NBA 2017-18 Preview: 5 Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
The full NBA schedule was released mid-way through August, hope you’ve had time to check the opening night schedule, the Christmas day schedule and other rivalry, debuts and return match ups.
Before we look at the key matchups, it’s worth noting that the league has tried to reduce the wear and tear on the players. There’s the absence of four games in five nights and the reduction of back to back games per team. No team has more than 16 back to backs and no team has fewer than 13 (last year the range was 14 to 18).
But whether your favorite NBA team is taking on division rivals, grudge matches or racking up the air miles with trips to inter-conference rivals, keep track of all the latest five key matchup dates announced as we guide you through the NBA season schedule here.
February 9th: Homecoming to Windy City
Jimmy Butler, Tom Thibodeau, and Taj Gibson all return to Chicago as a trio in the visiting locker room. The Bulls previously sacked Tom Thibodeau, traded Taj Gibson and in this off-season, traded Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves reuniting him with the coach that drafted him. With their rebuilding plan in play, they’ll be considerably weaker than the Timberwolves who’ll be looking to leave their mark in Chicago.
It'll be a confusing affair for the fans since the players mentioned above never requested to be traded. It was a decision made by the front office (they sacked Thibs after making constant appearances to the Eastern Conference playoffs without the franchise player, Derrick Rose). I fail to understand some decisions.
Other Notable Games:
Nov. 22: Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City
Dec. 13: Paul George’s return to Indiana
March 28: Gordon Hayward’s return to Utah