2012 NBA Schedule: 10 Games with Most Star Power
The stars will all be coming out to play in these 10 NBA matchups for the 2012-2013 season.
Don't expect to see up-and-coming teams featured in this slideshow, even if their games will undoubtedly be entertaining to watch.
These are only the marquee matchups between the biggest and best teams. I'm talking about Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook vs. Tony Parker and matchups of that nature.
Read on for the 10 games with the most star power next season.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat
1 of 10Matchups
January 17 at Los Angeles
February 10 at Miami
Breakdown
The stars will be out in full force for this one as two of the NBA's most recognizable players—LeBron James and Kobe Bryant—go head-to-head.
If the Los Angeles Lakers didn't move up into the same tier as the Oklahoma City Thunder after adding Steve Nash to run the point, then they came pretty close. With Nash, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum helping out Kobe, this is a truly elite team.
Of course, the defending champions only got better. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are all returning to the Miami Heat and will now be joined by Ray Allen.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
2 of 10Matchups
November 1 at San Antonio
December 17 at Oklahoma City
March 11 at San Antonio
April 4 at Oklahoma City
Breakdown
This potential rivalry starts the season off with a bang for both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.
All the crucial pieces are back for a rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals.
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all a year older, but they'll still be quite effective. Meanwhile, another year of experience is a good thing for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers
3 of 10Matchups
December 27 at Oklahoma City
January 11 at Los Angeles Lakers
January 27 at Los Angeles Lakers
March 5 at Oklahoma City
Breakdown
With no disrespect meant to the San Antonio Spurs, this series is going to be the battle for the Western Conference.
After adding Steve Nash to a core of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers are right back in title contention.
However, to prove themselves, they'll have to take down the Oklahoma City Thunder, who knocked them out of the playoffs in five games last season. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka will ensure that this is no easy feat.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat
4 of 10Matchups
November 2 at New York
December 6 at Miami
March 3 at New York
April 2 at Miami
Breakdown
The New York Knicks are looking to finally win more than just a single playoff game, and this four-game series against the defending champions will be a great barometer of just how much damage Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler can do.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen aren't going to be easy to topple, even coming off the thrill of victory in the NBA Finals.
They'll be getting everyone's best shot this season.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
5 of 10Matchups
February 7 at Boston
February 20 at Los Angeles
Breakdown
Although this rivalry doesn't carry nearly the same intensity during the regular season as it does whenever these two historically great franchises are matched up against each other in the NBA Finals, this set of two games is very much worth watching.
After all, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers really don't like each other that much.
Jason Terry and Steve Nash will have to get used to the rivalry, but Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo already know what to expect.
Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
6 of 10Matchups
November 29 at Miami
March 31 at San Antonio
Breakdown
This is the matchup that many were expecting to take place during the 2012 NBA Finals once the San Antonio Spurs started going into unstoppable juggernaut mode and were up 2-0 on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
After the Thunder won the next four battles and the war, we were deprived of seeing LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade go head-to-head with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
We'll get a chance to watch these stars do battle twice during the upcoming regular season.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
7 of 10Matchups
October 30 at Miami
January 27 at Boston
March 18 at Boston
April 12 at Miami
Breakdown
If there wasn't enough fuel for the fire of this developing rivalry, Ray Allen's move from the Boston Celtics to the Miami Heat certainly ensured that there would be.
The NBA's all-time leading three-point scorer won't be joining Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett anymore. Instead, he'll be teaming up with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to help the Heat win back-to-back championships.
While Miami's route might go through Boston in the playoffs once more, it'll have to pass through Beantown during the regular season as well.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
8 of 10Matchups
November 7 at Los Angeles
November 19 at San Antonio
February 21 at Los Angeles
March 29 at San Antonio
Breakdown
The Los Angeles Clippers weren't much of a match for the San Antonio Spurs last season, getting swept out of the playoffs at the hands of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Now, the Clippers look to prove that they've gotten better with the additions of Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford and a healthy Chauncey Billups.
Plus, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are still bona fide stars.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
9 of 10Matchups
November 2 at Los Angeles (Lakers are the home team)
January 4 at Los Angeles (Clippers)
February 14 at Los Angeles (Lakers)
April 7 at Los Angeles (Clippers)
Breakdown
The Battle for Los Angeles is only going to get more intense now that Blake Griffin and Chris Paul have more experience and chemistry, a healthy Chauncey Billups, Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford have been added to the Los Angeles Clippers and Steve Nash is running the show for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After Griffin's brutal dunks over Pau Gasol last year, there's sure to be a few hard feelings that air out during these four matchups.
Plus, Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum are certain to put on a show.
New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets
10 of 10Matchups
November 1 at Brooklyn
December 11 at Brooklyn
December 19 at New York
January 21 at New York
Breakdown
New York Knicks fans pushed the New Jersey Nets' supporters around quite a bit, but that might change now that the franchise has moved to Brooklyn.
Now that the move is complete, the Nets are opening the Barclays Center with a showdown against the Knicks. The intensity of that game is sure to be off the charts.
Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler will be sure to do everything in their power to ensure that Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez get off to an 0-1 start.
