Top 5 Games of 2012-2013 Schedule

By James Shim | Published July 27, 2012

After the NBA lockout cut the 2011-2012 season short to only 66 games, the NBA returns to its traditional 82 game regular season, as it officially released its 2012-2013 schedule on Thursday.

With the season set to begin on Tuesday, October 30, fans are already circling dates on their calendars. The NBA has once again created a schedule with great openers, thrillers, and great matchups between rivals. Of course, opening day is always a must-see, and this year is no different with three great matchups.

The season opens with the Washington Wizards facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a matchup that will showcase two young point guards in the league with John Wall and Kyrie Irving. In game two of the opening night of the NBA, Ray Allen will face his former team, the Boston Celtics as a member of the Miami Heat as they meet in South Beach. The Miami Heat will also receive their championship rings and banner. In the third and last game of the opening night, the Dallas Mavericks will face the Los Angeles Lakers, as newly acquired Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison make their debut with the Lakers.

Of course, opening night of the NBA is not the only day of basketball with attractive headlines. Here are the top five must watch games of the 2012-2013 season.

5) Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks, November 1.
As the formerly known New Jersey Nets open their new court in Brooklyn, what better matchup than their crosstown rival New York Knicks. Everyone knows that any New York team takes its rivalries seriously, and this is no different with the historic New York Knicks franchise. With the Brooklyn Nets making moves this summer, retaining Deron Williams as well as acquiring Joe Johnson, they pose a serious threat to the Knicks. However, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony look to ruin the Nets’ opening night.

4) Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat, January 27.
Ray Allen returns to Boston to play his former team. Once beloved in the city, Allen is now despised in the city of Boston for not only leaving the Celtics, but for leaving and joining LeBron James and the Heat. Let’s not forget that it was the Heat who have knocked the Celtics out of the playoffs the past two years. Although winning a championship in Boston when the “Big Three” formed back in 2008, don’t expect Boston fans to give Allen a heartwarming welcome when he visits the TD Bank Garden.

3) Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers, December 7.
A definite possible playoff matchup, this would mark the first time these two teams met since the Thunder bounced the Lakers out of the playoffs. The Lakers who look to have a more improved offense with the addition of Steve Nash, look to prove that they are still contenders to come out of the Western Conference. With a young Thunder team coming off a deep playoff run, it definitely gives them valuable experience for games against like the veteran Lakers. This game is sure to be a thriller, with a lot of physical play; and let’s not forget the elbow Metta World Peace threw at James Harden in the playoffs last season.

2) Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat, January 17.
The defending champions visit Los Angeles to face off against Kobe Bryant and the new point guard of the Lakers, Steve Nash. With the best point guard Kobe has ever played with in his NBA career as a Laker, a burden is lifted as Nash is capable of playmaking skills that will give Kobe, as well as Gasol and Bynum easier looks. Lebron James is arguably the best player in the league, and with the likes of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and newly acquired Ray Allen on his side, this game features a lot of star power on both sides. This game will either prove to be a NBA Finals preview, or just another over-hyped game of the regular season.

1) Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder, December 25.
Another Christmas Day gift from the league, the Thunder re-visit Miami since being eliminated by them in the NBA Finals. Regular season games do not mean much, but with the Thunder walking in and seeing the banner hanging above the rafters, you have to believe that there is some type of payback the Thunder would love to exert on the Heat. Expected to be a thriller, LeBron James and Kevin Durant will lead their teams to a rematch of the NBA finals, and might this be a preview of a Finals sequel between the two teams?