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The NBA has released the schedule for the upcoming 2012-2013 season, and I'm sure you'll be shocked to find out that our beloved Los Angeles Lakers feature prominently. The Lakers will open the season at home against the Dallas Mavericks.
In a rare twist of fate, the Lakers will not be a part of the marquee match up on the flagship day of the NBA's regular season. That honor will go to the first rematch of last year's NBA Finals participants, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat. But, the Lakers will (of course) be playing on Christmas, as they have since time immemorial, hosting the New York Knicks. That's the first half of a particularly messed up Staples Center doubleheader, with the LA Clippers rounding out the schedule five hours after the Lakers' contest ends. A doubleheader on Christmas? The NBA has no love for the Staples center ground crew. And one last contest of note: Steve Nash will face the wrath of his former fanbase for the first time on January 30th.
We'll have more analysis of the schedule later on, but for now, bask in the thought of the return of basketball, with some awesome new faces.