2012-13 NBA Schedule: Early Contests That Will Test Title Contenders
The 2012-13 NBA schedule has been released and is available on NBA.com as we speak. With Summer League games drawing to a close recently as well, the excitement surrounding the Association is riding high once again.
Games late in the season will determine playoff teams, but they aren't the only important matchups on the 2012 slate. Last year's playoff teams—and this year's title contenders—will face stiff early-season tests as well.
Let's take a look at a select few you have to keep an eye on.
Celtics vs. Heat
This is too good to be true.
The NBA's opening night will be Tuesday, October 30. Not only will two rival teams play in prime time, but Ray Allen will play his former team for the first time.
These two teams don't like each other. And Allen's addition doesn't help. Expect South Beach to be rocking as this game approaches.
On top of that is Miami's ring ceremony. The Celtics will be looking to spoil the Heat's championship ring presentation by taking this opening-night contest, which should be very competitive.
Miami got much better on the perimeter with the additions of Allen and Rashard Lewis, and the Celtics retooled their veteran roster with Jason Terry and Courtney Lee. Miami is the more talented team, but the Celtics can never be counted out.
Don't miss this one.
Thunder vs. Spurs
The first rematch between last year's Western Conference finals participants will go down on Thursday, November 1.
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden want to prove to the rest of the league that they can bounce back from their disappointing NBA Finals performance. This is their first chance to grab a victory over a major opponent, and everyone wants to see how they respond.
San Antonio watched the Thunder steal four straight victories from their grasp in last year's conference finals. Their veteran group doesn't take kindly to such things, and they will undoubtedly have revenge in mind.
Both teams are still stacked, and this game will be must-watch TV.
Clippers vs. Lakers
We are spoiled. On Friday, November 2, we get to see two more elite Western Conference teams do battle. The Lakers will have matched up with Dallas previously, so it's not their first test. But the intra-city rivalry makes this game a bigger deal.
Everyone is eager to see the Lakers' new starting lineup this season, as Steve Nash should generate more open looks for the Lakers' scorers. Kobe Bryant wants one more ring, and this could be the team to do it.
The Clippers, meanwhile, want to prove last year wasn't a fluke. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will look to establish their presence for a second straight year, while defeating their in-city rival.
The Western Conference will be deep again next season, but these two will surely be near the top.
Knicks vs. Nets
How you perceive a contender comes into question here. You may not like the Nets' revamped roster, and you may not believe in Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks, but this game pits two of the Eastern Conference's better squads against one another.
New York now has two teams. And this is the first time these two will clash with the word Brooklyn in front of the Nets' name.
On Thursday, November 1, we will see Brooklyn's new backcourt at work. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are out to prove that they can coexist, while Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez try to offer support.
Across at the Garden, Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler will try and prove that they can contend. They were a disappointment last season, but the pieces are in place to turn it around.
All kinds of intrigue surrounds next year's NBA season. Start with these pivotal games, and take it from there.
