TNT Opening Night Double Header: Heat/Celtics 8pm | Lakers/Mavericks 10:30pm.
Tonight, the NBA finally returns with a full 82-game season, with no lockout this time around. Last year, we saw the long-awaited crowning of King James, winning his first NBA Title and then later went on to lead to Team USA to their 2nd consecutive Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympics.
While the Heat were the biggest story throughout June, the Lakers re-upped their roster trading for Dwight Howard and signing Steve Nash in the off-season to virtually become the favorites out of the West while the Celtics added some talented youth during this year’s draft signing a key veteran along the way.
Tim Duncan is finally healthy but we’re wondering how long his aging frame will hold up come playoff time with Amar’e Stoudemire heading in that same direction turning 30 in two weeks.
The Nets finally moved to Brooklyn and failed to land Superman, but still improved with the acquiring of Joe Johnson. The Denver Nuggets are primed to be the most underrated team in the NBA while Michael Jordan will finally look to land the number one spot, in the draft of course.
All of these stories along with the ones after the jump should entail for great basketball for the next 5 months leading up until the playoffs. We have two games scheduled on TNT, with only one having significance, due to Dirk being out in the Celtics vs. Heat at 8pm on TNT; but you can check after the jump for our top.