NBA Releases 2015-16 Schedule

The NBA released its schedule Wednesday, featuring the always-anticipated five-game Christmas Day lineup and DeAndre Jordan's Los Angeles Clippers making a November appearance at the Dallas Mavericks -- the team Jordan spurned in free agency to dramatic effect.

Christmas' offerings start with the New Orleans Pelicans visiting the Heat at noon ET, one of the 13 times young star Anthony Davis is scheduled to be shown on national television as he moves more into the spotlight.

That game is followed by the Chicago Bulls at the Oklahoma City Thunder. The centerpiece game of the day is an NBA Finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the defending champion Golden State Warriors at 5 p.m. ET. The late games are the San Antonio Spurs at the Houston Rockets and the Clippers at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nov. 11 promises to be intriguing. In the first game of an ESPN doubleheader, Jordan plays with the Clippers at Dallas. In the nightcap, LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland with the Spurs.

The season tips off on Oct. 27 with two playoff rematches: the Bulls host the Cavs, followed by the Warriors getting their rings before playing the Pelicans.