The NBA has officially released the schedule for the upcoming 2015-16 regular season. The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to start back on their road to championship contention and now the team and fans can see the road that lies ahead for the team.
— What will Kobe Bryant make this season? Find out here! —
While every game is important, there are some that are always going to stand out a little more, so I’m going to help you out by giving you 10 dates that you should circle on your calendar.
BEGIN SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — October 28, 2015
The Lakers open up their season at home against one of the brightest young teams in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Two all-time greats in Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett square off, as well as the top two picks in the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. This could be a great barometer for which team is farther along in their rebuilding process.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
2. Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks — November 8, 2015
This could be Kobe Bryant’s final trip to Madison Square Garden, the ‘Basketball Mecca’ where he holds the visiting scoring record at 61 points. Kobe will get one last chance to leave a lasting memory in the most famous basketball arena in America and the Lakers get a chance to make up for their embarrassing showing in New York last season.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
3. Los Angeles Lakers @ Philadelphia 76ers — December 1, 2015
The Los Angeles Lakers bypassed big man Jahlil Okafor to take D’Angelo Russell second overall in the NBA Draft. The Lakers get to see what they decided against up close and personal in Philly and Russell gets the chance to show the Lakers made the right choice. This game also kicks off the Lakers longest road trip of the season (eight games).
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
4. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets — December 17, 2015
Anytime Dwight Howard comes to Staples Center, it is a big deal as he remains ‘Public Enemy No. 1’ in the eyes of most Lakers fans. The last time Dwight played in Los Angeles against the Lakers, he and Kobe had a memorable incident and staredown. This may be one of the rowdiest home crowds of the year at Staples.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
5. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — December 23, 2015
Oklahoma City just so happens to have a transcendent superstar that is a free agent at the end of the 2016 season. Could Lakers fans shower Kevin Durant with some love to help convince him to come to Los Angeles in the off-season? Maybe not, but the Lakers have had some entertaining showdowns with the Thunder the last couple of years and Jordan Clarkson torched them for 30 points late last season in a loss.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
6. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers — December 25, 2015
The first game between the tenants of Staples Center takes place on Christmas Day this year. Anytime the Lakers and Clippers play, the atmosphere is electric and the Lakers will be looking to reclaim their (rightful) spot atop Los Angeles. The Clippers have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams including a sweep last season, so the Lakers have plenty of motivation.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
7. Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics — December 30, 2015
It’s Lakers-Celtics — nothing else really needs to be said. It doesn’t matter who is on either roster, when these two teams play it just means a little more. Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant will make sure the young Lakers are extra focused for this game, and Brandon Bass gets to take part in the rivalry as a member of the purple and gold.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
8. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls — January 28, 2016
Pau Gasol coming back to Los Angeles is always a big deal as he is beloved in Los Angeles. Sure the moment took place last season, but Gasol and Kobe are brothers and it is fun remembering what the Spaniard did for the franchise. These teams also produced a double-OT thriller last season, so it has the potential to be a very fun game to watch.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
9. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers — March 10, 2016
LeBron’s only trip to Staples Center comes in March and will definitely be a test for Kobe Bryant who will be playing a lot of small forward this season. Being matched up with the physically dominant James will be a challenge Kobe relishes and who can forget Kobe’s 17-assist performance last season. He will want a win this time.
CONTINUE SLIDESHOW: 10 Lakers Games To Watch In 2015-16 NBA Season
10. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz — April 13, 2016
In the final game of the season, this could possibly be Kobe Bryant’s final game in the NBA. If Kobe indeed ends his career after this season, this will be his final time stepping on the Staples Center floor. Have your tissues ready because there will be tears shed at the end of this one.
Honorable Mention: 11/3 vs. Denver (Russell vs. Mudiay), 11/24 @ Golden State (Russell/Clarkson vs Splash Brothers), 12/7 @ Toronto (Lou Williams return to Raptors), 2/8 @ Indiana (Roy Hibbert returns to Pacers), 2/19 vs. San Antonio (Kobe vs. Duncan for last time?)
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