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The 2021-22 NBA pre-season games will commence on October 3, giving fans an idea of what to expect ahead of the new season. These games are an avenue for the players to get loose and experience what it would be like playing with their new teammates.
With the NBA training camp commencing in two weeks, players will get the opportunity to get familiar with each other and train as a unit. That is important, especially for a team like the LA Lakers, who approached the offseason aggressively and made numerous roster changes.
As we anticipate the start of pre-season games, some fixtures are worth keeping an eye out for. Here are the top five 2021-22 NBA pre-season games that will spark interest league-wide.
#5 LA Lakers vs Golden State Warriors
The LA Lakers are undoubtedly one of the top teams to watch out for in the 2021-22 NBA season. They have gone all out to bring in elite talents who can keep things running in offense with or without LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, thanks to the first blow dealt by the Lakers in the play-in tournament. Watching LeBron James and Stephen Curry go at each other once again should be a pleasing sight.
Although no championships are at stake this time, it will still be fun to watch. The last time both teams met, James sunk a clutch three-pointer moments after he was poked in the eye.
Ahead of their 2021-22 NBA season opener, the Lakers and Warriors will square off against each other twice in pre-season (October 8 & 12). With Klay Thompson's possible return, the Warriors are likely to find their way back to postseason action.
#4 LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks
It will be another opportunity for the Dallas Mavericks to overcome the LA Clippers, who were responsible for their NBA playoffs exit for two consecutive seasons. In the 2021 playoffs, the Clippers came back from a 2-0 deficit before closing out the series in a riveting Game 7.
On October 8, the Mavericks will have a crack at the Clippers, who will be playing without Kawhi Leonard. Although the Mavericks' offseason moves do not hold huge promise, we'll get a preview of how the team could fare in the 2021-22 NBA season.
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#3 LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns were responsible for sending a depleted LA Lakers team packing from the 2021 NBA playoffs in the first round. Anthony Davis' absence made all the difference, especially as LeBron James was also not fully fit.
The Lakers will have an opportunity to exact revenge on the Suns, who were responsible for their early exit in the playoffs. With injuries out of the way, we'll see both teams face off with full rosters.
Both teams will meet twice in the pre-season (October 6 & 10) before their first game of the 2021-22 NBA season, which is scheduled for October 22. JaVale McGee will face some of his former teammates for the first time in a Suns uniform.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets
The teams that featured in the 2021 NBA playoffs Eastern Conference Semi-finals will once again go head to head.
This time a healthy Brooklyn Nets team will not depend on Kevin Durant to play every minute of the game. Even with a healthy roster, the Nets won't have it easy against the Milwaukee Bucks, as they have arguably the best power forward in the league right now.
Both teams will meet only once in the pre-season (October 8) before their season opener on October 19. What better way to usher in the new season with the two best teams in the East going head to head?
Even with the firepower on the Nets' roster, it will not be an easy game to call. Meanwhile, one thing is for certain: there will be no PJ Tucker to pester KD when both teams meet again during the 2021-22 NBA season.
#1 Brooklyn Nets vs LA Lakers
The NBA has done all it can early in the preseason to give fans what could be a preview into the 2022 NBA Finals. The LA Lakers will square off against the Brooklyn Nets on the first day of pre-season, and that will be the only game to be played on the day.
Perhaps we could have gotten a taste of this matchup if both teams stayed healthy and managed to reach the 2021 NBA Finals. Nevertheless, the pre-season game will give us an insight on how both teams could line up and how the players will combine.
Although it will be a pre-season game that won't count towards either team's win-loss ratio for the 2021-22 season, both teams will be eager to display their strengths. However, players of both teams will be cautious not to get injured before the regular NBA season commences.
