The 2011-2012 NBA schedule is out, and with the lockout-shortened season teams are playing a 66-game season with a higher percentage of games against the same conference. For the Los Angeles Lakers, this means 48 games against the Western Conference and 18 contests vs. the Eastern Conference. Here is a look at the eastern foes for Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and the gang.
Each team plays three teams from the other conference twice, with single games against the other 12 teams in the opposite conference. For the Lakers, their path through the Eastern Conference includes a home-and-home with three marquee teams:
- Miami Heat: January 19 in Miami (TNT); March 4 in Los Angeles (ABC)
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Boston Celtics: February 9 in Boston (TNT); March 11 in Los Angeles (ABC)
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New York Knicks: December 29 in Los Angeles (TNT); February 10 in New York (ESPN)
The Lakers will host the Chicago Bulls (December 25), Cleveland Cavaliers (January 13), Indiana Pacers (January 22), Charlotte Bobcats (January 31), Atlanta Hawks (February 14), and New Jersey Nets (April 3). The Lakers will travel to face the Orlando Magic (January 20), Milwaukee Bucks (January 28), Philadelphia 76ers (February 6), Toronto Raptors (February 12), Detroit Pistons (March 6), and Washington Wizards (March 7).
The Lakers were 21-9 against the Eastern Conference in 2010-2011.
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