Must-Watch Game on the Schedule for Each NBA Team in 2011-12 Season

It seems a little crazy to be talking about the best games of next season in the NBA with the league tied up in a lockout for the foreseeable future.

In fact, I should probably just go change the name of this column to "Great NBA Games We Won't Get to See."

Nonetheless, if there is at least a portion of a season at some point in the next year, then we can plan on seeing at least some of these games that I'll be talking about.

There are some obvious games out there that we are going to want to see. 

The classic Boston-Los Angeles and New York-Chicago games are always good ones, plus the NBA Finals rematch that will eventually happen—or Miami against any of the top teams in the league.

Of course, it is hard to say what games will be played and what games won't when the NBA does come back, but if there does end up being a season, I would assume that each team will end up playing each other at least once, so we will at least see each matchup once.

I'll pull out the most exciting game of the season for each team and tell you the likelihood that that game gets played when it is currently scheduled.

Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls, December 13th on ESPN

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 8/10

This particular game comes in what will be a crucial stretch for the Atlanta Hawks—if the season starts on time.

This is the third game of a stretch that includes a game at home against Miami and a visit to Boston, followed by games against the 76ers, Suns and Lakers.

They will be playing five playoff teams from last year in six games over the course of nine days.

If Atlanta can come out of this stretch 4-2 then they will look like a legitimate threat for the season.

Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, January 16th on TNT

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 6/10

For the first time since the trade that everyone in Boston criticized last year, Kendrick Perkins is returning to Boston.

First, I am interested to see if the fans at the TD Garden will cheer or boo him. If I wanted to put my money on it I would say they will be cheering him.

I would say that the Celtics are going to be extremely pumped to win this game, trying to prove to the rest of the league that they don't need Perkins. 

I would also expect a huge defensive game from Perkins.

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Portland Trail Blazers, November 21st

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9/10

There aren't many singular games that the Charlotte Bobcats have to look forward to this season, but there are a few on their schedule that they should be excited about.

Of course, whenever Miami comes to town they will get to boo the hell out of LeBron James and Chris Bosh (and Dwyane Wade by association), but it's easier to look forward to positive things than it is negative.

Because of that, Gerald Wallace's return to Charlotte as the best team ever to put on the blue and orange will be back in the building for the first time since being traded.

Expect roof-shattering cheers when this game does happen.

Chicago Bulls @ Dallas Mavericks, November 1st on TNT

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.9/10

The Chicago Bulls have championship aspirations this year.

There is no doubt about that. 

What better way to get on top as quickly as possible than to beat the defending champs on their home floor on opening day?

Unfortunately, it's going to take a borderline miracle for us to see any kind of basketball game on November 1st.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat, November 18th on TNT

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.5/10

This will be the first time that LeBron James returns to Cleveland since not winning a title, so expect big things here.

Another year of booing in Cleveland, but I also expect much more cheers for their own team, like they did in the second game against the Heat in Cleveland last year.

Also, expect some of the funniest signs imaginable in the stands.

Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat, March 29th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 2.5/10

Good news folks!

We're getting into games that could actually happen at this point, so there's something positive here.

Dallas playing Miami in Dallas is going to be an electrifying game, as the fans in Texas are going to be ruthless, but the trip to Miami is going to tell the most about the team.

Depending on their record at the time of this game, this could be a huge game for the Mavericks. 

It could be either a make-or-break game or the game that cements them as the favorites once again in the West.

Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks, November 16th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.6/10

This is the warm-up game for the LeBron James return trip to Cleveland—which comes two days later—but it's still nothing to be scoffed at.

Carmelo Anthony's first trip back to Denver is sure to be as hostile an environment as you could ask for on a Wednesday evening.

Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat, December 4th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 8/10

Realistically, this season is going to be painful for everyone involved with the Detroit Pistons. 

The fans are going to boo the team, the team is going to play with little desire and everyone is going to end up disappointed in April.

However, if there is one thing to look forward to, it is getting to boo the Miami Heat and taunt them for not winning the championship.

For some teams, there isn't much more to hope for this year.

Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets, December 30th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 7/10

There are very few things in basketball that I enjoy more than two teams with no legitimate superstars (you can make an argument for Monta Ellis, but I say he's not quite at the superstar level) who do nothing but score-battle for 48 minutes.

This is going to be a 128-124 game, without a doubt.

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks, March 10th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 3/10

Right now, the Houston Rockets are the red-headed stepchild of Texas basketball teams (and that's not a Chase Budinger joke).

When Dallas comes to Houston, the roof is going to blow off if the Rockets can put together one of their patented scrappy wins.

Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls, November 25th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9/10

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Eastern Conference by beating the Atlanta Hawks to get to the second round of the playoffs.

The Pacers did a fine job against the Chicago Bulls, although they only won one game against them, so they would be winning a lot of confidence if they were to avenge one of those four losses.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets, November 21st

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.2/10

There are definitely going to be more high-profile games on the schedule for the Clippers, and there are some that are going to be more competitive (although this may be a good game), but this one is special for a different reason.

The first highlight play that got Blake Griffin huge recognition was the dunk on Timofey Mozgov against the New York Knicks. 

If he is able to duplicate that face-melting dunk on Mozgov, I think I may just have to go into a few days of recovery.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, January 8th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 7/10

One of my favorite sub-plots in the NBA right now is the rapid improvement of Marc Gasol and the slight drop off by his brother Pau.

Marc has just recently come on as a dominant force down low and has yet to play the Lakers and his brother since his huge improvement. 

