With the FIBA games wrapped up, it is just a matter of time before summer workouts turn into NBA training camps. Throw in a handful of meaningless pre-season games and soon enough opening night will be among us. Opening night has five must-see NBA games. After a crazy off-season of player movement, the NBA looks to have the most parity it has had in years. With highly anticipated rookie debuts and new additions to your favorite teams, opening night is sure to be exciting.
NBA Must-See TV
New Orleans Pelicans @ Toronto Raptors
The undercard matchup on opening night, the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans kick off our list of five must-see opening night games. The Raptors start the night receiving their title rings and raising the only NBA Championship banner outside of the United States. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green are gone, but that doesn’t mean the Raptors will roll over and play dead.
On the other side of the court, fans get their first official look at a team that could be the future of the league. The Pelicans should turn a lot of heads this season with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Derrick Favors, and Jrue Holiday as their starting five. This should be a fun game of two contrasting styles. Look for the Pelicans to steal an upset in their first game of the season.
Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers
In a rematch from last season’s Western Conference Semi-Finals, the Denver Nuggets look for revenge over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Nuggets are one of the favored teams in the Western Conference. Denver kept all their important pieces during the crazy free agent summer, which will be key for them this season. Don’t forget that Michael Porter Jr., a player many thought would be a lottery pick in 2018, should be ready to make his first appearance.
The Trail Blazers, who had their best season in nearly twenty years will go as far as Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum can carry them. Sure, they added components like Kent Bazemore, Pau Gasol, and Hassan Whiteside, but they will miss Jusuf Nurkic. The Trail Blazers have won 18 straight home openers at the Moda Center, but it looks like that streak might come to an end this season.
Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers
If you buy into the water cooler talk, the Boston Celtics are to blame for Team USA’s failure in the World Cup. Chances are Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart will use that chatter to fuel their fire. Look for the team to have better chemistry with Walker than they did with Kyrie Irving, but not necessarily out of the gates.
Looking over at the Philadelphia 76ers bench to see former teammate Al Horford may hurt more as the Celtics inside game looks thin this season. Philadelphia is predicted to battle for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and should be a title contender if their roster remains healthy. And by roster, we are looking directly at Joel Embiid. The game may be played in the City Of Brotherly Love, but there are no heartfelt emotions when these two teams meet up.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Houston Rockets
Both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets are among the favorites of their respective divisions to represent in the NBA Finals. Throw in some offseason heat about who should have claimed the 2019 MVP and it makes a perfect drama for opening night. One of the biggest questions heading into the season is how well Russell Westbrook and James Harden will co-exist as two ball-dominant players. Considering how much each of them dribbles the ball, Spalding may want to reinforce the ball for Rockets’ games.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo’s claim of only being 60 percent of what he can be, the Rockets and the rest of the league are in trouble. While Khris Middleton was nominated as an All-Star last year, he is definitely Robin to Antetokounmpo’s Batman. The Rockets have a better starting lineup, but the Bucks depth will be what gets them over the top in this matchup.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers
The biggest “what if” heading into opening night is whether or not Paul George will be healthy and suiting up for his new team. After being dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in the surprise trade of the summer, George is expected to team with another hometown boy, Kawhi Leonard to lead the Clippers to a place Lob City couldn’t take them. However, George had offseason shoulder surgery.
Hollywood’s other dynamic duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis will look to return the Los Angeles Lakers to the promised land. Whether you are a Lakers fan or a Clippers fan, the battle of LA tops our list of five must-see opening night games. The big question is, which team has more pressure on them going into the season? Both teams, with a pair of All-NBA players on each roster, mortgaged the future to win now. The great thing is, we get to see this matchup three more times!
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