NBA 2015-16 season tipoff Tuesday on TNT

The NBA 2015-16 season tipoff is Tuesday, Oct. 27, beginning at 8pm ET on TNT with LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers at the Chicago Bulls, followed by the New Orleans Pelicans visiting Stephen Curry and the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. ESPN’s coverage of the regular season begins Wednesday, Oct. 28, beginning at 8pm ET with the San Antonio Spurs at the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the L.A. Lakers.

Dismiss the Golden State Warriors at your own risk.

Injuries to key players so dramatically altered the NBA playoffs last season, many believe the Warriors’ first title in 40 years was a fluke and won’t be repeated. Sure, the Cleveland Cavaliers have Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving back from injury for a second season with LeBron James. Kevin Durant’s return from a broken foot instantly puts the Oklahoma City Thunder back in the title hunt. The San Antonio Spurs added David West and scored the offseason’s biggest free agent prize in LaMarcus Aldridge.

But the Warriors won 67 games last season (45 of them by 10 or more points), had the top-rated defense and the second-best-rated offense, and had a 16-5 record in the playoffs. With their core intact and improving, Stephen Curry and company will prove they have more than just luck on their side.

The 2015-16 NBA regular season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 27, on TNT, which airs 53 national regular-season games, NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto Feb. 12-14 and more than 40 playoff games. ESPN and ABC combine for 90 regular-season games, up to 44 playoff games and exclusive NBA Finals coverage on ABC. NBA TV’s extensive regular-season schedule begins Oct. 31 and includes 31 doubleheaders.

The NBA’s Dec. 25 Christmas Day showcase features five games split between ESPN and ABC. Action tips off with Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans visiting Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on ESPN. Then Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls visit the Thunder, followed by an NBA Finals rematch with the Cavaliers at the Warriors, both on ABC. The evening has the Spurs at the Houston Rockets and the L.A. Clippers at the L.A. Lakers, both on ESPN.

The new NBA Saturday Night on ABC franchise of national primetime TV games debuts Jan. 23 with the Bulls at the Cavaliers. ABC airs games on eight Saturday nights through April 9. ABC’s Sunday afternoon slate begins Jan. 31 with the Bulls at the Clippers.

The NBA reached a nine-year, $24 billion multiplatform rights agreement with ESPN/ABC and Turner Sports that takes effect with the 2016-17 season and includes more national TV games, flexible scheduling and improved live streaming options.

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.