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Let the games begin
The NBA has officially released the 2017-18 schedule and every team is undefeated. Yes, even the Nets.
We've gone through the entire schedule and highlighted every team's most interesting game. So sit back, pull up your calendars and let the sudden realization sink in that the NBA is almost here once again.
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Atlanta Hawks
Opponent: Denver Nuggets
When: Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
Why: Paul Millsap was an All-Star and a staple of the Hawks franchise for the past four seasons, and after an amicable split he'll return in a Nuggets uniform during the second week of the season. Expect Millsap to get a warm reception in his old home.
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Boston Celtics
Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
When: Oct. 17, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Why: The addition of Gordon Hayward is supposed to turn the Celtics into a true contender in the Eastern Conference, and what better time to test themselves than in the first game of the season? It'll be Hayward's first game as a Celtic, and adding to the intrigue is the question of whether or not Kyrie Irving will still be with the Cavs.
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Brooklyn Nets
Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers
When: Nov. 3, 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Why: Let's face it, the Nets don't have a lot of interesting games this season. But the return of newly-acquired point guard D'Angelo Russell to Los Angeles has some definite intrigue. The former No. 2 overall draft pick was traded to the Nets this offseason after a rocky first couple of years, so he'll have a little extra pep in his step in L.A.
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Charlotte Hornets
Opponent: Houston Rockets
When: Dec. 13, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Why: Come for the vitriol, stay for the great guard play. This game's interesting for a couple of reasons: First, we'll get to see Kemba Walker against one of the best backcourts in the NBA (Chris Paul and James Harden). Second, we'll get to see Dwight Howard return to Houston, where he is absolutely detested.
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Chicago Bulls
Opponent: Minnesota Timberwolves
When: Feb. 9, 8 p.m. ET
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Why: The Bulls recently commenced the rebuilding effort, and the biggest part of that was trading away All-Star Jimmy Butler. The newest Timberwolf is now reunited with former Bull Taj Gibson in Minnesota, and they'll travel to Chicago for the first time in February.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
When: Dec. 25, 3 p.m. ET
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Why: It wouldn't be Christmas without the annual Cavs-Warriors game. This year's edition will be even more compelling if Kyrie Irving is no longer on the Cavs since it will let us see how whichever new pieces they pick up can help in the effort to dethrone Golden State.
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Dallas Mavericks
Opponent: Phoenix Suns
When: April 10, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Why: This could be the last NBA game that Dirk Nowitzki ever plays. He's maintained that he wants to play two more seasons, but injuries and fatigue could change his mind toward the end of the season. With the Mavericks unlikely to make the playoffs, this could be Dirk's final farewell.
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Denver Nuggets
Opponent: Portland Trail Blazers
When: Jan. 22, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Why: The Nuggets didn't exactly part with Jusuf Nurkic on the best of terms, and he quickly became a potential franchise big man during his sort time in Portland last season. Nurkic torched the Nuggets for a career-high 33 points and 15 rebounds in his only game against them last year, so Denver is going to do everything they can to stop him this time around.
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Detroit Pistons
Opponent: Los Angeles Clippers
When: Feb. 9, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Why: This might seem like a random game, but it's interesting because it's the day after this season's trade deadline. Will Andre Drummond, long a subject of trade rumors, still be on the team? We'll have to wait and see.
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Golden State Warriors
Opponent: Houston Rockets
When: Jan. 4, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Why: The Rockets are the only team that might give the Warriors a run in the Western Conference this season, so it'll be interesting to see how they stack up. The two teams play on opening night, but the Rockets likely won't have much figured out at that point. The better test, and more interesting game, will come in January in their second meeting.
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Houston Rockets
Opponent: San Antonio Spurs
When: Friday, Dec. 15, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Why: The last time the Rockets faced the Spurs they were thoroughly embarrassed by 39 points on their home court and eliminated from the playoffs. Houston reloaded with point guard Chris Paul, so there's no better time to prove that the new and improved Rockets are ready to take the next step and put the past behind them.
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Indiana Pacers
Opponent: Oklahoma City Thunder
When: Dec. 13, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Why: The Pacers might actually be good enough to make the playoffs in the East this season, but there's only one game that really matters. Paul George will return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, most likely to a chorus of boos, along with the Thunder in mid-December.
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Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: Houston Rockets
When: Jan. 15, 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Why: Chris Paul ushered in a new era of Clippers basketball, but fell short of leading them to the promised land before demanding a trade to Houston this offseason. The L.A. faithful will get a chance to let him have it in mid-January's nationally televised game. It's no secret that Paul and the Clippers had some chemistry issues toward the end of his tenure, so it will be interesting to see how he interacts with his old teammates.
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Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers
When: Nov. 15, 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Why: As the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in this year's draft, Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball will be forever linked -- particularly since they play the same position. In mid-November we'll get to take a look at the two rookies on teams that could be the future of the NBA.
