2012-13 NBA Schedule: Showdowns That Will Separate Contenders from Pretenders
Now that the official 2012-2013 NBA schedule has been released, we can start looking forward to the most explosive matchups of next season.
The Miami Heat knocked out the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals, as LeBron James smiled and waved to his haters.
Will the Heat repeat this season?
Well, they certainly have the talent, but there are also some other teams in the league who won't make things easy on the defending champions.
Here's a look at some games in 2012-2013 that will separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers, Dec. 25
The Nuggets went 38-28 last season, grabbing the sixth seed in the Western Conference, but they were knocked out of the conference quarterfinals by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nonetheless, there is a lot of young talent on this team and a lot of depth, highlighted by point guard Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and shot-blocker supreme JaVale McGee.
The Clippers, of course, are gunning for more in 2012-2013 after going 40-26 last season. They not only have superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, they also added Grant Hill to the mix this offseason.
After getting swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the conference semifinals last season, the Clippers are hungry for more.
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, Nov. 1
The Thunder obviously believed they could win the championship last season, but even though they didn't, they have a lot to be proud of.
This is still a young team, boasting two superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and most of the team has stayed intact. The question will be come playoff time whether James Harden steps up. He floundered in the NBA Finals last season.
The Spurs certainly have an aging roster, but they still made it to the Western Conference finals last season before being dispatched by the Thunder. Keep in mind, the Spurs won the first two games of that series, so they still have some left in the tank.
Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat, Feb. 10
The Lakers made a huge move in acquiring Steve Nash this summer after suffering at point guard last season. They also added some offense off the bench in Antawn Jamison.
There are, however, some questions about Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol after they didn't defend as well in the playoffs. Bynum, when motivated, is nearly unstoppable.
Then there are the reigning champion Miami Heat, still boasting LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Did I mention they could be even better next season?
The Heat picked up sharpshooter Ray Allen in the summer, as well as former All-Star Rashard Lewis.
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, Feb. 20
The Celtics are certainly hurting after losing Allen to their Eastern Conference rivals, but they did pick up former Dallas Maverick Jason Terry this summer.
They still have Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and the fountain of youth that is Kevin Garnett, as well as a nice role player in Brandon Bass, and rookie Jared Sullinger has shown the ability to take over at power forward.
Watching Rondo and Steve Nash go at it, as well as Pierce and Kobe Bryant, is going to be a joyous viewing experience.
Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers, April 7
Ah yes, the battle of Los Angeles.
The Lakers are trying to win another title before Kobe Bryant calls it quits, and Chris Paul and Co. are hungry to upstage the Lakers and shock the Western Conference this season.
Given the star power on the court, this promises to be yet another riveting clash. Both the Lakers and the Clippers were going after Grant Hill this summer, who can still make a difference for a team with his defense at this stage of his career.
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