NBA Preseason 2014: Full Remaining Schedule and Predictions for Top Games
The 2014-15 NBA season can't come soon enough for many teams. For others, they'd probably prefer a couple more weeks.
The regular season is set to begin on October 28 with a trio of games, but it's more than safe to say that not everyone is ready. A handful of teams will have to start out the 82-game slate still nursing an important player back to health, while other new-look squads are trying desperately to establish chemistry before the games start counting.
With the regular season right around the corner, these final preseason clashes become even more important with only a few chances left to figure things out before the lights go on for real.
Here's a look at the rest of the preseason schedule along with predictions for games worth tuning in to.
| Wednesday, Oct. 22 | ||
| 7 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Maccabi Haifa vs. Toronto Raptors | |
| 8 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies | ESPN |
| 8 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Milwaukee Bucks | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. San Antonio Spurs | |
| 10 p.m. | Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | |
| 10:30 p.m. | Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers | ESPN |
| Thursday, Oct. 23 | ||
| 7 p.m. | Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons | |
| 8 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans | |
| Friday, Oct. 24 | ||
| 7 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic | |
| 7:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors | |
| 8 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls | |
| 8 p.m. | Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies | |
| 8 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets | NBATV |
| 9 p.m. | Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz | |
| 10 p.m. | Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers | |
| 10:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | |
| 10:30 p.m. | Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers | NBATV |
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Oct. 22, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
By now, the basketball public has been able to get used to LeBron James in the wine and gold once again, but the new-look Cavaliers are just starting to get used to one another along with David Blatt's new scheme.
Just like when James joined the Heat some four years ago, the chemistry-building will go on long into the season. But we'll get one last chance to see the Cavs try to put it together in a preseason game on Wednesday with a trip to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite inevitable growing pains, Cleveland is 5-1 in the preseason. Meanwhile, one of the Grizzlies' two preseason victories came against Brazilian club Flamengo—the other a five-point win over the Hawks.
The Cavs may choose to rest one of their stars after all three played regularly in a 107-98 win over Chicago on Monday night, but James had no doubt before the game that his team is behind its Eastern Conference foes.
"[The Bulls] are a team that's much better than us right now just off chemistry," James told ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. "They've been together for a while; we've got a long way to go."
That's true—the Cavs do have a long, long way to go. But their talent alone has been getting them easy wins this preseason, and that shouldn't change in Memphis.
It will be a big test for the Cavs' questionable defensive frontcourt in facing Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, but Cleveland's advantage on the perimeter is too strong.
Prediction: Cavs 91, Grizzlies 80
San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets (Oct. 24, 8 p.m. ET, NBATV)
The San Antonio Spurs face the tough task of attempting a repeat as NBA champions, while the Houston Rockets are beyond hungry to make a playoff run with a title-contending roster.
Friday's preseason finale for both teams may not be much of a precursor with the focus set on being ready for the season opener, but it will be interesting to see how motivated each side is against strong conference opposition.
Last season didn't go as planned for the Rockets after being bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Portland, but general manager Daryl Morey noted what it will take to make the next step.
“Overall we were an average team, we want to be a top-10 team,” Morey told The Associated Press, via The Washington Post. “If we can be a top-10 team on both sides of the ball that’s the entry card to compete for a championship.”
San Antonio has been a tough team to read this preseason with a loss to Fenerbahce Ulker in Europe. But for a team that rests its starters in the middle of the regular season, preseason results are even less important for the Spurs than they normally tend to be.
The Spurs got back to regular-season form with their 106-99 win over Sacramento on Monday, and they should rise to the challenge against a Rockets team they could very well see again in the postseason.
Prediction: Spurs 106, Rockets 89
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls (Oct. 24, 8 p.m. ET)
Arguably the most impressive team in the preseason regardless of record, the Chicago Bulls will aim to finish the exhibition circuit on a high note against the young Minnesota Timberwolves in St. Louis.
The Bulls are 4-3 in the preseason, but the huge strides they made over the offseason are obvious. Derrick Rose looks healthy and effective, Jimmy Butler is making plays on the perimeter and that newfound depth looks to be building some considerable chemistry.
The future is bright in Minnesota after acquiring Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young and Zach LaVine over the offseason. But against defensive dynamos such as the Bulls, finding offense with a new-look system will be tough.
Chicago may not be at full strength in its final preseason contest, but Tom Thibodeau will still try to get some of his rotation players rolling. The Bulls reserves could probably beat the T-Wolves' starting lineup at this point, and that will be apparent on Friday.
Prediction: Bulls 95, Timberwolves 80
