NBA Schedules Released

Complete schedules for the 2009-10 NBA season were released yesterday, and basketball fans are already trying to figure out how many games they'll be able to squeeze in between Christmas Day family obligations. Some highlights and observations:

• The season tips off on October 27th with a TNT doubleheader. The first game is Celtics vs. Cavaliers -- or in NBA marketing-speak, LeBron vs. KG -- and game two -- Clippers at Lakers -- will feature the NBA debut of first-overall pick Blake Griffin, while Kobe and company try on their new rings.
• The Wizards and Mavs, Rockets and Blazers also tip off on the 27th, while the rest of the league will debut on the 28th.
• The annual Christmas Day NBA overload is back in full effect this season, with Celtics vs. Magic and Cavs vs. Lakers headlining in the ABC doubleheader. Three other games (Heat/Knicks, Clippers/Suns and Nuggets/Blazers) will be broadcast on ESPN that day... about 12 straight hours of NBA hoops in all.
• Orlando will play in Boston on Super Bowl Sunday -- which will provide a worthy alternative to 19-straight hours of pregame coverage.

Get complete schedules for every team.