2013-2014 Official NBA Thread

[Al Bundy]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...4-nba-schedule

With the Schedule released today, I figured it would be a good time to start the thread.

The NBA released its 2013-2014 schedule on Tuesday in a televised special on NBATV alongside a release on NBA.com and its team websites.

The season kicks off Tuesday, October 29th as Miami hosts the Chicago Bulls in Derrick Rose's expected return to the court. Then it's the Battle of LA as the Lakers host the Clippers. It could be the return of Kobe Bryant from his Achilles injury he suffered last spring, and will be the regular season debut of Doc Rivers as the Clippers' newest head coach.

It's a massive gamble by the NBA, considering Rose's struggles returning from his ACL injury suffered in the 2012 playoffs and Bryant's more recent Achilles surgery. If those players were to miss the opening night, it's going to make for a very underwhelming opening night of basketball, regardless of the markets involved for ratings.

Opening week continues on Thursday with the Bulls hosting the Knicks in what is likely to be Rose's return to the United Center in the regular season. The Knicks will be on a back to back, opening the season on Wednesday vs. the Bucks. Thursday night the revamped Warriors visit the Clippers, who are clearly the hot team, with two national appearances in the first three days.

Opening week concludes Friday with the Nets' home opener vs. the Heat, followed by another Lakers home game, this time vs. the defending Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs.

On the NBA's biggest regular season day, Christmas Day, starts with the Nets hosting Chicago, followed by the scoring-champ rematch of Carmelo Anthony vs. Kevin Durant as the Thunder visit Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. Then in the main event, the Heat play the Lakers at Staples Center. Dwight Howard joins the Christmas fun as the Rockets travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs. And in the night cap, the Clippers visit Oracle Arena to take on Steph Curry and the Warriors.

Monday, January 20th continues the NBA's tradition of making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a huge basketball event, with four games on the schedule. Brooklyn travels across the bridge to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, followed by the Grizzlies hosting the Pelicans, the Lakers taking on the Bulls at the United Center, and the Pacers facing the Warriors in the bay to cap off the night.

The Lakers first meet Dwight Howard on November 13th in Houston, and again on January 14th. They first host Howard at Staples Center on February 19th, and again on April 8th.

The NBA Finals rematches occur on January 26th in Miami and March 6th in San Antonio. Will Gregg Popovich rest his starters? It's not a back to back, as the Spurs face Atlanta on the 24th, but it is in the middle of a three-game road trip.

Despite the departure of Dwight Howard, the Lakers keep the max number of nationally televised (non-NBA TV) games in the league at 25, tied with the Knicks and Heat. The Clippers have 21 nationally televised games, while the defending Western Champs, the Spurs, only have 15. The Bulls jump to 24 national games, with the league banking on Rose's return to carry audiences. The Thunder also feature on national TV 24 times.

Houston, with newly-signed Dwight Howard and James Harden, feature 20 games on national television, a pretty low number given the star power. The Mavericks won the NBA title in 2011, and now have just eight national TV appearances. The Warriors meanwhile jump to 17 games, while Eastern Conference finalist Indiana only appears 10 time next season. To put that in perspective, the Denver Nuggets appear 13 times.

The rest of the schedule is at the link.

[KC_Connection]

Miami then loses to Atlanta. Nobody cares about the #1 seed, it's like they're trying to actively lose it.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Miami then loses to Atlanta. Nobody cares about the #1 seed, it's like they're trying to actively lose it.

Does it really matter that much to Miami? Granted they should have put it way tonight but it meant more to Atlanta to clinch.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Miles

Does it really matter that much to Miami? Granted they should have put it way tonight but it meant more to Atlanta to clinch.

LeBron can beat anybody anywhere but it always helps to play at home late in the playoffs.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

LeBron can beat anybody anywhere but it always helps to play at home late in the playoffs.

Agree there. It's an easier path but I still don't think the top seed matters much. Indy in it's current form would be pressing for a playoff seed in the west.

[Al Bundy]

Hell of a game going on in Portland

[Al Bundy]

Lillard with the flop of all flops gets the call and hits the game sealing free throws.

[mcaj22]

big game tomorrow between the Grizz and Suns

[KevB]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

big game tomorrow between the Grizz and Suns

Grizz need to win one of their last two to get in. Will be an intense game, as it's a must win for Phoenix.

