Games to watch in 2009-2010

For anyone who marks time by the NBA calendar, this time of year is a little like opening the Christmas stocking, only filled with the complete NBA schedule, before tearing into the big-ticket gifts under the tree come late October. Here's a look at some highlights of the just-released 2009-2010 schedule

Oct. 27: Boston at Cleveland -- Will ShaquilleO'Neal's latest superstar partnership prove as fruitful as his first two? Cleveland -- and the rest of the NBA -- will start to get some answers on Opening Night against a Celtics team that will have a big hand in determining whether the Shaq gamble pays off. Considering neither of these teams has won on the other's floor in their last 16 meetings, we imagine LeBron James and Co. will be happy for at least one night.

Oct. 28: L.A. Clippers at L.A. Lakers -- Welcome to the NBA, Blake Griffin! The No. 1 pick in the draft begins his professional career in front of a Lakers crowd sure to be in a frenzy over the championship ring ceremony and Ron Artest's debut.

Oct. 30: Boston at Chicago -- Underpinning last spring's playoff classic was a point guard duel that may shape the NBA for years to come. A summer spent in part with the U.S. national team is likely to accelerate DerrickRose's ascent to superstardom, while an offseason spent filled with trade rumors and criticism by Celtics GM Danny Ainge may well push Rajon Rondo to prove he is worth the max contract he desires. Neither will find a better measuring stick in the East than each other.

Nov. 6: Cleveland at New York -- The last time LeBron visited Madison Square Garden, he dropped 52 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds on the Knicks. Assuming he hasn't signed an extension with the Cavs at this point, and the fact that national TV cameras will be on hand to catch Knicks fans all but offering the deeds to their homes to James, LeBron could be up for a show, a real show.

Nov. 8: Golden State at Sacramento -- With a few games under their belts, fellow top-10 picks Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans get to showcase their developing NBA skills while facing each other.

Nov. 11: Cleveland at Orlando -- The conference finals rematch is all the more intriguing now with Shaq battling Dwight Howard inside.

Nov. 15: Houston at L.A. Lakers -- With no Yao Ming and no Tracy McGrady, you can mark this down as a Lakers W now. But for Trevor Ariza, it's a chance to show the Lakers what they missed when they earmarked their free-agent dollars for Ron Artest instead of a guy who helped them win the title.

Nov. 20: Orlando at Boston -- Did the undermanned Celtics simply run out of gas or did the Magic finally come into their own in reversing a 3-2 series deficit in the second round of the playoffs? We'll find out a bit more this season when a beefed-up Celtics front line meets a beefed-up Magic front line for the first of four dates.

Dec. 5: Denver at San Antonio -- There are about six or seven teams with legitimate title hopes. The Nuggets and Spurs are two of those teams. And while the Nuggets' many offensive options often make them a joy to watch, San Antonio's changes promise to make the button-down Spurs a bit more unpredictable, too. That could make for an entertaining matchup.