NBA adds 2 games to opening day slate
NEW YORK (AP)
Oklahoma City will host Orlando before Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers visit Golden State on Christmas night, running the NBA's planned opening day schedule to five games.
Those games were added Friday to the three that were already set when the 2011-12 schedule was originally unveiled: Boston at New York, Miami at Dallas and Chicago at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Commissioner David Stern said the league hoped to open the season with that tripleheader after announcing a tentative agreement on a new labor deal with the players last Saturday. But the league decided to add two later games, with the nightcap featuring Mark Jackson's debut as Warriors coach.
The revised 66-game schedule will be released Tuesday night during an NBA TV special.
TNT will televise the opener, while ABC gets the NBA Finals rematch and the matchup between MVP Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant, whose Lakers will be playing their first game under former Cleveland coach Mike Brown.
The Thunder reached the Western Conference finals last season behind league scoring champion Kevin Durant, while the Magic face the uncertainty of Dwight Howard's future with the team.
''It's a different opening day than has ever happened in the past, and Christmas Day games have always been a big day for the NBA,'' ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy said in a statement. ''This unique situation combined with the unveiling of a championship banner for the Mavericks in a finals rematch, and then to see the Lakers and the debut of Mike Brown as head coach, those things are all going to be very compelling.''
The Dec. 25 opening date is contingent on the CBA being ratified next week.
Lawyers for the league and players association resumed negotiations Friday on the remaining issues, the so-called B-list items such as drug testing, the draft eligibility age and the commissioner's power to discipline. The goal is to complete the agreement Tuesday so it could be presented at a meeting of player representatives Wednesday, then both sides would vote to ratify it Thursday.
If that happens, training camps and free agency would open next Friday.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Arena football player dies at age 26
Johnie Kirton, a fullback with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League, h... -
Rodman sentenced on 4 counts
Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman was sentenced in family court Tuesday to 104... -
Report: White, Refaeli cozy in NYC
Bar Refaeli had complained she "doesn't get hit on by guys," but Olympic gold medalis... -
Peyton tops Tebow in NFL jersey sales
After taking his job as Denver Broncos quarterback, Peyton Manning now has beaten Tim... -
Frazier saves man with Heimlich
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier had two hits and drove in two runs during ...
NBA Videos
Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker talk after the Spurs Game 2 win over the Thunder.
Hear from the Thunder after dropping Game 2 to the Spurs by a score of 120-111.
Gregg Popovich responds to the Thunder's Hack-A-Splitter tactic.
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-.. |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat |
| New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat |
| Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome |
| Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |

Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.