Despite lockout, NBA releases its schedule for next season

Among the marquee nationally televised on ABC, ESPN and TNT:

• The NBA champion Dallas Mavericks would open at home Nov. 1 vs. the Chicago Bulls, who finished with the league's best record last season, and the would host the Western Conference finalist Oklahoma City Thunder.

• The Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat would open on the road at the New York  the following night.

• Last season's Christmas Day game,. Heat, would be Dec. 8.

• The Mavericks and Heat would have their Finals rematch Dec. 25, followed by the   Bulls. The  Boston Celtics would open the day's action, but the Christmas schedule is scaled back from five games last season.

NBA All-Star weekend is scheduled Feb. 24-26 and the Orlando Magic would play the New Jersey Nets in London on March 7 and 8.

The Mavericks and Boston Celtics would have the most national TV appearances, which includes NBA TV, with 30, followed by the  and Bulls (29), Heat (28) and and Thunder (27).

Those totals do not include "Fan Night" selections on the network.

Even with a lockout, teams are promoting and selling regular-season ticket packages, but single-game tickets wouldn't be available until October at the earliest. The last day of the season would be April 18.