NBA games to watch

 With the primetime, opening night matchup of Celtics vs. Heat now in the rearview, it’s time to take a look at other NBA games circled on our calendar for the 2012-2013 season.

L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 7 at 9:30 p.m.

The race for Western Conference starts early. Last year, the Thunder knocked out the Lakers quickly en route to their first ever NBA Finals appearance. This year, it won’t be as simple. Dwight Howard has arrived with Steve Nash to front a Laker starting five that consists of four legitimate all-stars and a trio of probable Hall-of-Famers. Don’t go anywhere that night.

Oklahoma City at Miami, Sunday, Dec. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

A rematch of last year’s Finals in South Beach is played on Christmas. Dress comfortably, open your presents and enjoy as a repeat Finals matchup might be on it’s way in less than six months.

Miami at Boston, Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1:00 p.m.

The two new rivals tangle for the first time since last night in Ray Allen’s return to Beantown. Expect too many boo’s from an intense crowd that will be watching a game go down to the wire.

Boston at LA Lakers, Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 10:30 p.m.

This is a must-see game each and every year and this season shouldn’t disappoint. A deeper, faster Boston club will look to run on Los Angeles who hopes to pound the C’s inside in a half-court game.

Oklahoma City at Charlotte, Friday, Mar. 8 at 7:00 p.m.

You can wipe the confused look off your face. We all do in fact know the result already— Big OKC win. But, over those lopsided 48 minutes, we’ll have a happy Kemba Walker-Jeremy Lamb reunion happening just a day’s drive south from Storrs. Spring Break roadtrip, anyone?
Miami at Chicago, Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 8:00 p.m.

Derrick Rose ought to be fully recovered from ACL surgery by this point and perhaps be just in time to save the Bulls’ postseason hopes. A win against Miami here would certainly put a lot of wind in those playoff sails as April approaches.