When the league-wide schedule is released this week, Oklahoma City will again be at the center of marquee matchups on marquee dates.
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It will mark the second time in four seasons that OKC has opened its season against the rival Spurs.
It will mark the sixth straight season that the Bulls play on Christmas Day, a stretch in which they’ve gone 3-2.
Aside from opening day, the Thunder will also be hosting for the first time on Christmas Day. A Texas matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets would be an ideal fifth game, although that would leave the New York Knicks, a Christmas Day mainstay, out. The franchise’s only defeat on the auspicious day was at Miami in 2012.
The Thunder will take on the Bulls on Christmas. But an afternoon tipoff is likely.
This will also be Chicago’s only visit to the Chesapeake Energy Arena this upcoming season (barring a trip to the National Basketball Association Finals for both teams). Either way, the matchup presents numerous story lines worth following, specifically the contest between two first-year head coaches (OKC’s Billy Donovan vs. Chicago’s Fred Hoiberg), and numerous All-Stars at various positions.
Russell Westbrook is also one that many are eager to see after an MVP-performance last year to make-up for the loss of Durant, Westbrook stepped up and averaged 28.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game. Durant told The Oklahoman last week that his surgically-repaired right foot is healed and he has been cleared for all basketball-related activities. “I think the group of guys we have, I think we have a good chance to win the National Basketball Association championship”.
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The full National Basketball Association schedule is expected to be released this week.
