelicans, 8:30pm ET on NBA TV
For the second time in a week, the Warriors face the Pelicans, this time in New Orleans. Coming off of what should be a fast-paced game in Houston the night before, it will be an interesting test for this Warriors team, who isn’t surprising anyone this year.
Other great games tonight include Kings at Clippers (10:30pm ET on NBATV).
Sunday, November 1st – Bucks at Raptors, 6:00pm ET on NBATV
The Bucks were everyone’s darling last year, but took a dip after a trade that brought Michael Carter-Williams to Milwaukee. In the offseason, they picked up Greg Monroe, giving them a great option at center to go with their young core. The Raptors run it back with a skinny Kyle Lowry and the loss of Amir Johnson to Boston. Both of these teams figure to be playoff teams in the East, but both also have the possibility of a regression from their highs of the last few years.
Other great games tonight include Rockets at Heat (6:00pm ET on NBALP).