The NBA released its 2016-17 regular-season schedule on Thursday. As Los Angeles Clippers fans peruse their team's schedule, here are the five games they should circle on their calendar:
Oct. 27: Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers
The Clippers enter the season as a title contender but with plenty of questions that need answering including Blake Griffin's long-term future. If the Clippers remain healthy -- a big if -- Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Griffin have enough to bring that elusive title to the Clippers. It's hard to figure out why the Clippers have such bad luck, but injuries to Paul and Griffin doomed them earlier this year in the playoffs against the Trail Blazers, who dug out of a 2-0 hole by winning four straight. If their team is healthy, Clippers fans will get to see what could have been.
Nov. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Clippers
Russell Westbrook could be a man on a mission in Oklahoma City, and it's no secret the Thunder want to bring Griffin, who played at Oklahoma, back home for next season. Westbrook re-signed for two more years after this and he needs a running mate.
Dec. 1: Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Any time the champs come to town it is an event, and with the Clippers as one of the top threats to the Warriors, this could shape up to be a Finals preview.
Dec. 7: Golden State Warriors vs. Clippers
The first meeting will be a titanic matchup of stars with Paul, Jordan and Griffin against Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. The Clippers had a meeting with Durant in free agency but didn't close the deal. Durant chose the Warriors because they had better title chances. The Clippers will try to prove Durant wrong.
Dec. 25: Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
What better than an inner city rivalry game on Christmas. A Kobe-less Lakers team full of young guns will face off with a fully loaded Clips team -- that is, if Paul and Griffin can stay healthy by the time Christmas rolls around.