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Preview Roundups
October 17, 2018
Milwaukee at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks and the Charlotte Hornets both disappointed relative to expectations last season, leading to head coaching changes and roster tinkering from both clubs. The Hornets will kick off the James Borrego era by hosting Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks on Wednesday.
Brooklyn at Detroit 7:00 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons never got where they wanted to be with Stan Van Gundy leading the basketball operations and in control of the bench, and the team decided to make a change in leadership. The Pistons will kick off the Dwane Casey era by hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Memphis at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers have recorded three straight winning seasons, but were bounced from the first round of the playoffs each time. Behind All-Star guard Victor Oladipo and a retooled supporting cast, the Pacers hope to take a step up the ladder in the Eastern Conference and they begin that pursuit Wednesday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies in the season opener for both teams.
Miami at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
Dwyane Wade's final season in the NBA begins Wednesday when he leads the Miami Heat into a matchup at the Orlando Magic in the opener for both teams. The 36-year-old Wade, who played his first 13 seasons with the Heat and returned late in 2017-18 after stints with Chicago and Cleveland, signed a one-year deal for a last go-round with a team that has high hopes.
Atlanta at New York 7:30 PM ET
The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks in the season opener on Wednesday, and while winning remains the ultimate objective, both teams also will measure development and process as they try to crawl from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The opener marks debuts for new head coaches David Fizdale (Knicks) and Lloyd Pierce (Hawks), beginning a season where New York is without Kristaps Porzingis and Atlanta hands the offense to rookie Trae Young.
Cleveland at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
A matchup between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers over the last few seasons would have served as a playoff preview, but things are changing in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers will begin life without LeBron James - again - when they visit the Raptors on Wednesday.
New Orleans at Houston 8:00 PM ET
If there is a team in the NBA capable of putting an early end to the Golden State Warriors' dynasty, it is the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, who finished with the best record in the NBA during the 2017-18 season and took the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference finals, will try to start building toward a trip to the NBA Finals when they open the 2018-19 campaign by hosting the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
Minnesota at San Antonio 8:30 PM ET
Jimmy Butler has been a major distraction for the Minnesota Timberwolves but the four-time All-Star has promised to mind his manners. Butler will play in the team's season opener against the host San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday but is still hoping to be traded as soon as possible.
Utah at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Utah Jazz won 99 games over the previous two seasons and they open another promising campaign on Wednesday when they visit the Sacramento Kings. Utah won a playoff series in back-to-back seasons and looks to take another step forward this year.
Denver at L.A. Clippers 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers missed the playoffs last season and the revamped team begins the task of getting back to the postseason on Wednesday, when they host the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers made six consecutive playoff appearances before being left out last season while Denver is mired in a five-season postseason drought.
Dallas at Phoenix 10:30 PM ET
Both teams have highly touted rookies making their NBA debuts when the Phoenix Suns host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Phoenix center Deandre Ayton is expected to be an impact player after being the top pick of the draft, while Dallas is high on guard Luka Doncic, the third overall pick who was acquired from Atlanta in a draft-night trade.