NBA Schedule 2011-12: Top 10 Sizzling Games to Watch After Christmas Day
Christmas Day promises to be an outstanding day for NBA fans. After going through basketball withdrawal since last season's NBA Finals, the NBA season kicks off with five games.
That's not it, though. After the release of the condensed 66-game schedule on Tuesday, the NBA fan will get to see more games played in a short span than ever before.
Since Christmas is going to be great anyway, let's take a look at the Top 10 sizzling games the rest of the season.
Thunder at Grizzlies
1 of 10When: December 28, 2011
Who could forget last May's thrilling seven-game series between Oklahoma City and Memphis?
The two teams won't have to wait long to continue it.
This time, though, the Grizzlies will have the services of Rudy Gay, and the Thunder will have Kendrick Perkins anchoring the middle for an entire season.
This should be must-see television.
Mavericks at Thunder
2 of 10When: December 29, 2011
This is the first game of an exciting TNT double-header and features a matchup of two teams that could contend in the West all season long.
Forget about that, though. How about Kevin Durant vs. Dirk Nowitzki?
Enough said.
Knicks at Lakers
3 of 10When: December 29, 2011
An early-season matchup between two teams that could be contenders this season.
With the Knicks having Carmelo Anthony all season, this should be a good early test for an improved Knicks team,
Bulls at Celtics
4 of 10When: January 9, 2012
Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo are not fans of each other, and neither are the Bulls and Celtics, who could be fighting in the East all season long.
Expect this one to be physical.
Bulls at Heat
5 of 10When: January 29, 2011
If the Bulls and Heat aren't the top rivalry in the Eastern Conference, it won't be long before they are.
It's not LeBron James who's the NBA's reigning MVP—it's Chicago's Derrick Rose.
We will see if he can hold onto it.
Clippers at Magic
6 of 10When: February 6, 2012
Two of the best young big men in the NBA are on display when Blake Griffin and the improved Clippers travel to Orlando to take on Dwight Howard and the Magic.
That is assuming Howard is still in a Magic uniform come February.
Lakers at Celtics
7 of 10When: February 9, 2012
It's the Lakers and Celtics in the Garden.
Just saying, that brings back legendary memories from years past.
This year there's also the possibility that Los Angeles could add a superstar or two by then.
Heat at Lakers
8 of 10When: March 4, 2012
This is the second of two matchups between two of the premier teams in the league.
Miami's big three against what could be a possible Lakers big three?
Who knows? By March, the Lakers could have a much different look.
Bulls at Thunder
9 of 10When: April 1, 2012
Rose and the Bulls vs. Durant and the Thunder.
Two great young teams ready to take the next step into the NBA's elite.
We will see which team is closer to that point, as this meeting gives each a tough test as the playoffs near.
Heat at Knicks
10 of 10When: April 15, 2012
Mid-April is the only time LeBron James and the hated Miami Heat visit Madison Square Garden on the season.
Emotions should be high, so expect something spectacular to happen with all of the star power potentially on the floor.
