NBA 2016-17 schedule release: The 5 must-see under-the-radar games
In a sign that the 2016-17 season is just around the corner, the NBA released the entire regular season schedule on Thursday. And while the schedules of the Golden “super team” Warriors and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers definitely warrant your attention, as is the case every year, a myriad number of other games are worthy of your viewing.
Several games may have overlooked on first glance, so with that in mind here are five under-the-radar games to add to your iCal or Google calendar:
Oct. 25: Jazz vs. Blazers, 10 p.m. ET
Fire up League Pass on the first night of the regular season to tune in for a matchup of two of the best young teams in the NBA. Utah retooled their roster in the offseason and are expected to be a force in the West. Portland meanwhile are are largely bringing back the same roster that made the second round last season yet with one of the best backcourts in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the Blazers should be a ton of fun next season. You should mainly watch this game because Lillard will likely go off since this is the only non-national televised game of the night and he always comes through after getting snubbed.
Nov. 5: Timberwolves vs Thunder, 6 p.m. ET
The young but talented Timberwolves taking on the Russell Westbrook-lead Thunder is the perfect way to kick off your Saturday night. The Durant-less Thunder should still be a force to be reckoned with in the West and the Timberwolves are all sorts of exciting with Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. Dunks upon dunks will be definitely be thrown in this one. Plus the Timberwolves are now coached by the hoarse voiced Tom Thibodeau, who will have his team playing hard all 48 minutes.
Dec. 9: Raptors vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET
This will be the first time the Raptors and Celtics face off against each and after Jae Crowder’s ” we’re not worried about” Toronto comments, Kyle Lowry and Co. should be fired up to do battle against Boston. Crowder can talk a big game though as the Celtics signed Al Horford in the offseason and are poised to be one of the top teams in the East. It may not be a true rivalry but Toronto and Boston will be fighting for Atlantic Division supremacy throughout the season and their first matchup should be quite intriguing.
Feb. 23: Nuggets vs. Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Mike Malone bowl in late February is definitely a game the layman will choose to ignore but this could turn into a fun watch. DeMarcus Cousins by himself, is always enthralling and then there is Denver, who are stealthily talented with Danillo Gallinari, Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Will Barton. Also this game features the Serbian gangster Jusuf Nurkic, who once taunted Cousins and lived to tell the tale.
March 27: Pistons vs. Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Barring any injuries, Detroit facing off against New York in the later half of the season could be a matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the East. It also features an amusing point guard matchup between Reggie Jackson and Derrick Rose, a head-to-head of a rising star against a former star looking to redeem his career. Plus, Brandon Jennings, who is likely a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, should be playing with some extra motivation against his former team.