As the summer is leaving in the U.S., that means NBA season is right around the corner. Before the regular season begins, however, the NBA preseason will start to create a buzz. Check out the schedule for the first NBA preseason games as exhibition games are set to start in less than two weeks.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
Times: 9 a.m. ET, 7 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. ET & 10 p.m. ET
Those game times are all correct and the most surprising is the 9 a.m. ET tipoff. Most people are trying to get a few extra hours of sleep on Saturday mornings, but the die hard NBA fan will be awake as NBA TV brings the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Istanbul Fenerbahce Ulker. It's the NBA's continuous attempt to continue spreading basketball around the globe and allowing the sport to truly target the best around the world. Don't worry, if you wake up to watch this matchup, you have plenty of time to nap and recuperate as the following matchups occur later in the day.
7 p.m. ET- Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers
Consider this a preview of the two teams who might dethrone the Miami Heat? The Pacers return with more experience and talent, while the same could be said about the Bulls. Derrick Rose is back in Chicago and Danny Granger will also be back for the Pacers. Expect these two teams to slug it out in the Central division of the Eastern Conference. It should be an exciting season of basketball for both of these teams.
9 p.m. ET- New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are expected to compete in 2013-2014. They are expected to finish at the top of the Western Conference standings. They added Dwight Howard to their roster and he should be back healthy and ready to play. As the Rockets bring new faces to their team, New Orleans will wear the NBA's newest uniforms as they are now the Pelicans. That's something for this team and its fan base to look forward to. No?
10 p.m. ET- Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
It's new school versus old school. The Warriors are playing a better brand of basketball as the Lakers are seeing their stars fade away due to age. Talks in L.A. have circulated around acquiring free agents in 2014. The Warriors are only focusing on getting more experience as they had a chance to take the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. This game will wrap up the day's action. There will be NBA preseason action for the next three weeks before a three-day hiatus as the NBA season begins on Oct. 29.
