July 26, 2012
The Charlotte Bobcats will open the 2012-13 campaign with eight of their first 12 games at Time Warner Cable Arena, including the season opener on Friday, Nov. 2 against the Indiana Pacers. The Bobcats will make two national television appearances on NBA TV and play 18 weekend home dates. The 82-game schedule consists of 41 home and 41 road dates.
Highlights of the home schedule include two visits each from the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. The defending NBA Champion Heat, led by reigning league Most Valuable Player LeBron James, will visit the Queen City on Wed., Dec. 26 and Friday, April 5. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo will lead the Celtics to town on Monday, Feb. 11 and Tuesday, March 12. The revamped Knicks and perennial All-Star Carmelo Anthony will travel to Charlotte on Wednesday, Dec. 5 and Monday, April 15.
Kevin Durant and the Western Conference Champion Oklahoma City Thunder will make their lone appearance at Time Warner Cable Arena on Friday, March 8. Other marquee opponents coming to Charlotte only once this season include Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, Dec. 8; Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Dec. 12; Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Feb. 8; and Deron Williams and the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, March 6.
The Bobcats will play 18 weekend home games, including eight on Fridays and 10 on Saturdays. The two NBA TV games are against the Spurs on Dec. 8 and against 2012 No. 1 NBA Draft pick Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday, Dec. 29.
Thirty-six of the 41 home games will begin at 7:00 p.m. Exceptions include three 7:30 p.m. tips against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Nov. 10, the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, Nov. 17 and the Clippers on Wednesday, Dec. 12, as well as a 2:00 p.m. Martin Luther King Day contest against the Houston Rockets on Monday, Jan. 21 and the regular-season finale on Wednesday, April 17 against Cleveland, which will start at 8:00 p.m.
Season tickets are still available by calling (704) BOBCATS. In addition to full season tickets, the “20 Game Pick Plan” allowing buyers to purchase Opening Night and 19 games of their choosing is now available starting at less than $9 per game. Marquee matchups with the Lakers, Heat, Celtics, Knicks, Clippers and Thunder can be selected as part of that plan.