Christmas In NYC Highlights 2013-14 Thunder Schedule

Even though basketball is still months away, Thunder fans can finally start planning their trips to Chesapeake Energy Arena. 

The 2013-14 NBA schedule was released Tuesday afternoon, and Oklahoma City will once again be in the national spotlight.  The Thunder will play 25 national TV games again this season (the league maximum) including Christmas Day at the Knicks and a late-January road trip to play the new-look Nets and the two-time champion Heat. 

Complete Thunder 2013-14 regular season schedule

For the second consecutive season, OKC will host Miami right around the All-Star break.  Last season, the Thunder dropped a 110-100 decision on Valentine's Day in their last contest before the break.  This season, OKC will host LeBron James & Co. on Feb. 20, its first game after the break. 

The Thunder gets a pretty easy start to the season, opening up against six straight opponents that missed the playoffs last year.  OKC's season-opener is Oct. 30 at the Jazz, while the home opener is Nov. 3 against the Suns. 

Oklahoma City will get a shot at revenge against the Grizzlies four times this season, the first matchup coming in Memphis on Dec. 11.  OKC doesn't host the Grizz until Feb. 3.

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Another key game will be Houston's first trip to the 'Peake, coming on Dec. 29.  Led by former Thunder star James Harden and the newly-acquired Dwight Howard, any Rockets/Thunder matchup from here on out promises to get heated. 

In what has become a tradition in Oklahoma City, the Thunder will once again play at home on New Year's Eve. For the sixth consecutive season, the Thunder will ring in the New Year  playing at home, this time against the Portland Trail Blazers as a part of Oklahoma City's Opening Night celebration.

The Thunder closes the season on April 11 against the New Orleans Pelicans.  It will be Thunder fans' first chance to see the rebranded Hornets franchise.