Preview Roundups
October 29, 2014
Milwaukee at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets made a 22-victory improvement last season to reach the playoffs for the first time in four years and look to build on that with the addition of scoring depth. The Hornets, who changed their name from the Bobcats in the offseason, begin that quest when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Jason Kidd makes his debut as coach of the rebuilding Bucks and may not have to face Charlotte’s big-ticket free agent Lance Stephenson, who is hampered by a groin injury.
Philadelphia at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
When the Indiana Pacers open the season Wednesday against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, expectations in Hoosier land will be far less than last season. The Pacers had the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2013-14, but the departure of Lance Stephenson and an injury to Paul George have dropped expectations greatly. The 76ers had a blue print to lose as many games as possible last season, and with the lowest payroll again, their goals of building for the future have not changed at all.
Brooklyn at Boston 7:30 PM ET
In terms of star power, the Boston Celtics have Rajon Rondo and not much else. Their one and only big name is hoping to be on the big stage when the Celtics open their season at home Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. Rondo, who is rehabbing from a broken hand, told reporters Monday that he has a "79 percent" chance of playing in the opener, when Boston takes on a team with which it has loads of recent history.
Washington at Miami 7:30 PM ET
The post-LeBron era begins in Miami on Wednesday when the Heat welcome the Washington Wizards to town to open the season. With James gone, the Heat are a longshot to reach the NBA Finals for a fifth straight year. They might not even be the favorite to win the division over the Wizards, who are coming off their first trip to the postseason since 2008 and knocked off Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.
Atlanta at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors look to build off last season's success when they begin the 2014-15 campaign at home against the Atlanta Hawks. The Raptors won a franchise-record 48 games en route to the Atlantic Division title before bowing out to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto has improved its win total every year under coach Dwane Casey and hopes to start the season with a bang by beating the Hawks for the third straight time at the Air Canada Centre.
Minnesota at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
Kevin Love provided Minnesota Timberwolves fans with some terrific highlights over his six years with the club, but the franchise was never able to garner a winning season or a playoff berth with the three-time All-Star. With Love gone to Cleveland to join LeBron James, Minnesota tips off its next chapter Wednesday at the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis, which is attempting to post 50 wins for a third consecutive season, will get the first look at Andrew Wiggins, the 2014 overall No. 1 pick.
Chicago at New York 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls are the popular preseason pick to challenge LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference – as long as Derrick Rose manages to stay healthy and productive. The New York Knicks, who host the Bulls in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday, are also hoping to join the race at the top of the conference after a disappointing 2013-14 campaign. Rose made it through the summer healthy and will start at the point against the Knicks.
Detroit at Denver 9:00 PM ET
Stan Van Gundy makes his return to the sidelines on Wednesday as the new head coach for the Detroit Pistons, who open a hopeful campaign at Denver. Van Gundy, who owns a .641 winning percentage in eight seasons with Miami and Orlando, was brought in to revive an organization that has endured six straight losing campaigns. Last season's edition went 8-24 down the stretch under interim head coach John Loyer, but Van Gundy's squad has some promise as it builds around star center Andre Drummond.
Houston at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets look to make it two straight victories to open the season when they visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The Rockets cruised to a 108-90 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in their opener and guard James Harden looked in midseason form with 32 points and six assists. Utah is looking to move on from a dreadful season under the leadership of new head coach Quin Snyder.
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
Kobe Bryant was rusty in his first game back from injury and he won’t have much time to rest between games as the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Bryant scored 19 points in 29 minutes in Tuesday’s season-opening loss to the Houston Rockets but was just 6-of-17 from the field. New coach Byron Scott has repeatedly said Bryant’s minutes will be reduced on the second night of a back-to-back and this will be the first test of that edict.
Golden State at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors have been picking away at the teams at the top half of the Western Conference and are hoping the hiring of new coach Steve Kerr can move them into elite territory. The Warriors will begin the Kerr era by visiting the Sacramento Kings in the season opener on Wednesday. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins got some experience with Golden State stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson over the summer and is ready to take a step forward.
Oklahoma City at Portland 10:30 PM ET
There’s a good chance the Oklahoma City Thunder will have just nine healthy players when they travel west to take on the host Portland Trail Blazers in Wednesday’s season opener for both sides. Already without All-Star forward Kevin Durant and fellow front-courters Anthony Morrow and Mitch McGary, Oklahoma City saw two of its key guards, Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb, hobble off the practice floor Monday and two players will be sidelined for both the first two games.