5 NBA Preseason Games You Need to Watch This Weekend and Why
It's been a long time since NBA fans were treated to actual basketball instead of stories of labor deals and nixed trades dominating the headlines.
While the regular season doesn't kickoff until Christmas Day, preseason games begin this weekend.
If you need your fix of NBA basketball, here's five games you need to see.
Bulls at Pacers
1 of 5When: Friday, 7 pm ET
You can get your first look at the reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls, who finished last season with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
They are championship contenders this season as well, and fans can get their first look at the Bulls on Friday against what should be an improved Pacers squad.
Hornets at Grizzlies
2 of 5When: Friday 8 pm ET
The Memphis Grizzlies took the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games a season ago in a thrilling playoff series and should be exciting to watch this season.
As for the New Orleans Hornets, it's a chance to see what the new-look Hornets look like in Eric Gordon's debut.
Knicks at Nets
3 of 5When: Saturday 2 pm ET
The new-look New York Knicks will be on display for the first time when they travel across the river to face the New Jersey Nets.
We get to see what the Knicks look like with Carmelo Anthony in uniform for an entire season and see first hand what type of immediate impact center Tyson Chandler will have.
Magic at Heat
4 of 5When: Sunday 6 pm ET
The last time we got a look at the Miami Heat and their "Big Three," we were left with images of LeBron James failing miserably in the NBA Finals.
It's a new year, though, and the slate is clean for James and the Heat. They get their first chance to take the court on Sunday against the Orlando Magic, who still have center Dwight Howard in uniform.
Thunder at Mavericks
5 of 5When: Sunday 7:30 pm ET
It doesn't matter if it's preseason, it's Dirk Nowitzki versus Kevin Durant.
It's the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the defending NBA champions Dallas Mavericks.
The Thunder are young and talented enough to reach the ultimate goal that Dallas reached a season ago. Both teams will be worth keeping an eye on all season, but when it comes to preseason basketball, it doesn't get much better than this.
