Despite the NBA lockout holding strong, the Phoenix Suns released their 2011-12 preseason schedule on Thursday, with some intriguing match-ups and exotic locales on the docket.

They kick it off at home, hosting the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, October 11 at the U.S. Airways Center, followed by back-to-back meetings with the Portland Trailblazers. Their first game is on Saturday, October 15 at the Rose Garden, then travel up North to Vancouver to play them again two days later at Rogers Arena.

From there they head to the Bay to take on the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on the 18th, then another back-to-back match up with the Denver Nuggets; at the U.S. Airways Center on the 20th, then at the Pepsi Center in Denver on the 23rd. They wrap up their preseason at home on Tuesday the 25th against the Oklahoma City Thunder, before they embark on their regular season quest a few days later.

From suns.com:

2011 PHOENIX SUNS PRESEASON SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME

Tues., Oct. 11 L.A. Clippers US Airways Center, Phoenix 7 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 15 Portland Trail Blazers Rose Garden, Portland 7 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 17 Portland Trail Blazers Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada 7 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 18 Golden St. Warriors ORACLE Arena, Oakland 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 20 Denver Nuggets US Airways Center, Phoenix 7 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 23 Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center, Denver 6 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 25 Okla. City Thunder US Airways Center, Phoenix 7 p.m.

All times Phoenix time