NEW YORK – The NBA champion Dallas Mavericks will open the season — if it begins on time — at home on Nov. 1 against MVP Derrick Rose and Chicago, then host Miami in a finals rematch Christmas Day.
The NBA released its complete 2011-12 schedule Tuesday despite being in a lockout that could last months and cause it to be scrapped.
Owners and players are still well apart in negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expired June 30, and there is a fear that regular-season games could be lost to a work stoppage for the second time in league history.
If not, Utah will host Houston in the Rockets’ first game under Kevin McHale and without Yao Ming, and Oklahoma City will visit new coach Mike Brown and the Lakers to conclude the opening-night schedule.
Most teams begin Nov. 2, with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh starting their second season together on the Heat and facing a Knicks team led by Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
Also, Golden State hosts the Lakers in its first game under rookie coach Mark Jackson. No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving would make his pro debut that night when Cleveland visits Boston.
The
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