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NBA announces star-studded Opening Night schedule for 2021-22 season

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Opening Night of the 2021-22 NBA season features star-studded matchups between the Nets-Bucks and Lakers-Warriors

Are you ready for Opening Night?

On Oct. 19, the 2021-22 season will begin with a pair of star-studded matchups. First, a meeting between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets that will feature Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. Second, a showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors that will feature LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

The Bucks and Nets battled in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The series went to seven games, with the Bucks outlasting the Nets in a thrilling Game 7 that was decided in overtime. Durant led the Nets with 48 points in Game 7 while Antetokounmpo finished with a 40-point, 13-rebound double-double.

The Bucks went on to defeat the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals, followed by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals to capture their first championship in 50 years.

MORE: Key dates for the 2021-22 season

The Warriors and Lakers played each other in last season's Play-In Game for the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Led by a 22-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double from LeBron, the Lakers won by a final score of 103-100. Curry scored a game-high 37 points in a losing effort.

The Lakers, Nets, Bucks and Warriors have the four-best championship odds next season.

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Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News