Preview Roundups
October 18, 2017
Charlotte at Detroit 7:00 PM ET
The Eastern Conference looks very top-loaded, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards again expected to leave the rest of the teams in the dust. The Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets, who open their respective seasons against each other in the inaugural NBA regular season game at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit on Wednesday, are trying to join the party after both missing out on the postseason last spring.
Brooklyn at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers are trying to find a new face of the franchise after sending disgruntled forward Paul George to Oklahoma City in a trade over the summer. The Pacers welcome back only five players from last season's opening night roster when they host the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017-18 opener on Wednesday.
Miami at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat won 30 of their last 41 games last season, but still missed the playoffs due to a brutal start and hope to avoid the same scenario this time around as they visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday to open the campaign. The Heat bring back virtually the same lineup they ended 2016-17 with and will enjoy a six-game homestand after the brief road trip north to play the rebuilding Magic.
Philadelphia at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers are about to add two No. 1 overall draft picks to a team already flooding with young talent as "the process" continues to move forward. The 76ers are expected to give Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz their NBA debuts when they open the 2017-18 campaign by visiting the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Milwaukee at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The Boston Celtics suffered a season-opening defeat, but the more devastating loss occurred when offseason signee Gordon Hayward sustained what likely was a season-ending injury. The All-Star forward fractured his left tibia and dislocated his ankle in Tuesday's setback against Cleveland, and the Celtics begins the task of moving on when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
New Orleans at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
Star big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins begin a season together for the first time when they lead the New Orleans Pelicans into the opener Wednesday at the Memphis Grizzlies. The Pelicans were 11-14 after acquiring Cousins from Sacramento at the All-Star break last season while finishing short of the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, but with a clean slate the duo is primed to take a step forward together.
Atlanta at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks open the NBA season Wednesday at home against the Atlanta Hawks looking for their young talent to fuel improvement over last season’s 33-49 record, but one steady constant remains in the middle. Center Dirk Nowitzki, sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, returns for his 20th season and the 39-year-old shows no signs of slowing down after averaging 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds a season ago, then signing a two-year contract in the offseason.
Denver at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The Utah Jazz begin a season without All-Star forward Gordon Hayward for the first time in eight years when they host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday in the opener for both teams. Hayward, the Jazz's top scorer each of the last four seasons, signed with the Boston Celtics this offseason after helping Utah gain its first playoff berth in five years.
Minnesota at San Antonio 9:30 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs expect be without star swingman Kawhi Leonard when they open the regular season at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Leonard, coming off a second straight All-Star campaign in which he averaged a career-high 25.1 points, missed training camp and preseason with a quadriceps injury.
Portland at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The Phoenix Suns hosting the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday might involve more tension than a normal season-opener after an altercation between the teams during the preseason led to a suspension. Trail Blazers star shooting guard C.J. McCollum will sit out the opener while serving a one-game suspension for leaving the bench area.
Houston at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets rallied for an impressive season-opening victory and now look to avoid a letdown when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Houston finished Tuesday's opener on a 10-3 run to record a stunning 122-121 win over defending champion Golden State, a team with which the Rockets are aiming to contend this season.