Atlanta Hawks
Vs. Denver Nuggets (Oct. 27): Atlanta opted not to re-sign Paul Millsap, who compiled four All-Star seasons with the team before joining the Nuggets in the offseason via free agency. The Hawks will likely pay some sort of tribute to their former star Millsap, who conveyed his anger that Atlanta did not even make him a contract offer.
For a franchise in full rebuild mode, Millsap’s return to Atlanta might be the only thing Hawks fans can get excited about this season.
Boston Celtics
Vs. Washington Wizards (Dec. 25): The Celtics host a Christmas Day game for the first time in 53 years when the Wizards visit TD Garden in a rematch of last year’s seven-game Eastern Conference semifinals series.
The two best point guards in the East — Washington’s John Wall and Boston’s Isaiah Thomas — take center stage in a rivalry that now includes both of the Morris twins — with Markieff Morris entering his second full season (acquired at the 2016 trade deadline) with the Wizards and Marcus Morris now a member of the Celtics.
Brooklyn Nets
Vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 2): Lakers president Magic Johnson chastised Nets point guard D’Angelo Russell after trading him to Brooklyn. Russell didn’t pan out as expected with the Lakers, something Johnson made clearafter dealing the guard. Johnson said the Lakers needed “a leader” and someone whom “players want to play with” and Russell apparently didn’t fit the bill on either accounts.
Russell gets the chance to make Johnson eat his words (at least for one night) and goes head-to-head against the guy who replaced him, Lonzo Ball.
Charlotte Hornets
Vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Dec. 9): Will the attention-seeking LaVar Ball, father of Lonzo Ball, make the trip for the Lakers’ only visit to Charlotte?
If so, it would be intriguing to see Lavar, who has manipulated the media into covering his every move, interact with Michael Jordan. Lavar — successfully boasting his way into the league’s limelight with his incessant, nonsensical trash-talking tirades and all — claimed he would have “killed” NBA legend Jordan in one-on-one. Jordan snickered at Lavar’s comment, saying he could defeat LaVar playing on just one leg.
Chicago Bulls
Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Feb. 9): Jimmy Butler returns to the United Center — this time as a visitor and a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Former Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is entering his third season as Minnesota’s coach and president of basketball operations, also makes his lone visit of the year to Chicago for what is the Bulls’ only scheduled nationally televised game of the season.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Vs. Golden State Warriors (Jan. 15): The Cavs look for redemption against the defending champion Golden State Warriors, who defeated Cleveland in a lopsided five-game NBA Finals last June.
Detroit Pistons
Vs. Charlotte Hornets (Oct. 18): Opening night against Charlotte in the Pistons’ new home court, Little Caesars Arena, should make for a boisterous atmosphere in downtown Detroit.
Indiana Pacers
Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 13): Expect boos when four-time All-Star Paul George returns to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. George demanded a trade and got his wish as the forward was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pacers and their fanbase are already geared up for George’s return to Indy.
Miami Heat
Vs. Boston Celtics (Oct. 28): Kelly Olynyk plays his first game against the franchise that drafted him back in 2013 after signing a four-year, $50 million contract with the Heat this offseason.
Miami faces Gordon Hayward, who chose to sign with the Celtics over the Heat this summer.
Milwaukee Bucks
Vs. Toronto Raptors (Jan. 5): The upstart Bucks get a chance early in the 2018 calendar year for revenge against the team that knocked them out of the postseason.
The Bucks hope to prove they are now on Toronto’s level.
New York Knicks
Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 13): LeBron James has put on a show at Madison Square Garden on multiple occasions, averaging 28.5 points per contest in New York’s home arena. MSG is the only arena where James has topped the 50-point plateau twice.
But the main story-line here is Kyrie Irving playing against the Knicks (assuming Irving is still on Cleveland’s roster come mid-November), a team that is reportedly on his wish list for trade destinations.
A minor subplot is Derrick Rose’s return to New York, where he played one season and registered 18 points and 4.4 assists per game before signing with the Cavs this offseason.
Orlando Magic
Vs. Miami Heat (Oct. 18): No contest stands out in particular on the schedule for the Magic, who look destined for another losing season, so opening night against the in-state rival Miami Heat might be the game to attend for Orlando fans.
Philadelphia 76ers
Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (March 24): The first overall pick in each of the past four NBA drafts — the 76ers’ Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons and Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins — will be in action for this contest featuring a bevy of young talent. Joel Embiid versus Towns could provide fireworks.
Toronto Raptors
Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Jan. 11): Cleveland has knocked Toronto out of the past two postseasons, as the Cavs swept the Raptors in the second-round last year.
It’s only a regular-season contest, but this game gives the Raptors a chance to see if they shortened any of the gap between themselves and the three-time reigning Eastern Conference champions.
Washington Wizards
Vs. Boston Celtics (Feb. 8): The Wizards host the team that defeated them in the East Semifinals for the first time in 2018.
The home team won every matchup (regular season and playoffs) last year.
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