2010-2011 NBA Schedule Heat at Lakers on Christmas Day

One week after a portion of the 2010-2011 NBA schedule was released the remaining NBA schedule was announced. The much-anticipated 2010-2011 NBA season will be filled with drama and intrigue. Debuts, first meetings, rematches, and returns are just a few of the subplots awaiting NBA fans this season. Here are a few of the more intriguing offerings of the 2010-2011 NBA schedule.

Tuesday, October 26th Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
The 2010-2011 NBA schedule will tip-off with the ballyhooed debut of the Miami Heat All-Star Trio. Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade will lead the revamped Heat into the TD Garden for an intriguing matchup with the Boston Celtics. It is fitting that this game tips-off both the 2010-2011 NBA season and TNT's season-long NBA coverage. TNT knows drama and the Heat-Celtics matchup has drama to spare.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will begin their quest to start a Miami Heat dynasty in the same place where the Celtics ended both LeBron's and Dwyane's most recent playoff runs. Shaquille O'Neal recently signed with the Boston Celtics and his presence will bring even more intrigue to an already interesting matchup. Shaq has played with two members of the Miami Heat All Star Trio (James and Wade) and has likened the other to RuPaul. Celtics vs. Heat, Shaq vs. LeBron, Shaq vs. D-Wade, Shaq vs. Chris Bosh, and Boston's Big Three vs. Miami's All-Star Trio are just some of the interesting storylines the season opener has to offer.

Wednesday, October 27th Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers will finally get to debut their 2009 number one overall draft pick Blake Griffin when the Portland Trail Blazers visit Staples Center. Griffin missed all of last season with a broken left kneecap. Greg Oden Portland's 2007 number one overall pick missed his rookie season with a knee injury of his own and has not played a full 82 games in any of his three seasons. All parties involved hope both players get through this game unscathed.

Thursday, October 28th Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic
The NBA will debut their newest arena and the 2010 number one overall draft pick when the Magic host John Wall and the Washington Wizards in Orlando's brand new Amway Center.

Thursday, December 2nd Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James, Cleveland's prodigal son, will return to Quicken Loans Arena for the first time since Game 5 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals when he leads his new team, the Miami Heat, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Will the Cleveland crowd cheer him for seven years of service, jeer him for his lethargic performance in his final game at the "Q", or will they do something more sinister for "The Decision?" We will be able to watch the drama unfold on TNT.

Saturday, December 25th Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers
NBA fans will get a special holiday present when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Miami Heat on Christmas Day. The team that ruled the 2000s versus the team that wants to take their crown and rule the 2010s is possibly the most anticipated matchup on the 2010-2011 NBA schedule. Kobe, LeBron, D-Wade, and the others will give NBA fans a present to remember; a present which just might be a prelude to the 2011 NBA Finals.

Sunday, January 30th Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
In this rematch of the 2010 NBA Finals the Celtics will have two newly acquired O'Neals (Jermaine and Shaquille) to help combat the Lakers' formidable frontline. This game will feature the last three champions, the aura of a Celtics-Lakers matchup, and a Kobe vs. Shaq subplot.

Click here for 2010-2011 NBA Schedule Lakers and Celtics Host Opening Night.

Information from ESPN.com's NBA Schedule was used for this article.