The Phoenix Suns schedule for the upcoming NBA season has been announced, after a lot of teasing.
Official team press release:
PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns today announced the club's regular season schedule for its 43rd NBA season, which includes a rematch of their 2010 Western Conference Finals matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Suns' home opener on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at US Airways Center.
The Suns open the 2010-11 campaign on the road three nights earlier on Oct. 26 against the Portland Trail Blazers, who Phoenix eliminated in the first round of last season's playoffs. It marks the fifth consecutive season Phoenix will play its season opener away from home. The Suns will visit the Utah Jazz Oct. 28 in their first of 25 nationally-televised games, then return home to face the Lakers on ESPN. Phoenix hosts the rival San Antonio Spurs in its second home game on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., opening the season with five of its first six games against 2009-10 playoff squads.
The Suns' 25 total national television dates include two appearances on ABC, 10 on ESPN, seven on TNT, and six on NBA TV. In addition, ESPN Radio will carry two games. The national television slate is highlighted by both of the Suns' regular season meetings with the rebuilt Miami Heat on Nov. 17 in South Beach on ESPN and Dec. 23 at US Airways Center on TNT. Twice featured as the NBA's showcase game on ABC, Phoenix hosts the Orlando Magic on March 13 at 12:30 p.m. and will travel to San Antonio on April 3.
In addition to the Suns' home opener against the rival Lakers, Phoenix will face Los Angeles three more times, including Jan. 5 in the defending champion's other regular season visit to the Valley of the Sun. Amar'e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks will make their only visit to Phoenix on Jan. 7 at 8:30 p.m. in a game that will be televised on ESPN. The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics visit US Airways Center on Jan. 28 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, and the Washington Wizards and 2010 No. 1 overall pick John Wall make their lone appearance in the Valley on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.
The Suns' schedule includes three road trips of five games or more, including a season-long six-game road swing from Feb. 25-March 6. Phoenix plays nine of its first 14 games away from US Airways Center to start the season, but will play nine of its last 11 games before All-Star break at home, including a season-long five-game homestand from Jan. 26-Feb. 4.
Phoenix plays nearly half of its home games this season on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, including 14 on a Friday. The Suns will play 16 back-to-back sets, four fewer than in 2009-10.
Al McCoy begins his 39th season calling action on flagship station Sports 620 KTAR. FOX Sports Arizona will telecast regular season home games for its eighth consecutive season and My45 will continue to broadcast away games. This season the Suns will once again televise the entire season in High Definition (HD).
Most home games start at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with a 6 p.m. tip-time for Sunday home starts (exceptions are nationally-televised games).
The full schedule can be found here.
Bright Side of the Sun has a nice breakdown and analysis of the schedule. Check it out.