The 2018-19 NBA schedule is finally here. The league released the games, dates, times and TV info for each team on Friday starting with opening night games between the 76ers at the Celtics, followed by the Thunder at the NBA champion Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 16. There are plenty of great games for each team, so let's take a look at each team's highlights from the schedule release. Click here for the entire 2018-19 NBA Schedule The new era of Hawks basketball with Trae Young will start on Wednesday, Oct. 17, when they head north to New York City to take on the Knicks. Atlanta will welcome back longtime Hawks legend (not really) Carmelo Anthony on Tuesday, March 19, when they host Anthony's new squad, the Rockets. For the second straight season, the Celtics will play in the very first game. This time around, they'll take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, Oct. 16 in a rematch of last season's second-round playoff matchup. A few days later, on Friday, Oct. 19 we'll see what could be a preview of the Eastern Conference finals, as the Celtics travel to Toronto to take on Kawhi Leonard and the new-look Raptors. On Christmas, the Celtics will once again host the Sixers in a marquee national TV game. Both of these teams played on Christmas last season as well, though not against each other. The Nets' first game of the season will on the road against the Pistons on Wednesday, Oct. 17. On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the Hornets will get their 2018-19 campaign underway with a tough test at home against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. After their worst season in over a decade, the Bulls had quite a busy summer. They'll get a chance to showcase their new squad in a national TV matchup with the 76ers on Thursday, Oct. 18. Jabari Parker will make his first trip back to Milwaukee when the Bulls head north to take on the Bucks on Friday, Nov. 16. We won't have to wait long for LeBron James' return to Cleveland. The Lakers will travel to play the Cavs on Wednesday, Nov. 21, just a little over a month into the season. Luka Doncic's debut with the Mavericks will come on Wednesday, Oct. 17, when his club takes on the Suns and No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton. The Mavs will be on the road in San Antonio for what could be Dirk Nowitzki's final regular-season game. They'll take on the Spurs on Wednesday, April 10. The Nuggets' quest to end their playoff drought will begin on the road, as they travel to L.A. to take on the Clippers on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Dwane Casey's first regular season game in charge of the Pistons will be at home on Wednesday, Oct. 17 when they welcome the Nets. The Warriors will once again play on opening night, and this time it will be a rivalry game as they take on Russell Westbrook and the Thunder on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Prior to this game, the Warriors will receive their championship rings. Later on opening week, the Warriors will travel to Salt Lake City to go up against one of the league's rising stars: Donovan Mitchell. That game is set for Friday, Oct. 19. In what should come as little surprise, the Warriors will also headline the Christmas Day schedule. Once again it will be a matchup with LeBron James, but this time he'll be rocking a Lakers uniform. Another of the Warriors' meetings with LeBron and the Lakers is set for a holiday showcase. The second one is set for MLK Day in Los Angeles. It's been an interesting offseason for the Rockets, and we'll get to see how their new additions -- including Carmelo Anthony fit together on Wednesday, Oct. 17, when they open their season against the Pelicans. A few days later, on Saturday, Oct. 20 the Rockets will travel to Los Angeles for a clash against LeBron James and his new-look Lakers. The very next day, Sunday, Oct. 21, the Rockets will return to Staples Center for another national TV game, this time against the Clippers -- who will also have a very different looking roster. Another Christmas, another game for James Harden and Co. Interestingly, they'll once again be taking on the Thunder, who they lost to last Christmas. As one of the league's best teams, the Rockets have a number of marquee dates, and that includes MLK Day, when they'll travel to Philly to take on Ben Simmons and the Sixers. The Pacers made a number of additions this summer, and their new squad will get their first test on Wednesday, Oct. 17 against the Grizzlies. Now that DeAndre Jordan has left for the Mavericks, the Lob City era is completely over for the Clippers. We'll get a first national TV look at their new direction on Sunday, Oct. 21 when they host the Rockets. LeBron James will make his return to Cleveland on Nov. 21 when the Cavaliers play host to the Lakers for the only time this season, according to a report. Story The NBA announced LeBron James will make his highly-anticipated Lakers debut on Thursday, Oct. 18 at Portland. Two days later, on Saturday, Oct. 20 James will play his first game in Los Angeles, when the Lakers play host to the Rockets. As expected, James and the Lakers will be featured on Christmas Day when they face the Warriors. It is the fourth consecutive season a team with James will face the Warriors on Dec. 25. As the place of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, it's only fitting that the Grizzlies would host a game on MLK Day. This season, they'll be taking on the Pelicans. The Heat will have a tough start to the season, as they'll begin with a road back-to-back. First, they'll take on the Magic on Wednesday, Oct. 17, then they'll travel to Washington D.C. to play the Wizards on Thursday, Oct. 18. In their first national TV appearance of the season, the Bucks will be at home on ESPN to battle another of the East's top teams: the 76ers. The longest Christmas Day drought in the NBA is over. For the first time in 41 years, the Bucks will suit up on Dec. 25. And they'll do it at The World's Most Famous Arena, where they'll meet the Knicks. Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins will start their second season together on Wednesday, Oct. 17 with a road game against the Spurs. DeMarcus Cousins is gone, but the Pelicans still have Anthony Davis. And we'll get to see him and the rest of their new squad, including Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton, for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 17 in Houston. Additionally, the Pelicans will be showcased on MLK Day, with an evening matchup against the Grizzlies. Game one for the Knicks, and their top draft pick Kevin Knox, will be on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at home. They'll be facing Trae Young and the Hawks. The Knicks' power as a premier brand in the league has been proved once again. Even though Kristaps Porzingis won't be healthy, and the team is expected to struggle regardless of Porzingis' health, the Knicks have once again gotten a Christmas Game. This season, they'll host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. Additionally, the Knicks will have a MLK Day game, as they'll take on the Thunder at Madison Square Garden. The Thunder surprised everyone by re-signing Paul George this summer. But they won't have much time to celebrate, as they'll immediately be put to the test on opening night when they take on the Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 16. For the second straight season, the Thunder will get to play on Christmas. And for the second straight season, they'll go up against the Rockets in a Western Conference showdown. The Magic's first game will be an all-Florida battle against the Heat on Wednesday, Oct. 17. This is the second straight season those two have faced off to start the season. The 76ers proved last season that they're going to be a problem for the league for many years to come.<doc-sep>We've already gotten a sneak peek at the 2018-19 NBA schedule, and now we're just a few hours away from getting the entire thing. During a live reveal show, the league will unveil the entire schedule for the upcoming season, which means you'll be able to mark down every single one of your team's games and start planning accordingly. The team that will undoubtedly draw the most attention is the Los Angeles Lakers, whose new face of the franchise LeBron James expects to take them to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Also under close watch will be the defending back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors, along with the Houston Rockets, who nearly dethroned the champs last season before adding Carmelo Anthony to the mix this offseason. But first we need to find out the schedule. Here's how to watch: 2018-19 NBA schedule release show Date: Friday, August 10 Friday, August 10 Time: 4 p.m. ET 4 p.m. ET TV: NBA TV NBA TV Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free) More info on the show, via the NBA: Casey Stern will host alongside analyst Dennis Scott. The show will also feature contributions from additional Turner Sports NBA analysts – including Shaquille O'Neal and Reggie Miller – among other personalities from around the NBA, as they offer immediate reaction to the biggest games and storylines for the upcoming season. The show will be streamed on NBA.com and the NBA App. The entire 2018-19 schedule will be posted on the league's site and official app in conjunction with tomorrow's show. It should be another entertaining, intriguing NBA season with no shortage of drama. Once we know the schedule, we can start circling all the important dates to make sure we're in front of a screen when they go down.<doc-sep>The NBA released its full 2018-19 schedule on Friday, which means the beginning of the season is closer than you think. Here are 15 intriguing games you should mark on your calendar right away. Thunder at Warriors (Tuesday, Oct. 16, TNT) This is a perfect opening-night matchup, and it has very little to do with Kevin Durant going up against his old team. That's already a tired story. What we have here is an OKC team that has the talent to be a fringe championship contender, a team that is almost perfectly equipped to defend the Warriors, led by a guy in Russell Westbrook who takes these kinds of statement games deadly seriously. This has fireworks written all over it. OKC went 2-1 against Golden State last season. They'll be doing everything they can to spoil ring night in the Bay. Philadelphia at Boston (Tuesday, Oct. 16, TNT) Last season it didn't take long to realize that Philly and Boston were, are, the