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Ranking the top 10 games of the 2018-19 NBA schedule

By Gerald Bourguet

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /
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2018-19 NBA schedule
Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

The 2018-19 NBA schedule is officially up, which means it’s time to take a look ahead to the upcoming year and pinpoint the season’s 10 must-watch games.

The 2018-19 NBA schedule was finally released Friday, with a number of juicy matchups between elite teams standing out for the upcoming season. From opening night in mid-October to primetime Christmas Day showdowns to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there are dozens of head-to-head battles worth salivating over.

With LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors adding DeMarcus Cousins, two of the NBA’s biggest viewerships are set to get even bigger. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are poised to capitalize as well, gearing up for a renewed rivalry with the Eastern Conference suddenly wide open.

With more talent in the Western Conference than ever and a couple of elite Eastern teams ready for a trip to the NBA Finals, the upcoming season is littered with intriguing storylines and developing rivalries.

The question is, which games from the upcoming slate are most worth your time? In order to sort it all out, here’s a quick look at the 10 most intriguing, must-watch games of the 2018-19 NBA season.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Oct. 16: Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — The revamped Thunder facing the defending champs on opening night? Right after Russell Westbrook has to watch his old buddy Kevin Durant put on his second ring? Sign us up!
  • Nov. 1: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks — We had to include the Mike Budenholzer-led Milwaukee Bucks in here somewhere, and their first test against the new alphas in the East seemed like an appropriate place to start.
  • Dec. 21: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans — The small-ball New Orleans Pelicans ran roughshod on the league to close the season last year, and with Rajon Rondo and Julius Randle both facing their old teams, this game could hold quite a bit of intrigue. Plus, Anthony Davis vs. LeBron James is always fun.
  • Dec. 25: Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers — The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers both deserved some type of recognition on this list, and though a Christmas Day game feels like a bit much, this one could provide some late-night entertainment.
  • Jan. 12: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Detroit Pistons — Lost in all the upcoming NBA returns: Blake Griffin playing the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center for the first time since the trade. This delayed homecoming and Griffin’s slip in stature among the game’s elite players ranks this one lower than expected, but it should be interesting to see how motivated he is after “Clipper for life” was thrown right out the window.
  • Jan. 26: Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors — Potential 2019 NBA Finals preview, anyone?
  • April: Denver Nuggets vs. Everyone — Once again, the Denver Nuggets‘ entire April slate is stacked: at Golden State, San Antonio, Portland, at Portland, at Utah, Minnesota. Considering they will either be fighting for a playoff spot or playoff positioning, all of these games against playoff-caliber teams will be worth checking out.