NBA Preseason 2014: Weekend Schedule and Breakdown of Top Matchups
There are still several weeks before the start of the regular season in the NBA, but the preseason offers a look at the league's most exciting teams. This weekend, the stars are set to shine.
The biggest move across the league this offseason was LeBron James leaving the Miami Heat to return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two franchises will face off in HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday with the Big Three in Miami having a noticeably different look, per the NBA:
Meanwhile, the biggest game in the United States will take place in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers fell short of the Western Conference Finals in 2013-14, but both have hope for another playoff run this season.
Prior to this weekend's games tipping off, let's take a look at the full schedule and preview of the best games taking place.
| Sat., Oct. 11 | Cleveland | Miami | 5 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 11 | New York | Boston | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 11 | Atlanta | Memphis | 8 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 11 | Chicago | Milwaukee | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sun., Oct. 12 | Brooklyn | Sacramento | 1 a.m. |
| Sun., Oct. 12 | Detroit | Washington | 1 p.m. |
| Sun., Oct. 12 | Indiana | Dallas | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun., Oct. 12 | L.A. Clippers | Portland | 9 p.m. |
| Sun., Oct. 12 | Golden St. | L.A. Lakers | 9:30 p.m. |
Top Matchups
Saturday: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
All offseason long, James' entire life has been chronicled to some degree. Whether it was his free agency, his decision to return to Cleveland or even his always famous hairline, King James has been in the news.
With the 2014-15 season approaching, James now gets to see what he left behind. Miami is without the four-time MVP but still has Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh along with a cast of emerging stars.
Prior to the matchup, Wade spoke about last season and the team's optimism, via Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report:
"Last year wasn't fun. I mean, there was no stretch of it [that was] fun. That whole season, to me, it's amazing we made it to the Finals. It's just honest.
Just this year, coming in, I can see, even in the coaches, there's just a different renewed focus and energy. No one knows what it's going to lead to. No one knows if that's going to lead to a Finals win or Finals loss or not the Finals at all. But right now it's good for everyone to come in every day and want to be here.
"
Equipped with an invigorated Bosh, Miami is looking to prove it can still compete in the Eastern Conference. Sure, they likely won't battle the same as the regular season, but there is no love lost between the Cavs and Heat.
James has already assembled his new Big Three with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving along with several complementary pieces. It should be noted that Irving's status is unclear after he suffered a right ankle injury, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
The Heat are battle-tested and will look to put on a show for their former teammate on Saturday in Brazil.
Sunday: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Myriad superstars will be on display when the Clippers travel to take on the Blazers on Sunday night. More specifically, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge will do battle inside, while Chris Paul and Damian Lillard face off at the point position.
Griffin comes in as one of the most dominating presences in the paint, but he has improved in other areas this offseason. Jovan Buha of Fox Sports provides his thoughts on the new-look jump shot for Griffin:
On the other side, the Trail Blazers were one of the most surprising teams last season. Now they have to deal with heightened expectations in a Western Conference that saw seven teams finish with 50 or more wins in 2013-14.
Aldridge was a beast down low for the Blazers in the playoffs after a phenomenal regular season. In a recent preseason game against the Utah Jazz, Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune offered his analysis on Aldridge:
Fans won't get to see all of these stars play every minute of this game, but getting a glimpse at both teams is certainly worth watching.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
