Anyone but the Cavaliers and Spurs. We never want to get a look at that again. But here’s a look at 12 of the best games this season.
It would have included the season opener in San Antonio, where Greg Oden was facing Tim Duncan. Oops.
NOVEMBER
6 Spurs at Rockets. The Spurs are going to regret trading Luis Scola a few hours down the road to Houston. Scola is the missing piece for the Rockets — assuming someone helps tinman Tracy McGrady — in their bid to overtake the Spurs.
9 Bucks at Rockets. Yi meets Yao. NBA East meets West. China’s principal exports not facing recall face off for the first time as Mattel offers Yi and Yao toys made in the U.S.
18 Bulls at Lakers. Kobe Bryant gets a chance to take a look at his future teammates. If the Bulls have a losing record at the time, negotiations could begin on the spot.
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25 Spurs at SuperSonics. With eight of the first 12 on the road and three of the four home games against previous division winners, P.J. Carlesimo should start about 1-13 and be ready to rejoin the staff of the Spurs.
DECEMBER
5 Suns at Raptors. Phoenix East against Phoenix West. They combine to make a run at the famous 186-184 Denver-Detroit game of 1983, when the Nuggets lost despite holding Kent Benson scoreless in the third overtime.
17 Suns at Spurs. The Suns return to San Antonio, site of last season’s playoff scuffle. After a bad skit the Spurs’ mascot is suspended, and NBA Commissioner David Stern declares the teams even.
23 Lakers at Knicks. Christmas present for Isiah Thomas? Perhaps Kobe gets a whiff of those chestnuts roasting and decides he, Jack Frost and Phil Jackson in a package deal would be nice in New York for next season to help save the Knicks and the NBA.
JANUARY
16 Bulls at Heat. No one owes anyone a beating like the Heat does the Bulls for last season’s playoff sweep and opening-night embarrassment when the Heat players were getting their rings and the Bulls stole their lunch money and gave them atomic wedgies.
FEBRUARY
8 Celtics at Timberwolves. Kevin Garnett makes his first return to Minnesota since the trade to Boston as the Timberwolves try to snap their 47-game losing streak and win their first game of the season.
APRIL
2 Warriors at Mavericks. Mavs and Warriors meet for the final time in the regular season as Dirk Nowitzki officially gives back his MVP trophy and Mark Cuban offers to slow dance with Don Nelson to settle their contract dispute over money allegedly owed.
15 Clippers at Hornets. With both teams long out of the playoff race, it’s the first game in league history for which no one actually shows up, with Mardi Gras still going on two months later.
16 Nets at Celtics. Final regular-season game featuring the two three-star rosters of the conference and the consensus conference finals matchup. AARP representatives remain available to help Celts and Nets veterans fill out sign-up cards.