Cavaliers vs. Bulls (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
We Meet Again
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated the Chicago Bulls in six games during the 2015 Eastern Conference semifinals, marking the fourth time in six seasons that a LeBron-led team has ended Chicago’s season. With playoff matchups this frequent and regular-season contests so competitive (Bulls are 10-10 vs. LeBron-led teams since 2009), it’s fair to describe LeBron vs. Chicago as the biggest rivalry in the East. Will a new layer to this intense rivalry emerge tonight?
Bulls’ New Attack
Chicago enters the 2015-16 season with a new coach, starting lineup and style of play. Former NBA player Fred Hoiberg takes over the reigns from Tom Thibodeau and replaces Joakim Noah with Nikola Mirotic in the starting lineup. This creates a frontcourt of Pau Gasol and Mirotic that will team with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Tony Snell as they try to run teams out of the gym. Snell is in for Mike Dunleavy Jr., who is out through November after back surgery (Chicago is 9-10 without Dunleavy in the lineup).
Hole At Point
Kyrie Irving missed all of the preseason and his timetable to return from a fractured kneecap is still unclear. Mo Williams will run the show in the meantime as he hopes he can help Cleveland improve upon the 1-6 record the Cavs had in 2014-15 without Irving.
Rose Returns
With Irving out, Derrick Rose should have an easier return to the lineup after missing all but one preseason game with an orbital fracture. Hoiberg says Rose will not have a hard minutes limit during the opener. Could this be the season Rose returns to his Kia MVP form?
Historic Quest
LeBron has reached The Finals in five straight seasons, putting him one appearance shy of claiming the longest appearance streak for any non-Celtics player in NBA history. He begins his quest for six straight tonight in Chicago.
Pelicans vs. Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
‘Roaracle’ Advantage
The NBA champion Golden State Warriors return to Oracle Arena, where they posted a 39-2 record during the 2014-15 season. “Roaracle” will be rocking as the champs receive their championship rings and begin their journey toward potential back-to-back titles. Also worth noting? Defending champions are 54-14 all time on Opening Night.
Familiar Face
Coach Alvin Gentry will make his debut with the Pelicans after spending last season as an assistant with Golden State. Gentry was a major part of the Warriors’ offensive dominance and his guidance should help Pelicans star Anthony Davis become nearly unstoppable. Gentry will receive his championship ring with the Warriors before the game.
Record-Breaking Debut?
NBA TV’s own Dennis Scott (as well as the Denver Nuggets’ Danilo Gallinari) holds the record for most 3-pointers made by a player on opening night (7). Will either of the “Splash Brothers” be able to top that mark? Kia MVP Stephen Curry hit seven-plus 3s four times last season and Klay Thompson did it twice.
Generational Talent
The main reason to watch any Pelicans game is Anthony Davis. There’s little the 22-year-old big can’t do and his game is still expanding, with increased 3-point attempts a new element to keep an eye on this season. In our annual GM Survey, Davis garnered 82.6 percent of the vote for which player GMs would pick to start their franchise. He’s the first player to overtake LeBron in this category since Kevin Durant in 2010-11.
Back Where He Belongs
Craig Sager returns to the sidelines for TNT after a lengthy battle with leukemia that started in April 2014. The longtime NBA fixture will, as always, have a brand new outfit to debut and we can’t wait to watch the best sideline reporter in the game get back to work.
— NBA.com staff reports
