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The 2024-2025 NBA season kicks off on Tuesday, October 22, and on August 15, basketball fans were treated to an entertaining schedule launch by several teams in the Association. A shout-out to the Minnesota Timberwolves social team, who lost the Best schedule reveal videoToday, I’ll be detailing how the schedule impacts fantasy basketball and some notable games to watch during the regular season.
Key Yahoo fantasy basketball dates you should know
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Mock drafts begin: Thursday, August 22 (next Thursday!!)
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Live drafts begin: Thursday, August 22
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Live drafts finalize: Sunday, March 9th
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Game Start Date: Tuesday, October 22
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Game End Date:Sunday, April 13
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Default trading deadline: Thursday, March 6th
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Default start of playoffs: Monday, March 17 (Week 20)
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Default Playoff Final: Sunday, April 6 (Week 22)
Click here for more information on the Yahoo Fantasy schedule
Key NBA dates you should know
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Start of the league: Tuesday, October 22
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NBA Emirates Cup: November 12 – December 17
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NBA All-Star Weekend: February 14-16 (San Francisco, CA)
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End of the league: April 13th
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Play-In Tournament: April 15-18
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The playoffs begin: April 19
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The NBA finals begin:June 5th
Click here for more information on NBA programming
NBA schedule conclusions
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I recommend starting fantasy playoffs as early as Week 18 (March 3) and no later than Week 20 (March 17). Talk to your commissioner, because the last thing you want to do is play until the end of the season when losing teams fold or playoff contenders rest their core players before the postseason.
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While we may continue to see less load management with so many contractual incentives tied to participation, it is concerning that the average number of consecutive games per team has increased to 14.9%. However, eliminating the four games in five-night scenarios is significant when you factor in travel and player rest. Special mention to Tim Reynolds for taking the time to do this analysis.
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11 teams play the most consecutive games (16): Hawks, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Rockets, Clippers, Bucks, Pelicans, Thunder, Suns, Kings and Wizards.Kawhi Leonard’s knees are not happy with this news.)
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Six teams play the fewest consecutive games (13): Celtics, Bulls, Mavericks, Lakers, Magic and Trail Blazers. What can I say? The league loves LeBron
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Easier programming force: (1) Denver Nuggets, (2) Indiana Pacers, (3) Orlando Magic, (4) Boston Celtics and (5) New York Knicks
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Hardest force on the schedule: (30) Portland Trail Blazers, (29) Los Angeles Clippers, (28) Houston Rockets, (27) Phoenix Suns and (26) Brooklyn Nets
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The Phoenix Suns have the largest rest disparity in the NBA in -4 games (six games with rest advantage compared to ten games with rest disadvantage). This is something to consider when you take into account Bradley Beal’s health problems and Kevin Durant’s age.
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The Warriors and Bulls have the best record in the league. +4 in games with rest advantage (compared to games with rest disadvantage)
Opening night: Tuesday, October 22
It’s only fitting that the reigning champions will play on opening night and face one of their most challenging opponents in the Eastern Conference, the revamped New York Knicks. It will be interesting to see how the Boston Celtics fare without Kristaps Porzingis early in the season. On the other hand, seeing how Julius Randle fits into the Knicks’ loaded starting unit will also affect the fantasy values of fellow starters Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby; there’s still plenty left to see.
I’m not thrilled about the Lakers tying the opener, but I understand that. I’m just asking that we forget about the father-son moment as soon as possible. We don’t need or want that story to drag on. It’s wishful thinking, but at least we’ll also get to see the T’Wolves on the rise with Anthony Edwards and company.
Five games I’m excited about at the start of the season
October 30: Spurs vs. Thunder
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, the stars of the 2023 rookie class, will face off in the second week of the season. A series you can’t miss.
November 6: Warriors vs. Celtics
Jayson Tatum could be hitting 50+ after Steve Kerr left him out too long at the Paris Olympics.
November 12: Knicks vs. Sixers
A heated rivalry that intensified after the Knicks eliminated the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs last season. Add in Philadelphia native Mikal Bridges, who will be returning to the Wells Fargo Center, plus Paul George, and you’ve got a war going on.
November 29: Grizzlies vs. Pelicans
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Ja Morant and Zion Williamson go head to head.
December 3: Rockets vs. Kings
The Kings signed DeMar DeRozan to add more firepower to their offense, and the Rockets are on the rise as one of the best young teams in the league. I’m betting it will be a challenge.
NBA Emirates Cup
The Emirates NBA Cup, previously a seasonal tournament, begins on November 12 and will conclude with the championship match on December 17.
Impact on fantasy basketball: He The Week 7 scoring period will run from December 2 through December 15 (two weeks). The NBA will hold the championship game on December 17, but it will not count toward the Week 8 fantasy scoring period. After the championship game concludes, the Week 8 scoring period will run from Thursday, December 19 through Sunday, December 22.
Learn more about the Emirates NBA Cup
The Christmas Day lineup!
Fantasy football is coming to a close right now, and the NBA did a great job of bringing in some heavy hitters for the holidays to compete with the NFL.
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San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
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Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
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The first matchup of the season between Steph Curry, LeBron James and Anthony Davis since they won gold at the Paris Olympics. I can’t wait for it, even though these two teams are no longer playoff contenders.
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Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
Top 10 Nationally Televised Matches by Team (ESPN, ABC and TNT)
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Lakers: 29
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Celts: 26
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Warriors: 24
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Knicks: 24
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Mavericks: 23
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Nuggets: 22
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76ers: 21
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Soles: 19
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Dollars: 18
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Timber Wolves: 18
