The NBA just released it’s schedule for the 2021/22 season which would see the league reverting back to the old format prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
The new season starts on October 19 and 82 games are to be played by all 30 clubs. The regular season ends in mid-April and the postseason will run all the way until June to where we’ll declare a new champion.
From former teammates facing off to rivalries that will be rekindled, fans can look forward to a fun season ahead since there’ll be no shortage of fireworks given the high-profile games that are on the menu.
Read on below as we break down the most exciting matchups with the five must-see games in the 2021/22 calendar.
October 19 – Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks
The defending champions kick off their campaign by hosting the Nets in what will be a game filled with NBA 2021 highlights.
This is a rematch of last year’s hard-fought second round series between these two teams, and one can argue that this is a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.
In the said series, the depleted Nets lost to the Bucks in Game 7 and the latter went all the way to win their second title in franchise history.
The memory of the loss is still fresh for the Nets. And with a healthier group this time, they’ll be out for revenge by aiming to spoil the Bucks’ championship celebration.
October 19 – Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers
Another opener to look out for is the game between the Warriors and the Lakers at Staples Center.
This is going to be the first match where the Lakers unveil their new superteam of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook and we’ll get a glimpse to see how this trio will work.
On the other hand, the Warriors are going to be eager to send a statement that their championship window hasn’t closed yet.
Unfortunately for Golden State, Klay Thompson won’t be around since he’s still recovering from his injury. And according to reports, the sharpshooter is targeting for a return on Christmas day.
Familiarity is the theme here especially for LeBron James and Steph Curry who have battled countless times in the NBA Finals, and that in itself makes this affair a must-see on TV.
November 10 – Detroit Pistons @ Houston Rockets
Two of the league’s top rookies are to be featured at the Toyota Center on November 10 as Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green square off for the first time in the professional ranks.
Here at SBOTOP, we explained why these two are some of the young studs to look out for and this game offers a glimpse of what to expect early on in their respective NBA careers.
Cunningham and Green come into rebuilding situations with the Pistons and the Rockets respectively. And although we don’t expect a lot of wins for their teams especially in their first year, the superstar potential from these two should give their fanbases a sense of optimism moving forward.
These two will fight for bragging rights to see who is the better rookie. After all, Cunningham and Green are two of the early leading candidates to win the Rookie of the Year award based on the NBA 2021 odds.
December 25 – Brooklyn Nets @ Los Angeles Lakers
In what might be a preview of the NBA Finals in the 2021/22 season, two of the early title favourites in the Lakers and the Nets are to lock horns on Christmas.
This game pits several former teammates against each other, with pundits jokingly calling this match as the battle of the exes.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving won a title in Cleveland, but the two aren’t exactly in great terms as of the moment. The same can be said for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who were teammates in Oklahoma City up until 2016.
Assuming both teams are healthy, fans are in for a huge treat since this affair is fit for the bright lights of Hollywood given the number of stars that will be present.
February 10 – Milwaukee Bucks @ Phoenix Suns
February 10 marks the first time that the Bucks and the Suns will clash since the 2021 NBA Finals.
Both teams are expected to contend for the championship this season and this game will serve as a good gauge for them right before the All-Star break.
The Suns, who lost in the said series, will have a huge chip on their shoulders so we can expect a raucous crowd over at the Footprint Center.
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