Preview Roundups
October 26, 2016
Miami at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic changed direction in the offseason and enter the 2016-17 campaign with high expectations as they host the re-vamped Miami Heat on Wednesday in the opener for both. The Magic dealt second-leading scorer Victor Oladipo, hired coach Frank Vogel and brought in Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, D.J. Augustin and Jeff Green – among others – to spur confidence that a four-year postseason drought will end.
Dallas at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
If there is a team in the Eastern Conference capable of challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers for supremacy, it might be the Indiana Pacers. The 2016-17 Pacers will begin trying to prove themselves when they open the regular season by hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Brooklyn at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The preseason doesn't always mean much, but it may have offered an early glimpse as to how well center Al Horford will fit in with the Boston Celtics. Horford, who signed a $113-million deal with the Celtics after nine seasons in Atlanta, makes his regular-season debut with Boston when it begins a season filled with promise against the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Detroit at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors came within two wins of reaching the NBA Finals last spring, falling in six games to the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers, but are suspiciously absent from most talk of teams with the power to challenge in the Eastern Conference this year. The Raptors will begin proving they are still a team with which to be reckoned when they host the Detroit Pistons in the season opener on Wednesday.
Charlotte at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
The leading scorer could miss the entire season following hamstring surgery and the team leader in assists was traded away, but the Milwaukee Bucks still believe they are a better team heading into this season than they were in 2015-16. The reasons for optimism stem from the young roster, and the Bucks will put their pieces on display when they host the Charlotte Hornets in the season opener on Wednesday.
Minnesota at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies handed out three max contracts over the last two summers and are hoping all that money leads to more than just another early playoff exit in the spring. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who visit the Grizzlies in the season opener on Wednesday, made their biggest move of the season off the court by hiring defensive-minded coach Tom Thibodeau to work with their talented young roster.
Denver at New Orleans 8:00 PM ET
Anthony Davis is recognized as a superstar talent but the New Orleans Pelicans power forward has one major flaw - he just can't stay healthy. The 23-year-old Davis hasn't played more than 68 games in any of his first four NBA seasons and looks for better fortunes this season, beginning with Wednesday's season opener against the visiting Denver Nuggets.
Oklahoma City at Philadelphia 8:00 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder are now officially Russell Westbrook's team after franchise icon Kevin Durant departed as a free agent to join the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook and the Thunder move forward from the Durant era when they open the season against the host Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Sacramento at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The Sacramento Kings have a bona fide star in DeMarcus Cousins but remain mired in a 10-season playoff drought. Last season's 33 wins were the most Sacramento has notched in Cousins' six seasons and the Kings begin their quest to compete for a Western Conference playoff berth when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Houston at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Lakers completed the Kobe Bryant era as one of the worst teams in the NBA and begin the regrouping process when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Bryant's season-long retirement party is now in the past as the Lakers aim to eventually become competitive again under first-year coach Luke Walton.