NBA 2012-13 Schedule: Top Matchups to Anticipate Next Season
It seems like it was just yesterday that the Heat took down the Thunder en route to the NBA title.
But when the NBA released its 2012-13 schedule on Thursday, it became official: The start of the upcoming season is only three months away, which means we are in for three long months of anticipation, speculation and Dwight Howard trade rumors.
Here's a look at the top matchups to look forward to as the 2012-13 kickoff gets closer. In the meantime, you can see the full 2012-13 schedule here (ESPN).
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Tuesday, October 30
8 p.m. ET, TNT
The 2012 postseason ended just as painfully for the Celtics as it ended blissfully for the Heat. After jumping out to an unlikely 3-2 series lead over Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals, the wily old Celtics dropped the next two games—and endured two spectacular performances from LeBron James—before their season came to a stunning halt.
The Heat, of course, would go on to win the title, while the Celtics would go on to lose their battle to retain free agent shooting guard Ray Allen. Allen took a pay cut and jumped ship to the Heat, and he'll get his first look at his old team on the first night of the season, when Boston visits Miami.
Will the Celtics' new Jason Terry-Courtney Lee tandem be able to compensate for the loss of their veteran sharpshooter? Or will Allen burn the Celtics from beyond the arc, just like he used to do to all of Boston's opponents?
We'll soon find out.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
Friday, November 16
10:30 p.m. ET
It's been eight years since Phoenix had to see Steve Nash wearing a uniform that didn't have the Suns logo on it, but here they are. After eight consecutive years in Phoenix and 10 years total, Nash skipped town on the team that drafted him and opted to join the Lakers, making them the new favorite in the Western Conference.
The Lakers expect greatness every season, and for the past two, they just haven't been making the cut. This year, against the Thunder's formidable scoring attack, it was clear that L.A. needed to add a solid, veteran backcourt presence if it wanted to compete.
Enter Nash.
The 38-year-old point guard hasn't played on a legitimate contender for a long time, and now, his only goal is to put a ring on it before he retires. Meanwhile, the Suns—who are all but officially in rebuilding mode—get to watch the magic happen up close and personal on November 16.
New Orleans Hornets vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Friday, November 9
8 p.m. ET
The biggest reason this matchup is going to be a can't-miss for those of us who consider ourselves to be college basketball fanatics? It's our first chance to see former teammates and partners-in-crime Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist square off on opposite sides of the court.
Davis and Gilchrist led Kentucky to the national title in 2012, and were the cornerstones of a squad that was the winningest team in the history of college basketball (KentuckySports.com). Now, we'll get to see whether they can have the same impact on their new teams—without the assistance of each other.
Because this matchup takes place just a couple of weeks into the season, it'll give us an early indication of whether or not the lowly Hornets or Wizards are capable of doing any damage in the league in 2012-13. They could look good enough to make a run, or they could look like they're headed right back to the lottery in 2013.
