2. Thu, Oct. 24, Milwaukee Bucks at Houston Rockets
Arena: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: TNT
Basketball is finally back! In this game, the Bucks travel to Houston to take on the Rockets to tip off the new season. Houston made a big splash this year by trading Chris Paul to the Thunder for Russell Westbrook, reuniting him with James Harden.
This will be a highly exciting game to start of the season, but the real reason it’s my second most intriguing game of the season is because of James Harden’s complaining all offseason. He won’t stop whining about not winning MVP. In a recent interview with GQ, here’s what Harden had to say when asked about the media going with an MVP based on a narrative:
"“That’s just what it is. You can’t tell me that a guy whose team was a 14-seed at one point last year, and ended up a four-seed with everything that was going on—so many injuries—and who went on a 32-game 30-point streak, eight 50-point games, two 60-point games in one season…and all the talk was about [Giannis Antetokounmpo]? There’s no way.”"
It’s time to watch Giannis show James Harden exactly why he’s the NBA MVP, and there’s no better time to do it than on national TV in the season opener. Let’s not forget, this also has the potential to be a first look at an opponent who could emerge from the West too.
1. Tue, Apr. 7, Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
TV: TNT
This game is by far the most intriguing game of the season for me. If everything plays out the way most expect it will, this is an Eastern Conference Finals preview. The 76ers are the biggest threat to the Bucks’ championship hopes, and this game could have huge playoff implications.
With this being game 78 of 82, both teams should be fighting for the top seed in the East, making the season series against Philadelphia all the more important. Philadelphia is always a tough place to play, so the Bucks would certainly benefit from having home-court-advantage.
Of all the measuring stick games, this one is the biggest. We get a chance to see how these teams stack up against their biggest threats, with the rosters that both teams will have going into the playoffs. It’s bound to be a playoff tune-up for the ages, and I can’t wait to watch it.