NBA Schedule 2012: Complete TV Info for Special Release Date
An NBA schedule leak has already told us (per CBS Sports) that the New York Knicks will be invading the Barclays Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets to open the season.
But what else is on the docket on opening night?
We'll find out on Thursday night, when the NBA releases its 2012-2013 schedule in a TV special. Here are the specifics on how you can catch the NBA event.
When: Thursday at 7 p.m. ET
TV: NBATV
With last season being delayed and marred by the lockout, the NBA should deliver big-time on opening night.
I totally approve the Knicks-Nets matchup as one of the games set to kick off the season, but there are a few others I'd like to see.
How about a quadruple-header?
The Knicks at Nets in the first game makes sense because of the new geographical relevance to the New York rivalry, but also because both teams figure to be better this year.
It also gives the NBA an opportunity to show off its newest building.
The second game should feature the Miami Heat on the road at the Boston Celtics. The Heat-Celtics series was classic, and now with Ray Allen moving from Boston to Miami, there is even more intrigue.
LeBron James and company must be included in the high-profile opener.
The third game should be the Indiana Pacers visiting the Chicago Bulls. I know Derrick Rose won't be there, and the Bulls could be without Luol Deng (per ESPNChicago.com) as well.
But the Bulls showed themselves to still be the team to beat in the Central Division through a rash of injuries last year.
These two teams will still be the class of the Central Division.
In the final game of the quadruple-header, the Los Angeles Lakers should host the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder just represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, and the Lakers made a couple of high-profile additions.
I'd love to see Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant take on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on opening night. I believe this will be a preview of the Western Conference finals.
We'll have to see how it all pans out.
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