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The menu for the Spurs 82-course meal was released today in the form of the 2014-2015 NBA schedule. The defending champs can now look over the opponents they will face during the grueling regular season. After a five-game demolition of the Miami Heat in the Finals and a victory over Oklahoma City for the Western Conference crown, the Spurs must now show how hungry they are.
Spurs fans have had almost two months to celebrate title victory numero cinco. Now the focus turns from a title won to a title to defend. Last year, the Spurs achieved something they'd never accomplished: reaching back-to-back Finals. With no big acquisitions in free agency the team remains almost precisely what it was last year, leaving only the question of whether they can win back-to-back championships.
While regular season success doesn't dictate post-season glory, the schedule gives the world an idea of what they'll get from the five-time champs. The NBA fanbase will get to watch the Spurs in action before they see anyone else when Tim Duncan and company host the Dallas Mavericks, their long-time nemesis, in the season opener. The Spurs will receive their championship rings and unveil the 2014 title banner before a rematch with their toughest opponent from the 2014 run.
Also awaiting the Spurs will be a very unpleasant Christmas gift from Santa: an angry Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook craving revenge. Christmas Day games have often be unpleasant for Spurs fans, but at least we get to watch our Spurs on a big stage.
So feast your eyes on the schedule, Spurs fans. Make predictions, decide on which games you want tickets to and what games you can't miss. And rejoice, for a Spurs new campaign is before you.
More reaction and schedule analysis will soon.
REGULAR SEASON
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OCTOBER
Tue. 10/28 Dallas 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 10/31 AT Phoenix 9:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER
Wed. 11/5 Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 11/6 AT Houston 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 11/8 New Orleans 7:30 p.m.
Mon. 11/10 AT L.A. Clippers 9:30 p.m.
Tue. 11/11 AT Golden State 9:30 p.m.
Fri. 11/14 AT L.A. Lakers 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 11/15 AT Sacramento 9:00 p.m.
Mon. 11/17 Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 11/19 AT Cleveland 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 11/21 AT Minnesota 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 11/22 Brooklyn 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 11/26 Indiana 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 11/28 Sacramento 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 11/30 AT Boston noon
DECEMBER
Mon. 12/1 AT Philadelphia 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/3 AT Brooklyn 6:30 p.m.
Fri. 12/5 AT Memphis 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 12/6 Minnesota 7:30 p.m.
Tue. 12/9 AT Utah 8:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/10 New York 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 12/12 L.A. Lakers 8:30 p.m.
Sun. 12/14 AT Denver 7:00 p.m.
Mon. 12/15 AT Portland 9:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/17 Memphis 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 12/19 Portland 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 12/20 AT Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Mon. 12/22 L.A. Clippers 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 12/25 Oklahoma City 1:30 p.m.
Fri. 12/26 AT New Orleans 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 12/28 Houston 6:00 p.m.
Tue. 12/30 AT Memphis 7:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/31 New Orleans 6:00 p.m.
JANUARY
Sat. 1/3 Washington 7:30 p.m.
Tue. 1/6 Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 1/9 Phoenix 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 1/10 AT Minnesota 7:00 p.m.
Tue. 1/13 AT Washington 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 1/14 AT Charlotte 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 1/16 Portland 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 1/18 Utah 6:00 p.m.
Tue. 1/20 AT Denver 8:00 p.m.
Thu. 1/22 AT Chicago 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 1/23 L.A. Lakers 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 1/25 Milwaukee 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 1/28 Charlotte 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 1/31 L.A. Clippers 8:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY
Wed. 2/4 Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 2/6 Miami 8:30 p.m.
Sun. 2/8 AT Toronto 6:00 p.m.
Mon. 2/9 AT Indiana 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 2/11 AT Detroit 6:30 p.m.
Thu. 2/19 AT L.A. Clippers 9:30 p.m.
Fri. 2/20 AT Golden State 9:30 p.m.
Mon. 2/23 AT Utah 8:00 p.m.
Wed. 2/25 AT Portland 9:30 p.m.
Fri. 2/27 AT Sacramento 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 2/28 AT Phoenix 8:00 p.m.
MARCH
Wed. 3/4 Sacramento 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 3/6 Denver 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 3/8 Chicago noon
Tue. 3/10 Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 3/12 Cleveland 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 3/15 Minnesota 6:00 p.m.
Tue. 3/17 AT New York 6:30 p.m.
Wed. 3/18 AT Milwaukee 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 3/20 Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 3/22 AT Atlanta 2:00 p.m.
Tue. 3/24 AT Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 3/25 Oklahoma City 8:30 p.m.
Fri. 3/27 Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 3/29 Memphis 6:00 p.m.
Tue. 3/31 AT Miami 7:00 p.m.
APRIL
Wed. 4/1 AT Orlando 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 4/3 Denver 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 4/5 Golden State 6:00 p.m.
Tue. 4/7 AT Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.
Wed. 4/8 Houston 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 4/10 AT Houston 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 4/12 Phoenix 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 4/15 AT New Orleans 7:00 p.m.