Lakers-Miami on Xmas

[Smoke]

The best of the batch this season, as ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein sees it:

Nov. 2, Opening Night
Three good games to tip off the season: Houston at Detroit, Sacramento at Dallas, Denver at L.A. Lakers.

Nov. 3, Miami at New Jersey; Washington at Memphis
Shaq plays his first meaningful game with the Heat, on ESPN; the Grizzlies play host to the Wizards in their first regular-season game at the new FedEx Forum.

Nov. 4, Washington at Charlotte
Charlotte resident Antawn Jamison leads the Wizards against the Bobcats as the NBA's 30th team plays its first-ever game.

Nov. 16, Phoenix at Dallas
Steve Nash makes his first appearance at the American Airlines Center since bolting to the Suns in free agency.

Nov. 25, Happy Thanksgiving
A double helping of NBA for your holiday: Minnesota at Indiana, followed by New Jersey at L.A. Clippers.

Nov. 26, Sacramento at L.A. Lakers
Vlade Divac confronts his old Kings teammates for the first time, before the Lakers visit Arco Arena on Dec. 16.

Nov. 26, Miami at Detroit
The reigning champs play host to the East's new beast: Shaquille O'Neal.

Dec. 25, Detroit at Indiana
ESPN's lunchtime offering on Christmas reunites the East's top two teams from last season.

Dec. 25, Miami at L.A. Lakers
Big Surprise: The Big Reunion -- Shaq vs. Kobe -- is a Christmas Day special at Staples Center on ABC.

Jan. 20, Houston at Orlando
Tracy McGrady returns to his hometown for the first time as a member of the Rockets.

Jan. 21, Indiana at Miami
The O'Neal Bowl: Jermaine vs. Shaq, in the first of four regular-season meetings as Eastern Conference rivals.

Jan. 24, Orlando at Houston
Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley visit Houston for the first time as Magic teammates in a Houston-Orlando rematch.

Feb. 10, L.A. Lakers at Detroit
This is the first of two NBA Finals rematches, with the Pistons traveling to Los Angeles on Feb. 25.

Feb. 13, Denver at New Jersey
Kenyon Martin makes his only visit of the season to the Meadowlands after leaving the Nets for the Nuggets.

March 15, Utah at Cleveland
Call for extra security: Carlos Boozer returns to Cleveland for the first time since his controversial move to the Jazz.

March 17, L.A. Lakers at Miami
Your St. Patrick's Day celebration will undoubtedly include the second Shaq vs. Kobe showdown, this one on the Heat's floor.

[Smoke]

Dec. 25, Detroit at Indiana
Dec. 25, Miami at L.A. Lakers

 

Dec. 25 this year is gonna be red in my calendar more than Suge Knight in his wallpapers over at deathrowrecords.net!