By NBA
Posted Nov 27 2011 2:10PM
NBA Commissioner David Stern said early Saturday morning that, if the tentative agreement reached between the owners and players is completed and ratified, he is hopeful of having a 66-game season, beginning on Christmas Day. Below is a general breakdown of how the 2011-12 NBA Season schedule will be structured. The five-game Christmas Day slate is also listed below.
Full details of the schedule will be released on NBA.com upon its completion.
Regular Season Start Date: December 25, 2011
Regular Season End Date: April 26, 2012
Playoffs Start Date: April 28, 2012
Last Possible Finals Date: June 26, 2012
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks, 12 p.m. ET | TNT
Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks, 2:30 p.m. ET | ABC
Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers, 5 p.m. ET | ABC
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. ET | ESPN
Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Conference Games: 48
• Play 6 teams 4 times (2 home, 2 away)
• Play 4 teams 3 times (2 home, 1 away)
• Play 4 teams 3 times (1 home, 2 away)
Non-Conference Games: 18
• Play 3 teams 2 times (1 home, 1 away)
• Play 6 teams 1 time at home
• Play 6 teams 1 time away
Back to Back to Backs: All teams with at least 1; no more than 3
Playoff Back to Backs: Possible in second round

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![]() | Grizzlies-Spurs: Game 2 Preview Steve Smith and Brent Barry look ahead to Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals Tuesday at 9p ET on ESPN. |
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