Along with the usual suspects, the Timberwolves, Pacers, Raptors, Wizards, Rockets and Sixers are all scheduled to appear on ESPN during the 2011-12 NBA season.
ESPN is scheduled to air 75 regular season NBA games this year, with the typical marquee teams getting most of the airtime. Along with the Spurs, Nuggets and Trail Blazers, high-profile teams the Heat, Knicks, Lakers, Celtics, Mavericks, Bulls, and Thunder are each scheduled to make at least nine appearances this season.
The early season schedule will be highlighted by a pair of vitriol-laden games, as Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks travel to Denver on November 16 (10:30 PM ET) and LeBron James and the Heat return to Cleveland on November 18 (8:00 PM ET). Of course, both of those early season homecomings could be easily wiped out by the NBA lockout.
Other notable games include Celtics/Knicks on Christmas Day (12 PM ET) and Knicks/Heat on January 27 (8 PM).
The ESPN schedule also features some of the NBA’s lesser lights, with Rockets/Sixers on November 9 (8 PM), Rockets/Timberwolves on November 25 (7:00 PM), Pacers/Trail Blazers on December 2 (10:30 PM), and even Raptors/Wizards on the final night of the season (8 PM).
Of note, Mark Jackson and his Warriors will make more appearances on ESPN (six) than Dwight Howard and his Magic (five). The Clippers (eight) and Suns (eight) will also make more appearances than Orlando.
(Information from espnmediazone3.com)
