 |
| Derrick Rose's Bulls and Lebron James' Cavaliers seem to be the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. They'll face off Friday. |
Tuesday October 28, 2014 10:30pm TNT
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
The Rockets are most likely much better than the Lakers, but this signals a brand new season for Kobe Bryant, who missed the majority of games last season due to the ruptured Achilles tendon suffered at the end of the 2012-2013 season, and then the fractured knee he suffered last season. The Lakers will also have a much different look, with Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer in the starting lineup. This is also the debut for Julius Randle. For the Rockets, we'll see how they may look without Chandler Parsons, a loss James Harden believes doesn't matter much. This is also the first time Dwight Howard will have faced Kobe Bryant since Howard's departure from the Lakers. Comments from Lakers' coach Byron Scott makes this even more interesting.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
Wednesday October 29, 2014 8:00pm ESPN
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
This is the return for Derrick Rose, which makes it the second consecutive season he's returning from a long absence. Last year, in the season opening game against the Heat, he was returning from missing an entire season. This time around, his return follows an absence that nearly took up the entire season. Pau Gasol also makes his debut with the Bulls. For the Knicks, we get to see them show off the triangle offense in a real game. They are still learning how to mesh well in that offense, so it will take time. This is an interesting and curious season for the Knicks.
New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Thursday October 30, 2014 8:00pm TNT
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
This game is all about the return to Cleveland for Lebron James. It is still a little shocking he made the move to go back to Cleveland, but he's applauded by many for doing so. The last game James played with the Cavaliers was Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Celtics. That was a series in which James looked disinterested, despite putting up big numbers. Many people knew it was the end of his time in Cleveland. He broke many hearts making that move. He now has their hearts back.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Thursday October 30, 2014 10:30pm TNT
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Kevin Durant won't be available for this one, so it may be a win for the Clippers. Still, whenever Serge Ibaka and Blake Griffin are in a game, they are always frustrating their opponent with their physical play and antics. Therefore, look for both to frustrate each other. You might get a dust-up in this one as well. Once the Thunder get Durant back, they'll be the same team returning from last year's squad that took the San Antonio Spurs to six games in the Western Conference Finals. The Clippers have added pieces and look better than last year. These team could most likely meet again in May.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
Friday October 31, 2014 8:00pm ESPN
United Center, Chicago, IL
Analysts are touting these two teams as the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers obviously improved leaps and bounds by their acquisition of Lebron James. The Bulls, on the other hand, acquired Pau Gasol in free agency and are getting back a healthy Derrick Rose. They got a healthy Rose back last season as well, but that didn't last very long. Therefore, the Bulls were a middling team in the Eastern Conference playoff race yet again, and easily fell to the upstart Washington Wizards. The last time Rose was healthy for the majority of the season, they won 50 games in a lockout shortened 66 game season. Even then, he missed a solid number of games with nagging injuries, and then tore his ACL in the very first playoff game. The Bulls can be dominant if Rose plays the majority of the games.
No comments:
Post a Comment