NBA 2010 Schedule: 10 Must-See Chicago Bulls Games In 2010-2011

A big day has come and gone in the National Basketball Association:

Schedule Release Day!

With so much talk, hype, and anticipation surrounding the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls, getting to look at which team they clash with during their 82-game season is an early treat for die-hard fans.

Here is a look at ten games that all Bulls fans need to see or hear in some capacity. Whether it is at work on the radio, at your house, a friend's house, at the United Center, on the road, or your favorite watering hole, tune in to this double digit dandy of match-ups sure to get you excited.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010: Bulls Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 27: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder moves the ball while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 27, 2010 in Los A

What a way to start the new season. Kevin Durant and the ever-improving Oklahoma City Thunder host the Bulls in the season opener for both teams.

Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka, and company will be major players in the wild Western Conference, and a true test very early for Chicago.

I would not weigh this game as heavily as compared to a match-up between the two in January or later. Regardless, seeing two of the best players, Durant and Derrick Rose, will make for a great game.

Catch this game nationally on ESPN. Chicago has 27 games to be aired for the entire United States to see this season.

Saturday, October 30, 2010: Bulls Vs. Detroit Pistons

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 20: Tracy McGrady #3 of the New York Knicks smiles after making a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Chicago opens up their home portion of the schedule against recently scorned Tracy McGrady and the Detroit Pistons. The newly signed Pistons forward will get an early crack at the team he wanted to join.

Former Bull Ben Gordon will also get another chance at impressing the former club.

The home fans will get their first taste of Bulls flavor against a team that appears to be very beatable.

Friday, November 5, 2010: Bulls Vs. Boston Celtics

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics boxes out Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

New Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau gets to face his former team at "The Boston Garden" for this Friday night tilt. Thibs was the defensive mastermind behind the stingy defense the Celtics used to earn their 2008 Championship.

The Bulls also get their chance to knock off the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

ESPN has the national coverage.

Saturday, November 27, 2010: Bulls Vs. Sacramento Kings

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DALLAS - FEBRUARY 12: Tyreke Evans #13 of the Rookie team shoots against the Sophomore team during the second half of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam part of 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend at American Airlines Center on February 12, 2010 in Dallas,

Chicago ends their 7-game, 4-state "Circus Trip" against the Kings.

In case you do not know why the road trip, their longest of the season, is called the "Circus Trip," it is literally because of the circus. Barnam & Bailey Circus will be performing at the United Center during the middle and end of November, so the Bulls and UC-sharing Chicago Blackhawks hit the road.

If Chicago can win four of these games, the trip will be a major success. Besides Sactown, Chicago faces Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Denver, and the L.A. Lakers.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010: Bulls Vs. Orlando Magic

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BOSTON - MAY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic gestures as he runs up court against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER

One of the best teams in the league pay a visit to the U.C. to start the month of December.

At this point, Chicago should have a good feel of their identity and where they stand amongst the beast in the east. This match-up is another one of their best tests in the first half of the season.

Friday, December 10, 2010: Bulls Vs. L.A. Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 21: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds the championship trophy while riding in the victory parade for the the NBA basketball champion team on June 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 87-7

Kobe Bryant and the NBA Champion L.A. Lakers come to the Windy City for a mid-season battle.

The Lake Show will be in the top class of the Western Conference, and a win against them would be a nice feather in the cap for the Bulls to have. Nothing wrong with taking the defending champs down a peg.

Catch this match-up on ESPN.

Saturday, December 25, 2010: Bulls Vs. New York Knicks

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NEW YORK - MARCH 19: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on March 19, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photogr

Santa gives fans a late morning present with the Bulls squaring off against the Knicks in one of three Christmas Day games.

The Bulls get their first look at Amare Stoudemire and the newly renovated Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 11 in the morning.

Once again, ESPN will carry this game.

Saturday, January 15, 2011: Bulls Vs. Miami Heat

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MIAMI - JULY 09: Chris Bosh #1, Dwyane Wade #3, and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat are introduced to fans during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

The new "Big Three" make their first of two appearances in Chicago for this Saturday night game, which is sure to be the biggest of the season for the Bulls up to that point.

LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh bring their crew to face the team many thought one, two, or all three of the free agents would join (I never saw all three coming to Chicago, for the record).

The United Center will be sold out, and this could be one of the highest rated games of the 2010-11 season.

Look for this game on NBA TV, as well as local coverage.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011: Bulls Vs. Utah Jazz

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz stands on the court during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

The Bulls play their only game at Utah during this 5-game road trip.

Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Ronnie Brewer will get their chance to one up their former team in a game that is sure to be buzz-worthy in Utah.

Utah has a crazy, loyal fan base, so this game will have sparks flying to say the least.

Wednesday, Aprl 13, 2011: Bulls Vs. New Jersey Nets

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 27: Devin Harris #34 of the New Jersey Nets makes a move to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 27, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

The Chicago Bulls finish their home and regular season against the New Jersey Nets. Despite their horrible 2009-10 campaign, the Nets may be playing for a playoff seeding going into their final game of the season, just as Chicago could be fighting for playoff positioning.

As much as this could be a potential nothing game, getting a chance to finish the regular season strong can only help the Bulls' cause.