While Mike Tirico is currently gearing up for his 10th season as the voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football, that isn’t keeping the versatile play-by-play veteran from keeping an eye on the upcoming NBA season.
On Wednesday, the ABC and ESPN telecast schedule for the 2015-16 NBA regular-season was revealed, and Tirico, also one of ESPN’s premier NBA commentators, talked to Front Row about nine games he anticipates being special.
Fri, Oct. 30: Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers on ESPN
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets on ESPN
Tirico’s Take: While there is always focus on our opening night of coverage [Wed, Oct. 28], our first Friday doubleheader on Oct. 30 is highlighted by Dwyane Wade versus LeBron James. And, that is followed by Stephen Curry versus James Harden – a Western Conference Finals rematch in the second game of the season [for both teams].
Nov. 18, Nov. 20 and Dec. 4: New Orleans Pelicans on ESPN
Tirico’s Take: We will find out early-on how real the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis are with games in the same week at the Oklahoma City Thunder (Nov. 18) and versus the San Antonio Spurs (Nov. 20). Then, they host the Cleveland Cavaliers two weeks later on Dec. 4.
Dec. 18: Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs on ESPN
Tirico’s Take: This will be the first meeting between these two teams since their incredible series to start the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
Jan. 30: San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers on ABC
Tirico’s Take: This is the NBA Finals matchup that many projected last season and the Spurs are even more fortified after this offseason.
Feb 20: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers on ABC
Tirico’s Take: The Clippers feel like they should have been the team representing the Western Conference in the 2015 NBA Finals. They are built to win now. These Warriors-Clippers matchups should be big all season.
Feb. 21: Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder on ABC
Tirico’s Take: We were robbed of this last year because of injuries. This year hopefully we have LeBron James versus Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving versus Russell Westbrook in a great matchup.