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Memphis Grizzlies
Opponent: Sacramento Kings
When: Jan. 19, 8 p.m. ET
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
Why: Zach Randolph has been synonymous with the "grit-n-grind" Grizzlies for the better part of the last decade, so it'll be strange for the Memphis faithful to see him in a new uniform. He'll probably receive a standing ovation when he returns for the first time with the Kings in January.
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Miami Heat
Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
When: March 27, 8 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Why: There's never a bigger show than when LeBron comes back to South Beach, and this season will be no different. An added wrinkle this year -- could Kyrie Irving be playing against the Cavs as a member of the Heat?
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Milwaukee Bucks
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
When: Jan. 12, 8 p.m. ET
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Why: The Bucks famously handed the Warriors their first loss after 24 straight wins to open the 2015-16, and the Bucks have only gotten better since then. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. have a chance to test themselves against the league's best in a nationally televised home game in January.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Opponent: Denver Nuggets
When: Dec. 20, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Why: The Wolves will surely take a leap forward this season due to the addition of Jimmy Butler, but they're not exactly in the category with the Warriors and Rockets quite yet. The Nuggets are in a similar position as the Wolves with an established star (Paul Millsap) surrounded by young talent. It should be a fun barometer to see how both teams stack up early in the season.
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New Orleans Pelicans
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
When: Oct. 20, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Why: When the whole league has zigged by going small, the Pelicans have zagged by pairing two of the best young big men in the game. We'll find out early whether the twin tower approach can give a team like the Warriors problems -- if it doesn't, the Pels might as well start shopping Cousins.
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New York Knicks
Opponent: Houston Rockets
When: Nov. 1, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
Why: Well, this will either be Carmelo Anthony's first game at MSG as a member of the Rockets, or he will be playing against the team everyone knows he desperately wanted to join. Awkward. Either way it'll be fascinating to watch.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
When: Nov. 22, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Why: KD. Russ. OKC. Say no more. Last season the hatred and cupcake imagery directed toward Durant was spoiled because the Warriors blew the Thunder out. But this year OKC has added Paul George to make things a bit more even. This should be one of the marquee games of the early NBA season.
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Orlando Magic
Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers
When: Nov. 25, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Why: The Magic won't draw much national interest this season (their only nationally televised games are on NBA TV), but an early season matchup with the 76ers is intriguing. In theory the Magic and Sixers should be in a similar place, but the Sixers have deservedly gotten much more hype. This game gives the Magic's young players a chance to show they can be just as exciting.
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Philadelphia 76ers
Opponent: New York Knicks
When: Dec. 25, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
Why: The NBA world is starting to trust the process, and there's no clearer indication than the fact that the Sixers will be playing in the league's premier national showcase on Christmas Day. Now let's just hope all their players make it there healthy.
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Phoenix Suns
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
When: Nov. 6, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Why: Is November too early to tank? Neither the Suns nor Nets has any interest in winning a lot of games this season, as the Marvin Bagley sweepstakes heat up. Still, it will be intriguing to watch Devin Booker and D'Angelo Russell go back and forth as they've both been handed the reigns to their team at a very young age.
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Portland Trail Blazers
Opponent: Houston Rockets
When: Dec. 9, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Why: Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum vs. Chris Paul and James Harden? That's two of the league's best backcourts going head to head in an up-tempo matchup that good lead to a 300-point game. Yes please.
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Sacramento Kings
Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
When: Oct. 26, 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Golden 1 Arena, Sacramento, California
Why: DeMarcus Cousins hoped that the Pelicans played his former team in the first game of the season. He didn't get his wish, but it's pretty darn close. The Kings don't have a lot to play for this season, but the crowd will certainly be out in full force to boo their temperamental former star.
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San Antonio Spurs
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
When: Nov. 2, 8 p.m. ET
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Why: The Spurs could have been the Warriors' only threat of last year's playoffs, but Kawhi Leonard went down with an injury during Game 1 that kept him out of the rest of the series. This game will give us a glimpse of whether or not the Spurs are true challengers in the West.
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Toronto Raptors
Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
When: Jan. 11, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
Why: After taking the Cavs to six games in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors had a disappoint performance against Cleveland this past postseason -- getting swept in embarrassing fashion. Toronto returned their key pieces and a win at home would do wonders for the group's confidence once the postseason rolls around.
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Utah Jazz
Opponent: Boston Celtics
When: March 28, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Why: It's one of the last games of the year, but it might be the most important. Gordon Hayward will return to Utah for the first time in a Celtics uniform, and it probably won't be pretty. As long as Hayward plays, this is must-watch NBA entertainment.
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Washington Wizards
Opponent: Boston Celtics
When: Dec. 25, 5:30 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Why: Celtics-Wizards has developed into one of the best rivalries in the NBA, with the teams going to a dramatic Game 7 in last season's playoffs. The next iteration will take place on Christmas Day on national TV -- we wouldn't want it any other way.
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