2012 NBA Schedule Release: TV Info, Start Time, Date and More for Full Release
The NBA schedule release is one of the most anticipated events late in the offseason. It’s a time for fans to get excited and identify marquee matchups that they must find a way to watch or attend live.
It’s also great to see how the league strategically pinpoints key dates for the most popular rivalries in the game.
Let’s take a look at where you can watch the 2012-13 schedule release and when it will take place, as well as make some predictions about how it will play out.
When: Thursday, July 26
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET
Watch: NBA TV
Predictions for Key Dates
Opening Day: October 30
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
This one has already leaked out and is confirmed to be taking place. It will feature a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals and the debut of Ray Allen in a Heat jersey after playing the last five seasons with the C’s.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
Since the ECF rematch is taking place, why not assume the NBA scheduled a mirror game for the Western Conference? The Thunder are one of the premier young teams in the game and match up great against the aging Spurs.
Christmas Day: December 25
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat
This would be the biggest draw for the league, and it would be wise for it to schedule its most popular franchise against the also-popular NBA champions.
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the rosters make for entertaining holiday television.
Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks
The battle for New York should take center stage on Christmas Day. The Nets are playing their first season in NYC and have a great roster that will be able to compete with the Knicks both on the court and for fans in the area.
It would be amazing to get this rivalry started on the right foot in front of a national audience.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 21
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This historic rivalry makes perfect sense for the NBA to schedule during an extremely important holiday.
These two teams have nothing but bad blood and always provide a thrilling matchup for a national audience.
New Orleans Hornets vs. Houston Rockets
Both of these teams had incredible offseasons in 2012 and are the two franchises to keep an eye on over the next few years. They both have a chance to keep a solid, young nucleus together and eventually rebuild the right way—as OKC has recently proven can work.
This would make for an exciting matchup in prime time, as these two organizations are usually ignored on national television.