future of the Eastern Conference. For Boston, the future could very well be right now. The Celtics are good enough to win the whole thing next year, no question. Philly still has a ways to go, and while the first game of the season can only tell you so much, it will be interesting to see how these two match up. There's a very good chance we'll be seeing them square off in the playoffs, perhaps with a trip to the Finals on the line. Plus, who isn't salivating to see if Markelle Fultz has somehow turned himself into a functional shooter over the offseason? This will be our first glimpse. Lakers at Cavaliers (Wednesday, Nov. 21, ESPN) Do we really need to say much more than LeBron will be returning to Cleveland for the first time in a Lakers jersey? This will be must-see TV. That said, it won't be like when LeBron returned in a Miami Heat uniform. That was toxic. LeBron left on much better terms this time, having done what he promised he would do in delivering Cleveland a championship and also leaving behind an absolutely amazing school for at-risk kids in Akron, which his foundation is sinking some $41 million into -- including paying for full tuition to the University of Akron for every kid who graduates. Please celebrate this man, Ohioans. I know you will. Lakers at Warriors (Tuesday, Dec. 25, ABC and ESPN) Give LeBron credit for going to the Western Conference, where he'll no longer be able to avoid the Warriors until the Finals. The Lakers are not good enough to contend for a title as currently constructed, but they're clearly back as a marquee team, and besides that, LeBron playing for anyone against the Warriors is basically an NBA holiday. I keep thinking about Game 1 of last year's Finals, when LeBron scored 51 and nearly single-handedly beat Golden State. This Lakers team is better than last year's Cavs team. Through that lens, I don't think anyone is ruling out what a LeBron-led Lakers team could do if everything is clicking come playoff time. Raptors at Celtics (Friday, Nov. 16, ESPN) The NBA pitted Boston and Philadelphia on opening night because Philadelphia is a bigger TV draw, but to me, Toronto is the Celtics' main competition to go to the Finals. Like everyone, I'm fascinated to see what this team looks like with Kawhi Leonard, and what Kawhi looks like in general. The Raptors have a chance to be really, really good if Leonard is back to his old self relatively quickly, which is why I'm more excited about the second matchup between these two. Give Toronto and Leonard some time. Let's see what they look like against an elite opponent when they're closer to a fully realized version of themselves. Mavericks at Hawks (Wednesday, Oct. 24, ESPN) This is my Super Bowl. I could not be more excited to watch Trae Young and Luka Doncic, who of course were traded for one another on draft night. Barring something unforeseen, I will likely watch every one of their games, so watching them go against one another is a cherry on top. Personally, I think they are both going to be electric. I think Doncic is the safer bet to be a an All-Star sooner, but Young is more must-see. Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk told me they will turn Young loose and let him fire away as he pleases, from wherever he pleases, and he's also a dazzling passer. Do not step away from your televisions, people. Spurs at Raptors (Friday, Feb. 22, ESPN ) This one goes both ways with Kawhi facing off against San Antonio and DeMar DeRozan going against the Raptors. I'm more intrigued by the game in Toronto because DeRozan is going to get a hero's welcome and it will be cool to see. DeRozan was not happy about being traded, which is understandable, but he has nothing to be sour about. Kawhi is a better player than he is, and the Raptors gave him a $139 million contract that he was never able to fully deliver on. This, as they say, is a business, and DeRozan wasn't even playing well enough to get of the bench in the fourth quarter with Toronto's season on the line in last year's playoffs. That said, he gave a lot to Toronto. He was their best player since Vince Carter. Give him the standing ovation he deserves. Raptors at Spurs (Thursday, Jan. 3, TNT) Same team, flip the city. Kawhi gong back to San Antonio is going to be quite the scene. His exit was so ugly, and so strange. I don't think anyone has the full details of what went on. I imagine there will be a lot of boos and taunts every time Leonard touches the ball and a lot of cheering if and when he screws up, and I cannot wait to watch the expression on Leonard's face change not one single iota. Warriors at Rockets (Thursday, Nov. 15, TNT) I know the regular season doesn't mean anything to the Warriors at this point, but the Rockets will be out to prove they are the better team and would've eliminated Golden State last year if not for Chris Paul's hamstring injury. The first time they meet up will still have some of the bitterness from that series in the air. After that, both these teams will be setting their sights on the playoffs. Nuggets at Celtics (Monday, March 18, NBA League Pass) Isaiah Thomas never got his honorary night last season in Boston, and he will surely get a monster standing ovation this year. With the way last year went for IT with injuries and trades, it's easy to