As the NBA season kicks off, the eyes of basketball fans will be on four teams with just two games on today’s opening night schedule. The Cleveland Cavs host the Boston Celtics at 8 p.m. Eastern on TNT. This game will be followed by the Houston Rockets taking on the Golden State Warriors at 10:30 p.m. on TNT.
TNT kicks off its coverage at 7 p.m. Eastern with NBA Tip-Off featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaq O’Neal.
Both games offer plenty of intrigue for different reasons. After the Cavs-Celtics blockbuster trade over the summer, it will not only be fans first time seeing Kyrie Irving in a Celtics uniform, but he will be squaring off against his old team in Cleveland. Isaiah Thomas would also be going against his old squad, but Thomas is still recovering from injury. Jae Crowder also makes his debut in a Cavs jersey, and faces his old Celtics team.
Tonight also begins the reunion of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. The two superstars were part of championship teams with the Miami Heat, but went their separate ways. LeBron James status for tonight’s game is officially up in the air, but teammate J.R. Smith noted he expected James to play despite no official word from the team.
The late game is equally intriguing with Chris Paul making his Rockets debut. It will be worth watching how Paul plays with James Harden. Both players are ball-dominant point guards, who are used to having the ball in their hands nearly at all times. Paul and Harden will likely take turns playing off the ball.
For the Golden State Warriors, not much has changed. There is not much need for change when your team has Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
The majority of NBA teams will tip-off the season on Wednesday, October 18 with 22 teams in action.
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NBA Opening Night Schedule: What Basketball Games Are on TV Today?