The NBA’s two-game national television schedule on Friday night begins with the two favorites in the Eastern Conference clashing for the first time this year. It ends with a game in Los Angeles that Charles Barkley doesn’t want anything to do with.
NBA schedule: Cavaliers try to rebound against surging Bulls
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers square off their biggest Eastern Conference opponent.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
We’re going to listen to Chuck by not highlighting that game. There are some other goodies worth mentioning.
The main course
Cleveland had a rough go on its opening night, losing to the Knicks in one of LeBron James' worst games of his career. Call it a result of circumstance. If the Cavs can clean up their play, it should be a fun matchup against a Bulls team that rolled in its opener against their common opponent with Cleveland, the New York Knicks.
Cavaliers coach David Blatt played his starters quite a few minutes in the opener. On a back-to-back, doing so again might be necessary against a Chicago bench unit that was even more efficient than Tom Thibodeau’s starting five, which could surprisingly include Jimmy Butler.
TV: ESPN
More on this game: Fear the Sword | Blog a Bull
The appetizer
One of two games between undefeated teams on the Friday schedule, this should be interesting even if Indiana isn't expected to do much this year. OK, so the Pacers opened their season with a predictable win over the Sixers, but Roy Hibbert's 22 points seemed to say he's mentally recovered from a miserable ending to last year. A slow pace might keep Frank Vogel's crew close, and the post matchups between Hibbert and Marc Gasol, then Luis Scola against Zach Randolph, will at least be entertaining.
TV: FSMW
More on this game: Grizzly Bear Blues | Indy Cornrows
The dessert
When these two teams met in the preseason, Suns owner Robert Sarver was a little ticked because the Spurs didn't bring their full roster to U.S. Airways Center. Well, the Spurs will be healthy this time around. Kawhi Leonard will return from an eye infection ready to face an opponent that rolled over a pretty sad Lakers team on Wednesday. Jeff Hornacek's team gets to find out if its offensive efficiency from the opener was anything more than the Lakers failing to defend.
TV: FSAZ
More on this game: Pounding the Rock | Bright Side of the Sun
The leftovers
All times ET
Sixers vs. Bucks, 8:30 p.m. (League Pass)
Trail Blazers vs. Kings, 10 p.m. (League Pass)
Clippers vs. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN / Watch ESPN)
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