The new NBA schedule is out for the upcoming 2024-25 regular season, giving fans more excitement for the new year. Like always, the offseason was filled with drama and massive player movement.
Read more: NBA Announces Complete 2024-25 Season Schedule
This leads to big storylines throughout the season and creates highly-anticipated matchups all year long. But which matchups are the best ones to watch for?
Here are the top five matchups to watch this coming season in the NBA.
The rematch of the NBA Finals is always something to watch for and Dallas got even better this summer. The Mavericks added five-time All-Star guard Klay Thompson to arm themselves better against a team like Boston this season.
The first matchup between the two sides is on Jan. 25 in Dallas, while the second is scheduled for Feb. 6 in Boston.
Matching up in the postseason in each of the last two years, the Nuggets and Lakers are certain to have some fireworks. Denver eliminated the Lakers this past season on a buzzer-beater, the second of their playoff series.
It’s safe to say that Los Angeles will be out for some revenge this year under new head coach JJ Redick. This matchup features some of the more dominant players in the NBA, with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Nikola Jokic leading the charge.
The first matchup between the clubs is set for Nov. 23 in L.A., with the subsequent meetings on Feb. 22 in Denver, March 14 in Denver, and March 19 in Los Angeles.
Boston and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, but both the Knicks and Bucks have great rosters. The Knicks were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference last year and added star forward Mikal Brides to the mix.
The Bucks still have Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton on the team. Someone has to emerge between these two and it’ll be fascinating to see how they match up against one another.
The first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Madison Square Garden, followed by another home game for New York on Jan. 12. The final game between these two heads to Milwaukee and will take place on March 28.
A rematch from the postseason last year, these two teams are presumed to be in the running to lead the Western Conference this year. Oklahoma City finished as the best team in the West a year ago and added more firepower with center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency.
The Thunder will try to get back at Dallas for beating them in the postseason, giving fans an exciting matchup to watch.
These teams meet for the first time on Nov. 17 in Oklahoma City, then play in Dallas on Jan. 17, and finally conclude the regular season series with a contest in Oklahoma City on Jan. 23.
The big move of the NBA offseason was star forward Paul George leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to head to Philadelphia. He formed a big three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as the 76ers look to claim relevance in the East.
The biggest obstacle for the 76ers will be the Celtics and they will have to prove that they can take down the elite teams in the conference. No team was better than Boston last year so Philadelphia should use them as a measuring stick to see if their offseason gamble pays off.
The first matchup is scheduled for Christmas Day in Boston, followed by meetings on Feb. 2 in Philadelphia, Feb. 20 in Philadelphia, and March 6 back in Boston.
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