AN EARLY LIST OF NBA GAMES TO WATCH
The NBA released its upcoming schedule on Monday, and here are some rematches, homecomings and other games to watch this season:
FINALS REMATCHES
Toronto at Golden State, March 5 Golden State at Toronto, March 16 It may be a while before the Raptors and Warriors meet up and recreate — sort of — the 2019 NBA Finals. The Raptors won’t have Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, while the Warriors will be without Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala. It’s possible that by March, Klay Thompson will be recovered from his ACL tear.
WHERE'S KAWHI ...
Toronto at L.A. Clippers, Nov. 11 L.A. Clippers at Toronto, Dec. 11 It’s likely that when the Raptors reunite with the 2019 NBA Finals MVP, Leonard will get his championship ring — along with one last round of applause from the Raptors’ faithful — during the December trip to Toronto.
LAKERS-CLIPPERS RIVALRY
The battle for L.A. could be the battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. They’ll play on opening night, Oct. 22; Christmas; Jan. 28; and March 4.
MVP SHOWDOWN
NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks face now-former MVP James Harden and the Houston Rockets on Oct. 24 in Houston. They won’t play again until March 25 in Milwaukee.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK-THUNDER
The Houston guard will face Oklahoma City as an opponent for the first time on Oct. 28, and travel to OKC for the first time on Jan. 9.
ANTHONY DAVIS-PELICANS
Now with the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis will see his former team for the first time when he travels to New Orleans on Nov. 27.
KYRIE IRVING-CELTICS
Brooklyn’s new point guard will return to Boston on Nov. 27 for the first time as an opponent since leaving the Celtics.
KEMBA WALKER-HORNETS
He returns to Charlotte for the first time on Nov. 7, when Boston visits the Hornets.
JIMMY BUTLER-SIXERS
The new Heat forward will have a slew of reunions, including Oct. 27, when Miami is in Minnesota, and Nov. 23, when the Heat visit Philly.