On Tuesday, the NBA officially released the intriguing and explosive matchups for the coming 2010-2011 season. Each match has its own storyline due to the eventful free agent season. A lot of marquee players have shifted teams, and we all know what happened at "The Decision".
The 2010-2011 will officially open on a classic evening-doubleheader on Oct. 26 at 730ET. The opening match will pit the revamp Miami Heat led by Dwayne Wade, Lebron James and Chris Bosh against the defending Eastern Conference champions Boston Celtics bannered by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The second game will feature the two-time defending NBA champions LA Lakers against the Houston Rockets. This season would start the quest of the LA Lakers for a three-peat while the Rockets will mark the return of All-Star center Yao Ming who is on track to recuperate from his injuries.
Another blockbuster match is also scheduled on Christmas Day wherein the Boston Celtics will face the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat meets the LA Lakers. These four teams are perceived as the top dogs in their respective conference. Among these four teams, each of them has the chance to land a spot in the 2011 NBA Finals.
The basketball handicappers have installed the newly improved Miami Heat as the favorites to win the Eastern Conference championship. The Heat is also heavily favored to beat the LA Lakers in the 2011 NBA Finals if the two teams will ever meet.
Here's a list of 2010-2011 NBA Primetime Matchups that you shouldn't miss:
| Date | Time | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 26 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Heat at Celtics |
| Oct. 26 | 10:30 p.m. ET | Rockets at Lakers |
| Oct. 27 | 8 p.m. ET | Bulls at Thunder |
| Oct. 27 | 10:30 p.m. ET | Blazers at Clippers |
| Oct. 28 | 8 p.m. ET | Wizards at Magic |
| Oct. 28 | 10:30 p.m. ET | Suns at Jazz |
| Oct. 29 | 8 p.m. ET | Magic at Heat |
| Oct. 29 | 10:30 p.m. ET | Lakers at Suns |
| Oct. 30 | 8:30 p.m. ET | Nuggets at Rockets |
| Oct. 31 | 7 p.m. ET | Jazz at Thunder |
| Nov. 1 | 8 p.m. ET | Blazers at Bulls |
| Nov. 2 | TBD | First Fan Night game |
| Dec. 25 | Noon ET | Bulls at Knicks |
| Dec. 25 | 2:30 p.m. ET | Celtics at Magic |
| Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. ET | Heat at Lakers |
| Dec. 25 | 8 p.m. ET | Nuggets at Thunder |
| Dec. 25 | 10:30 p.m. ET | Blazers at Warriors |
| Jan. 17, 2011 | 1 p.m. ET | Bulls at Grizzlies |
| Jan. 17, 2011 | 4 p.m. ET | Kings at Hawks |
| Jan. 17, 2011 | 8 p.m. ET | Magic at Celtics |
| Jan. 17, 2011 | 10:30 p.m. ET | Thunder at Lakers |
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