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.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

coonley got 6 steps before getting fouled but whatever

Lots of weird/bad calls in that game. I'll take it. Grizz weren't beating either SA or OKC, but they have better chance against OKC. Courtney Lee is terrible, and they have a gaping hole at SF. That said, Prince is decent defensively against KD because of his length. Conley really struggles with Westbrook though.

[Mr. Arrowhead]

Originally Posted by KevB

Lots of weird/bad calls in that game. I'll take it. Grizz weren't beating either SA or OKC, but they have better chance against OKC. Courtney Lee is terrible, and they have a gaping hole at SF. That said, Prince is decent defensively against KD because of his length. Conley really struggles with Westbrook though.

Ya true, was a heck of a game, that said neither of us probably dont have a chance in the 1st round. But who knows, crazy when the 8 seed has 49 wins.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Heat won't lose to the Nets. Pacers...they may have.

Probably not but the Nets players have said they match up well with Miami since both play small ball and both suck at rebounding. In the regular season they were 4-0 against the Heat and a combined 1-6 against the Pacers\Bulls.

But they may not make it past your Raptors. Good luck in the playoffs.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Probably not but the Nets players have said they match up well with Miami since both play small ball and both suck at rebounding. In the regular season they were 4-0 against the Heat and a combined 1-6 against the Pacers\Bulls.

But they may not make it past your Raptors. Good luck in the playoffs.

Again - see Bulls/Heat during DRose MVP season.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Again - see Bulls/Heat during DRose MVP season.

I understand I just said they match up well. I don't expect the Nets to beat the Heat. In fact I don't expect any team to beat the Heat except maybe the Spurs.

[Anyong Bluth]

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.

Bulls have been a surprise even though the East is an abortion. Still a strong performance for a team that hasn't been full strength for 2 full years- only missing their best player and former league MVP.

[TheNoob]

Im taking the Thunder taking the ship this year

[TEX]

Originally Posted by KC native

This Spurs team is a lot better than that team was.

And rested. No starter is averaging :30 mins a game and no player is in the top 100 in minutes played. Ironically Duncan is the top Spurs player on that list at # 102. Because of this, Pop has been able to go to and test a variety of lineups. They are talented, deep and rested.

Im pulling for the Rockets as I predicted a HOU / OKC Western Conf. Finals before the season, but to do that that the Rockets have to face the Spurs if they get past Portland. Even though the Rockets are 4-0 against the Spurs this season, I have little confidence they can beat them in a playoff series... I remember when the Rockets were a #6 seed and the Spurs were 4-0 against them in the regular season, and the Rockets took them out in 6 in route to their 2nd title. That Rockets team knew how to win in the playoffs like this Spurs team. Regular season means nothing...

[KC_Connection]

Playoff picks:

SAS over DAL in 4
OKC over MEM in 7
LAC over GS in 6
HOU over POR in 6

SAS over HOU in 5
OKC over LAC in 7

SAS over OKC in 7


IND over ATL in 5
MIA over CHA in 4
CHI over WAS in 6
BKN over TOR in 6

IND over CHI in 7
MIA over BKN in 5

MIA over IND in 7


MIA over SAS in 7

It's Miami's to lose until they do.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

But they may not make it past your Raptors. Good luck in the playoffs.

It's been a while since I've had a rooting interest in the playoffs beyond specific players (LeBron, Ginobili, M. Gasol, Artest, Kobe, etc.). Should be fun. Don't think the Raptors have the experience to beat the Nets (nor will they get the calls over HOFers), but thinking long-term, it is a series that will only make their young players better.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Playoff picks:

SAS over DAL in 4
OKC over MEM in 7
LAC over GS in 6
HOU over POR in 6

SAS over HOU in 5
OKC over LAC in 7

SAS over OKC in 7


IND over ATL in 5
MIA over CHA in 4
CHI over WAS in 6
BKN over TOR in 6

IND over CHI in 7
MIA over BKN in 5

MIA over IND in 7


MIA over SAS in 7

It's Miami's to lose until they do.

Follows the seeding in both conferences except where Miami is concerned. I can see them getting to the NBA finals again but I don't think they 3-peat if they draw the Spurs again.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

SAS over Dallas in 6
OKC over Memphis in 5
LAC over GS in 4
HOU over POR in 6

LAC over OKC in 7
SAS over Houston in 6

LAC over SAS in 6



IND over ATL in 5
MIA over CHA in 5
WAS over CHI in 7
BKN over TOR in 7

IND over WAS in 6
MIA over BKN in 5

MIA over IND in 6



LAC over MIA in 5

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by TEX

Follows the seeding in both conferences except where Miami is concerned. I can see them getting to the NBA finals again but I don't think they 3-peat if they draw the Spurs again.

Well...and the Raptors losing to the Nets too. They're the #3.

Considering MEM over OKC and GS over LAC, but it's hard to pick against the best teams with home advantage (especially when major upsets are so rare in the NBA playoffs).

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Playoff picks:

SAS over DAL in 4
OKC over MEM in 7
LAC over GS in 6
HOU over POR in 6

SAS over HOU in 5
OKC over LAC in 7

SAS over OKC in 7


IND over ATL in 5
MIA over CHA in 4
CHI over WAS in 6
BKN over TOR in 6

IND over CHI in 7
MIA over BKN in 5

MIA over IND in 7


MIA over SAS in 7

It's Miami's to lose until they do.

I'll bet Houston v Portland goes 7. Homecourt probably being the deciding factor.

As for chalk across the board except for Miami, at least one other series will be an upset.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I'll bet Houston v Portland goes 7. Homecourt probably being the deciding factor.

As for chalk across the board except for Miami, at least one other series will be an upset.

BKN over TOR isn't chalk, but yes, there is often one.