It’s an exciting time for NBA fans across the world. The 2022-2023 NBA schedule is out and the league made sure not to disappoint. The first week’s match-ups are filled with fireworks starting with opening night. On October 18th, the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors will face the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics will go to battle against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Throughout the 82-game season, you can look forward to highly anticipated rivalry games, player beef, and marquee match-ups.
With opening night just around the corner, let’s take a look at the eight most intriguing games to watch before Christmas Day.
Oct 18: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
The last match-up did not go so well for the 76ers. The Celtics gave them a beat down 135-87. I don’t think the score will be as whooped-sided as their last meeting, however. James Harden seems to be in much better shape. With a healthy Embid alongside Harden, you can count on Philly to be one of the teams fighting for the top spot in the East. The Celtics on the other hand have an electric duo of their own. Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. They showed their worth by leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season. We could be looking at a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals game on opening night.
Celtics will open up the season on October 18th at home vs Philadelphia 76ers. pic.twitter.com/FSIESFLrcs — GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) August 16, 2022
Oct 18: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Four NBA titles in the last eight years, the Golden State Warriors showed their dynasty is going strong, led by the best shooter on the planet Steph Curry, and his two counterparts Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The Warriors will have to deal with the ageless Lebron James and a Los Angeles Lakers team, looking to bounce back from a disappointing season. And I’m sure it will be a packed house in the Chase Center on opening night. The Warriors will have their ring ceremony. What a spoiler that would be if the Lakers leave with a W.
The Golden State Warriors will host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night of the 2022-23 NBA season at Chase Center on Oct. 18, according to The Athletic. The team is also expected to receive its championship rings that night. https://t.co/QqAx0qNm4a — San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) August 13, 2022
Oct 19: Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
This is a game I would not consider if it wasn’t for Jamal Murray. Murray missed the entire 2021-2022 season due to an ACL injury. Now he is back! A video surfaced that shows Murray practicing 5-on-5 after his injury, and he seems to be ready! The Nuggets are a team I will keep an eyes on. They are a potential threat and can make a big push in the playoffs this season.
Oct 19: Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns
Last year’s season did not go as planned for the Suns, after finishing the regular season as the overall #1 seed. They were eliminated in Game 7 (at home) by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. An upsetting loss, to say the least. I expect the Suns to be extra motivated and look to set the tone early. Luka and the Mavericks, on the other hand will be without their emerging playoff star Jalen Brunson who signed a 4-year deal with the New York Knicks. It will be interesting to see who will fill in for Brunson’s spot. As Luka’s Batman to Robin.
The full 2022-23 schedule for the Dallas Mavericks was released Wednesday, and the team will open up against the Phoenix Suns. https://t.co/y4T0MuY07t — FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) August 17, 2022
Oct 20: LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
The battle of who are the “Kings” of LA never gets old. It will be Kawhi Leonard’s return as he missed the entire 2021-2022 season due to an ACL injury. Can he help lift the LA Clippers to the finals this season? A place the franchise has never been before? His running mates Paul George, and Reggie Jackson will have to play a vital role in their team’s success. Otherwise, the Clippers will have a first-class flight to Cancun this season.
BATTLE OF LA: Los Angeles Lakers vs L.A. Clippers October 20th 🍿 The first time LeBron James and Anthony Davis will play Kawhi Leonard and Paul George since 2020 💪🏽 (Via Basketball Forever) pic.twitter.com/rOb9NTXP5M — Terrance 💫 (@LakerPrimeTime) August 14, 2022
Nov 5: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
You might think to yourself why this match-up? I’ll tell you why. Patrick Beverly vs Russell Westbrook. Considering if Westbrook does not get traded. This rivalry has been consistent over the past several years. In a last-season meeting between the two Beverly is seen holding his nose while calling Westbrook “trash”. This is only the newest in a long line of conflicts between the two. Mark this date on your calendar. You do not want to miss it.
Patrick Beverley calling Russell Westbrook trash 😭😭pic.twitter.com/87GHHXsrkU — DARIUS ALFORD (@IAMDARIUSALFORD) March 17, 2022
Nov 22: Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
Here is the match-up I look forward to the most! It’s the return of Ben Simmons to Philadelphia. The fans of Philly are some of the most passionate sports fans in the country. And how things transpired with Simmon’s departure I know the Philly fans are foaming at the mouth in wait for his return. Let’s just hope Simmons is in a good state of mind and his back is fully recovered. Who will join Simmons and the Nets is another question? If Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant decided to stay with the Nets, you better believe they will be the team to beat in the East.
November 14 Carson Wentz returns to Philly November 22 Ben Simmons returns to Philly A lot of boos in November 🗣 pic.twitter.com/N4Vlvrs53T — John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 18, 2022
Dec 13: Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks
The Warriors and the Bucks are a marquee match-up. Two former MVPs, Steph Curry and Giannis Antemkoupo are players who love to push the pace of the game. You can expect a high-scoring game full of energy. Drew Holiday will most likely take on the job of guarding Curry. Holiday is one of the NBA’s premiere guard defenders. He will have his handful as guarding Curry is a tall task.
Bucks vs Warriors https://t.co/Uv81JVyvJN — KobesFadeaway🏀🐍 (@KFadeaway) August 21, 2022