If Marc can put a beating on his brother, then the idea that the Grizzlies got hosed in the Gasol trade could start to fade away.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs, January 3rd

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 7/10

This one should be a no-brainer for all of you guys. 

Memphis beat San Antonio in the playoffs as an eight seed. San Antonio is getting old. All of the nice sub-plots are there.

The Grizzlies could prove that last season wasn't a fluke starting in January and make another run into the playoffs, hopefully getting a better seed.

Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks, March 29th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 2.5/10

The Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks meeting in Miami will be the biggest game of the season that doesn't involve massive amounts of hatred (although there is still some there).

Miami could slightly avenge their NBA Finals loss with a victory, but it could be a crippling loss if the coin flip lands on the other side.

Milwaukee Bucks @ New Jersey, November 7th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.7/10

The biggest question about the Milwaukee Bucks this season is whether or not Brandon Jennings can return to the form that he was in during his rookie season.

Jennings shot terribly a season ago and was a big disappointment altogether, so his first challenge against a top-tier point guard will be very interesting, potentially revealing to the team what to expect for the rest of the season from Jennings.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ New York Knicks, December 12th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 8/10

The biggest story with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season is going to be the arrival of Ricky Rubio, giving them the point guard they've been waiting two years for.

Rubio wanted to play in New York to get the most media exposure possible, but he finally decided to sign a deal with Minnesota.

This game could get an extra angle if Larry Brown—the Knicks former coach—ends up signing with the Timberwolves.

New Jersey Nets @ New Orleans Hornets, November 18th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.5/10

This is going to be the game to keep an eye on if you have NBA TV, when the Cavs-Heat game turns into a blowout (in favor of the Cavaliers of course).

My favorite one-on-one matchup of the year—besides Kobe vs. Ginobili (for some reason I love this matchup)—is Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul.

New Orleans Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, March 14th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 3/10

The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets had a very exciting playoff series.

I would have enjoyed seeing one more of those games last season.

Giving the Hornets home court here and having the Lakers come into a hostile environment should make for yet another interesting game.

New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets, February 17th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 5/10

The New York Knicks want a star point guard more than anything in the world right now. 

Sure, they would like to have Dwight Howard, but it feels like a point guard is at the top of their list.

Remember back in 2010, when LeBron and the Cavaliers came to New York before LeBron's now-infamous free agency? 

That is the kind of circus you can expect when Chris Paul comes to New York for the first time this season in February.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies, January 10th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 7/10

Remember those two overtime games in Memphis with the Thunder in the playoffs last season? 

Wouldn't you like to see a game like that again?

Me too.

Mark your calendars if the season does end up starting at a reasonable date, because this one looks to be another barn-burner in the making.

Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers, February 3rd

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 6/10

My favorite games of the 2010 season were when a team like New York or Chicago came to Cleveland and the city absolutely went nuts trying to convince LeBron James that he was in the best possible place to play basketball.

The crowd's intensity level was unmatched in any regular season game, and the people in Orlando should be the same way when the Lakers come to Orlando.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards, January 13th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 7/10

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards are two of the most exciting young teams in the NBA for very different reasons, but they consistently play good games.

Two of their four games last season were overtime thrillers, both in favor of the Wizards (116-115 and 116-114), so I am intrigued to see how they play each other this season.

Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks, November 20th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.3/10

If you like high-scoring games, be sure to tune in to see what happens when the Suns and Knicks clash in Phoenix.

The Suns won't have to travel against time zones, so there should be no problem with jet lag, and when these two high-powered offenses clash it's always good to have everyone fresh, as they could square off in a 123-122 game in any matchup.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks, April 13th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 1.5/10

This is going to be a huge game, ladies and gentlemen, with Western Conference playoff implications dripping from its pores.

It will be a grudge match for the Portland fans, as it is the first time the Mavericks will be in Portland since their playoff series this year.

Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz, November 23rd

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9.1/10

Look out Utah, Jimmer is coming back to town!

The fans at BYU cheered on Jimmer Fredette for four years, most vociferously in this past season, and they don't yet seem ready to be cured of their Jimmer-mania.

When Sacramento goes to Utah they are going to be entering the closest thing a basketball team can come to feeling like they are on stage at a Jonas Brothers concert.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers, April 11th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 1.5/10

This game could be one of two things for the San Antonio Spurs. 

They could be looking to establish themselves for a run at a final title with their current setup, or it could be the death rattle of an era and be their last gasp of life.

Everyone proclaimed the Tim Duncan Era over after they lost to the Grizzlies in the playoffs, but I'm not buying into it until they show they can't compete anymore.

Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat, November 25th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 9/10

I would say that this is the last season that the people of Toronto are going to actively look forward to booing Chris Bosh. 

Sure, they will still boo him down the road, but they won't really think about it until a few days before the game comes up.

So get the jeers and the ring-less chants ready, Toronto.

Make this one your last hurrah.

Utah Jazz vs. New Jersey Nets, January 14th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 7/10

The final "return game" of the year will be played when Deron Williams comes to Utah for the first time since being traded.

Williams didn't exactly ask to be traded, and him letting it be known that he wanted to leave at the end of his contract was wonderful for Utah and their ability to get something out of him, so it will be interesting to see the crowd reaction.

Washington Wizards @ Los Angeles Clippers, February 15th

Likelihood Game Will Be Canceled: 5/10

This game should look like an all-star game without all of the fancy names running around the court. 

Light on defense, heavy on alley-oops and rim-rattling dunks.

I'm prematurely setting the over/under for alley-oops in this game at 5.5 and am strongly leaning toward taking the over on that one.

Enjoy what I scribble about?  Follow me on Twitter @JDorsey33.

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