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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17:  Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledgesRonald Martinez/Getty Images

NBA Preview: Best Games of the Season Until Christmas

Eli ChesnerOct 24, 2010

During the offseason, we had moves no one saw coming and obvious moves. LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining Dwyane Wade and the Heat, Amare Stoudimire going to New York and Carlos Boozer heading to Chicago.

And throughout the year, we will see plenty of these teams against good teams. Throughout the year, we will see the Lakers, Heat, Thunder, Magic, Bulls, Celtics, Knicks, Mavericks, Spurs and other teams on national TV.

Here are the games to look out for before this upcoming Christmas in the NBA.

Opening Night: Heat @ Celtics TNT, Suns @ Trail Blazers, Rockets @ Lakers TNT

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21:  LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat walks up the court against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat walks up the court against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Three great games highlight opening night on Tuesday. The Heat make their anticipated debut against the Eastern Conference champion Celtics. The Suns make their post-Amare debut against the high expectations of the Trail Blazers. And Yao Ming makes his return against the two time NBA champion Lakers. It should be a great opening night for the NBA.

Oct. 27: Bulls @ Thunder ESPN

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 08:  Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walks back to the bench during the game against the Miami Heat on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walks back to the bench during the game against the Miami Heat on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Two of the game's youngest stars face off in Oklahoma City as Derrick Rose leads the Bulls to face Kevin Durant and the up and coming Thunder on ESPN.

Oct. 28: Wizards @ Magic TNT

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NEW YORK - JUNE 24:  John Wall of Kentucky waits to be drafted as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft by The Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York, New York.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 24: John Wall of Kentucky waits to be drafted as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft by The Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

No. 1 overall pick John Wall makes his NBA debut as the Wizards take on Dwight Howard and the Magic in Orlando on TNT.

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Oct. 29: Knicks @ Celtics, Magic @ Heat ESPN, Nuggets @ Hornets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14:  Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks arrives at the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks arrives at the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Amare Stoudimire gets his first taste at the Knicks-Celtics rivalry, while the Magic take on their division rival Heat for the first time this year. In New Orleans, two potential teammates face off as Carmelo Anthony leads the Nuggets into New Orleans to take on Chris Paul and the Hornets.

Nov 4: Knicks @ Bulls TNT, Thunder @ Blazers TNT

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 29:  Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against Jason Richardson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland,
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 29: Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against Jason Richardson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland,

A great doubleheader on TNT with four possible teams of the next decade as the Knicks take on the Bulls before the Thunder take on the Blazers.

Nov 7: Celtics @ Thunder, Blazers @ Lakers

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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
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

Two good games this day as the Celtics Big Three takes on Kevin Durant and the Thunder, and Brandon Roy and the Blazers take on Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Nov.10: Warriors @ Knicks

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PHOENIX - OCTOBER 19:  David Lee #10 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball under pressure from Hedo Turkoglu #19 of the Phoenix Suns during the preseason NBA game at US Airways Center on October 19, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User exp
PHOENIX - OCTOBER 19: David Lee #10 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball under pressure from Hedo Turkoglu #19 of the Phoenix Suns during the preseason NBA game at US Airways Center on October 19, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User exp

David Lee makes his return to Madison Square Garden in a Warriors uniform as he tries to prove the Knicks wrong by going after Stoudimire.

Nov.11: Celtics @ Heat TNT, Lakers @ Nuggets TNT

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PHOENIX - OCTOBER 22:  Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets smiles on the bench during the preseason NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on October 22, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
PHOENIX - OCTOBER 22: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets smiles on the bench during the preseason NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on October 22, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Stars everywhere in this TNT double header as Kevin Garnett leads the Celtics against LeBron James and the Heat. Then Kobe leads the Lakers against Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets.

Nov 13. Raptors @ Heat, Wizards @ Bulls

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21:  Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots over Zaza Pachulia #27 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots over Zaza Pachulia #27 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Chris Bosh takes on his old team for the first time since signing with the Heat. And two of the best young point guards square off as John Wall leads the Wizards to Chicago to take on Derrick Rose and the Bulls.

Nov. 16 : Knicks @ Nuggets

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SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 30:  Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court during their game against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on April 30, 2010 in Sa
SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 30: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court during their game against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on April 30, 2010 in Sa

Carmelo plays his first game against the team that he wants to be on, as the Knicks travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets.

Nov. 23: Bulls @ Lakers

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13:  Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Carl Landry #24 of the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: Us
LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Carl Landry #24 of the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: Us

A possible finals matchup as the Bulls take on the Lakers.

Dec 2: Heat @ Cavaliers TNT

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BOSTON - MAY 13:  LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands by in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. T
BOSTON - MAY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands by in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. T

What might be the game of the year in Cleveland as LeBron makes his return to Cleveland against the Cavaliers.

Dec 3: Knicks @ Hornets

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 13:  Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets in action during the game against the Miami Heat at the New Orleans Arena on October 13, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow
NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 13: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets in action during the game against the Miami Heat at the New Orleans Arena on October 13, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Chris Paul makes his season debut against the team he wants to go to as the Hornets host the Knicks.

Dec 12: Nuggets @ Knicks

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23:  Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks and his son Amar'e Jr. look on prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 23, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks and his son Amar'e Jr. look on prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 23, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo

Carmelo comes to the Garden for possibly the last time in a visitor's uniform as the Nuggets take on the Knicks.

Dec 13: Hornets @ Heat

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 13:  Mike Miller #13 of the Miami Heat in action against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on October 13, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o
NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 13: Mike Miller #13 of the Miami Heat in action against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on October 13, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

Chris Paul vs. Wade and James. Should be a great offensive battle as the Hornets visit the Heat.

Dec 15: Celtics @ Knicks ESPN, Cavaliers @ Heat

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17:  Head coach Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics talks with Paul Pierce #34 while taking on 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: Us
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics talks with Paul Pierce #34 while taking on 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: Us

The Celtics visit the other Garden for the first time this year as they take on the Knicks. LeBron takes on his former team for the second time as the Cavs visit the Heat.

Dec 17: Heat @ Knicks ESPN

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21:  LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat waits downcourt against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat waits downcourt against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Heat take on the Knicks for the first time this year as LeBron will try to continue his MSG success. 

Christmas Day: Bulls @ Knicks ESPN, Celtics @ Magic ABC, Heat @ Lakers ABC

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13:  Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow
LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Five fantastic games on Christmas starts with The Bulls visiting MSG to take on the Knicks, the Magic and the Celtics in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch, and a possible Finals matchup as LeBron and the Heat take on Kobe and the Lakers.

Christmas Night: Nuggets @ Thunder ESPN, Blazers @ Warriors ESPN

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 8: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to drive past LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat before the game on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 8: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to drive past LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat before the game on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

The last two games of the day are the Nuggets at the Thunder and the Trail Blazers visiting the Warriors.

They Control the NBA This Summer ✍️

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