forget the guy was an MVP-level stud for Boston in 2016-17. He was on track to finally get his big payday when the hip injury, and subsequent trades to Cleveland and then L.A., happened, and his value has plummeted. He got a one-year deal with Denver and he says he's ready to play with that same chip he's always had on his shoulder and, once again, prove people wrong. You have to be rooting for him to find something close to his old form. Either way, he can help Denver, which is one of the exciting teams to keep any eye on this year. Warriors at Celtics (Saturday, Jan. 26, ABC) These are the two best teams in the league, and barring injury, the safe bet to meet up in the Finals. Personally, I think Boston has what it takes to beat Golden State in a seven-game series right now. No more development needed. Boston has played the Warriors tough throughout this era, but they've never matched up better than they do with this year's squad with defensive length and playmakers everywhere. For everyone wanting the Warriors' reign to come to an end, Boston feels like your best chance. Rockets at Thunder (Thursday, Nov. 8) To me, the Thunder are every bit Houston's equal on paper.<doc-sep>
The full 2018-19 NBA schedule is out, so we can all start planning our lives around regular-season games. Here are 18 takeaways after the entire schedule was released Friday: 1. The schedule is more player-friendly, which is good news for everybody. According to Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania, teams will have an average of 13.3 back-to-backs, down from 14.4 last season, and nobody will have to play eight games in 12 nights anymore. Once again, there isn't a single instance of a team playing four games in five nights. Also, there are only 300 "rest advantage" games, in which one team is on the second game of a back-to-back and the other isn't, down from 327 last season, per NBA.com's John Schuhmann. 2. The Trail Blazers will travel more miles than any team in the NBA, but 1,000 fewer than they did last season, per Casey Holdahl of the team's official website. They only have 12 back-to-backs, however. (No team has fewer than 12, and no team has more than 15.) 3. Only three teams have 15 back-to-backs: the Wizards, Hornets and Knicks. 4. LeBron James' Lakers are going to be on TV a ton, which should surprise absolutely nobody. They open the season on Oct. 18 in Portland (TNT) and play their first home game on Oct. 20 against Houston (ESPN). All in all they have 14 ESPN games, 13 TNT games and five ABC games, and they will be a part of the league's Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Day specials. Last season, James' Cavaliers had 10 ESPN games, 12 TNT games and five ABC games. 5. Lakers vs. Warriors is the league's new marquee matchup. Their first game, in Oakland, will be on ABC and ESPN on Christmas. They will also meet on Jan. 21 in Los Angeles (TNT), Feb. 2 in Oakland (ABC) and April 4 in Los Angeles (TNT). 6. LeBron will return to Cleveland on Nov. 21 on ESPN. He will surely get a warm reception. Other love-ins: DeMar DeRozan's return to Toronto with the Spurs (Feb. 22, ESPN), Tony Parker's return to San Antonio with the Hornets (Jan. 14, NBA TV). 7. Kawhi Leonard will all but certainly be booed in his first game in San Antonio as member of the Raptors (Jan. 3, TNT). I'm also interested in how Paul George is treated when the Thunder visit the new-look Lakers (Jan. 2, ESPN). 8. The Jazz are getting some respect. While they are still not a mainstay on national TV, they have seven ESPN games, including an opening-week game against the Warriors (Oct. 19) and Christmas against the Blazers, plus three TNT games. 9. The Celtics-76ers rivalry is real, and the league and its broadcast partners know it. Not only do they play on Christmas on ABC, they face each other on opening night (TNT) and their other two meetings are on national TV (Feb. 12, TNT; March 20, ESPN). In addition to Christmas, Boston has four other ABC games, 10 ESPN games and 12 TNT games, while Philadelphia has five other ABC games, 10 ESPN games and 11 TNT games. 10. My pick for the two top teams in the East, the Celtics and Raptors, will meet for the first time pretty quickly: Oct. 19 on ESPN. Their other meetings will all be on national TV (Nov. 16, ESPN; Jan. 16, ESPN; Feb. 26, TNT). 11. The first Western Conference finals rematch between the Warriors and Rockets will take place on Nov. 15 (TNT). Their other three games: Jan. 3 (TNT), Feb. 23 (ABC), March 13 (ESPN). 12. How the Wizards have fallen. They have five ESPN games and three TNT games. Last year, they had a combined 18 games on ABC, ESPN and TNT. 13. Luka Doncic and Trae Young will be forever linked because of the draft-night trade between the Mavericks and Hawks. We don't have to wait that long for their first head-to-head matchup (Oct. 24, ESPN). 14. One more notable rookie clash: Doncic will begin his career in Phoenix against No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton (Oct. 17, ESPN). 15. If the Mavericks do not drastically overachieve and make the playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki's last NBA game looks like it will be on April 10 in San Antonio. If the Spurs underperform and miss the playoffs, it could be Manu Ginobili's last game as well. 16.