LeBRON JAMES, currently in China for the Olympics, and the rest of the Cavaliers will begin the 2008-09 seaon where their 2007-08 season ended Boston. AP / Associated Press
Star Beacon
Published August 07, 2008 12:20 am - CLEVELAND — A season opener in Boston, Christmas at The Q and a franchise-record 34 national TV appearances highlight the Cavaliers schedule released Wednesday.
Back to Boston Cavaliers will open against defending champions
CHRIS BEAVEN Canton Repository
CLEVELAND — A season opener in Boston, Christmas at The Q and a franchise-record 34 national TV appearances highlight the Cavaliers schedule released Wednesday.
For the first time in five years, the Cavaliers open away from Quicken Loans Arena when the play Oct. 28 against the NBA champion Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden. TNT will broadcast the game nationally.
The Cavaliers home opener is two nights later when the Charlotte Bobcats visit 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
The Cavaliers will play on Christmas for the second straight year and the ninth time overall when they host the Washington Wizards at 8 p.m.. TNT will televise that game. The Cavaliers have eliminated the Wizards in the playoffs the last three years, with last season’s first-round series providing plenty of flagrant fouls, technical fouls, a suspension and all kinds of trash talking. The Wizards also visit April 8.
The Cavaliers are at home Easter Sunday, too, hosting the Celtics at 3:30 p.m. April 12. The Celtics visit The Q on Jan. 9 as well. Other notable home games are Detroit Pistons (Feb. 22, March 31), New Orleans Hornets (Jan. 16), the Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 8) the San Antonio Spurs (April 5).
Also, Jazz rookie Kosta Koufos, a GlenOak High School graduate, could make his Ohio professional debut Nov. 15, when Utah visits Cleveland.
The Cavaliers appear on national TV the league maximum 34 times. Here is the breakdown:
n ESPN will air 10 games — Nov. 5 vs. Chicago, Dec. 10 at Philadelphia, Dec. 19 at Denver, Jan. 9 vs. Boston, Jan. 16 vs. New Orleans, Feb. 22 vs. Detroit, Feb. 27 at San Antonio, March 6 at Boston, April 3 at Orlando, April 8 vs. Washington.
n TNT will air 10 games on TNT — Oct. 28 at Boston, Nov. 13 vs. Denver, Dec. 25 vs. Washington, Jan. 15 at Chicago, Jan. 19 at the Los Angeles Lakers, Jan. 29 at Orlando, Feb. 26 at Houston, March 12 at Phoenix, March 19 vs. Portland, April 2 at Washington.
n ABC will air five games — Feb. 1 at Detroit, Feb. 8 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, March 29 vs. Dallas, April 5 vs. San Antonio and April 12 vs. Boston.
NBA TV will broadcast nine games, but those will be announced at a later day.
In other schedule highlights, the Cavaliers:
n Host a season-high four-game homestand on two occasions, March 15-21 and March 25-31.
n Play 12 of their final 17 games of the season at The Q.
n Go on four-game road trips three times, Dec. 13-21, Jan. 19-24 and Feb. 26-March 2.
Cemetery Lots 2-lots Garden of Christus, Greenlawn. $400/both. 440-391-3795...>MORE
BUYING JUNK VEHICLES WE PAY SCRAP OR BETTER Budget Auto Parts, 6015 Woodman Ave. 992-1111...>MORE
WANTED TO BUY Immediate Cash for unwanted items. Call for details 440-319-4274...>MORE
"WE NEED LAND!" Paying top prices for farms or acreage in OH, W. Virginia and PA. Call Bruner Land Co. at (740) 685-8138....>MORE
MACHINERY & TOOLS SAFES- Large & small, Forklifts, extra forks, Pallet Jacks, air compressors, (1-20HP), complete torch sets, welding gass...>MORE
SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE Mixed Hardwoods. Cut & split approx 16 $225.00 cord (+) or Slab wood, cut $150.00 cord(+). Delivered within 15 miles of...>MORE