NBA Game of the Week for the Week of October 29 - November 5
The 2012-2013 NBA season is here and the opening week schedule is packed with 41 games. There are a number of interesting and intriguing matchups in the first week of this season, but the NBA Game of the Week features the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics.
Fewer than five months ago, LeBron James and the Heat put an end to Boston's season with a 101-88 victory in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Back then, Ray Allen was a member of the Boston Celtics, but now the sharp-shooting guard plays for the Heat.
By itself, Allen's move from Boston to Miami would be compelling enough to make the Celtics-Heat matchup the biggest game of the week. But when you add the rivalry that is growing between these two teams and the fact that the Heat will receive their championship rings before the game to the mix, this opening night drama becomes must see TV.
Tuesday, October 30, Boston Celtics (0-0) at Miami Heat (0-0), 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT
TNT will open their season-long coverage of the NBA with a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference Finals. The defending NBA Champion Miami Heat will begin their quest for back-to-back titles in an opening night matchup against the rival Boston Celtics. Each of the past three seasons, Miami and Boston have met in the playoffs with the winner of each matchup eventually representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
Last season, the Heat won the series and went on to win the 2012 NBA Championship as well. Before the game, the Heat will receive their championship rings and hoist their championship banner.
Both teams look a little differently than they did last season. The biggest change however, is Ray Allen's defection from Boston to Miami. In addition to adding Allen to their roster, the Heat also acquired Rashard Lewis.
Boston will replace Allen's production with two quality guards in Jason Terry and Courtney Lee. The Celtics will also have forward Jeff Green, who missed all of last season, back in their lineup.
Each of these new additions will have an opportunity to make a difference in this opening night matchup. And the one who makes the most substantial contribution will likely help his team to a 1-0 start.
Mark is a lifelong fan of the NBA who has loved the game of basketball ever since his first trip to an NBA arena. Mark has watched more basketball games than anyone can count and has hundreds of articles about the NBA published on the internet. Mark also shares his random NBA musings and game-by-game predictions on RandomNBAFan.com.
More on the 2012-2013 NBA Schedule
2012 NBA Opening Night Schedule: One NBA Fan's Outlook
Boston Celtics 2012-2013 Game-by-Game Predictions: One NBA Fan's Outlook
Miami Heat 2012-2013 Game-by-Game Predictions: One NBA Fan's Outlook
2012-2013 NBA Schedule: Heat and Lakers Host Opening Night - Fan's Preview
Information from ESPN.com's NBA Schedule and Boston Celtics 2012 Schedule was used for this article.