[Al Bundy]

Andrew Bogut out indefinitely with a fractured rib. Yikes.

— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) April 15, 2014

[KevB]

Originally Posted by KevB

Grizz need to win one of their last two to get in. Will be an intense game, as it's a must win for Phoenix.

It was a heck of a game, but the Grizz made the plays at the end to win. Dragic with a huge turnover that led to a ZBo lay-in and a 4 pt lead with 40 seconds. Sad that the Suns aren't going to make the playoffs when teams like the Hawks will be playing this weekend.

Now I need the Grizz to go beat the Mavs at home on Wednesday to avoid the Spurs.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by KevB

It was a heck of a game, but the Grizz made the plays at the end to win. Dragic with a huge turnover that led to a ZBo lay-in and a 4 pt lead with 40 seconds. Sad that the Suns aren't going to make the playoffs when teams like the Hawks will be playing this weekend.

Now I need the Grizz to go beat the Mavs at home on Wednesday to avoid the Spurs.

Yeah. It was a great game. I picked a good one for my first NBA game I attended. Not the result I wanted but really proud of the Suns season. They had one of those deals were a blindfolded little boy was reunited w his dad back from Afgahnistan. Got real dusty inside the arena somehow.

[dirk digler]

The Heat must not be too concerned about the Pacers after laying down last night and giving up the #1 seed. They also avoid playing the Nets or Bulls in the 2nd round.

Probably a very good decision and they can rest Wade longer since there is no need to play him against the Bobcats and Raptors\Wizards.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by KevB

Now I need the Grizz to go beat the Mavs at home on Wednesday to avoid the Spurs.

I would be elated if that happened.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by KevB

My very early predictions for the season:

West
1. Clippers (depth and Doc allow for excellent regular season)
2. Spurs (consumate pro organization, Leonard emerges as front line guy)
3. Rockets (very dangerous if perimeter guys all pan outParsons/Caspi/Garcia)
4. Grizzlies (still good, but transitioning a bit as ZBo ages)
5. OKC (will struggle without Westbrook, but experience helps young guys)
6. GSW (Most fun team to watch in the league)
7. New Orleans (Davis about to become a star, added lots of talent)
8. TWolves (Love and Rubio healthy for full season)

OKC vs. Spurs in West Finals, with OKC prevailing (Big 3 on a mission, and young guys contribute just enough to get past the Spurs)

East
1. Bulls (Thibs will drive this team hard - Rose back and Butler emerged)
2. Heat (biding time until playoffs)
3. Pacers (very solid team, can they be elite?)
4. Nets (who knows how this plays out)
5. Knicks (not enough horses to get into top 4)
6. Cleveland (youth matures and becomes playoff team)
7. Atlanta (solid group, bottom of East is poor)
8. Washington (best of the remaining mediocre to terrible East teams)

Bulls vs. Heat in East Finals, Bulls win (Heat just worn down after 3 seasons of deep runs)

OKC vs. Bulls, with Bulls edging them in 7 (OKC weakness in the middle and lack of depth is their undoing)

Looking back at my pre-season predictions.....not bad. Injuries played a role in my misses. 6 out of 8 playoff teams in each conference. Portland and Toronto were the big surprises, as I had both out of the playoffs. Rose going down was a blow to the Bulls. New Orleans was decimated by injuries, but I did get the Anthony Davis part right, guy is a monster already.

I don't see the Bulls winning the East without Rose/Deng, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. OKC/SA is still the likely WCF matchup, but you'd have to give the Spurs the edge the way they've played this season.

Should be a great playoffs, can't wait.

[Snapplez]

Originally Posted by KevB

Looking back at my pre-season predictions.....not bad. Injuries played a role in my misses. 6 out of 8 playoff teams in each conference. Portland and Toronto were the big surprises, as I had both out of the playoffs. Rose going down was a blow to the Bulls. New Orleans was decimated by injuries, but I did get the Anthony Davis part right, guy is a monster already.

I don't see the Bulls winning the East without Rose/Deng, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. OKC/SA is still the likely WCF matchup, but you'd have to give the Spurs the edge the way they've played this season.

Should be a great playoffs, can't wait.

OKC swept the Spurs. Regular season ain't everythin, but the Spurs matchup horribly vs. OKC