Eleven must-see Canadian vs. Canadian games in 2018-19

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By now you've already circled or read enough articles telling you what games are can't miss this season, but what about the can't miss games featuring Canadians?

With 11 Canadians set to take the floor in 2018-19, they'll be plenty of intriguing and fun battles between fellow countryman.

MORE: When each Canadian player takes on Toronto this season

Here is a list of can't miss games to have your league pass and TV remotes under a full-court press...

October 17

Memphis Grizzlies at Indiana Pacers

Opening night for both teams to kick off the 2018-19 campaign and a chance for two national team members to shine. Memphis' Dillon Brooks will be looking to pick up where he left off last season, earning himself a spot in the Grizzlies' starting lineup while averaging 11.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

On the defensive end, he'll have his hands full with reigning Most Improved Player of the Year, Victor Oladipo.

Cory Joesph and the Pacers saw some success last season and had the eventual conference champions on the ropes in the first round of the playoffs. With the King now out West, the Central Division will be wide open for the Pacers' taking.

Joesph saw his numbers dip in his first season in Indiana, but in each of his last two stops he's been able to improve when familiar with the coach and system year on year.

The Pacers swept the Grizzlies last season.

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers

Another opening night match-up, this time putting Jamal Murray, Trey Lyles and the Nuggets against the debuting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Clippers.

SGA had a strong Summer League with Los Angeles, but in the crowded Clippers' backcourt, it may be tough to find minutes.

Murray knows about buying his time in season one, as he had to come off the bench in his rookie year, but in year two proved he could score at a high level for the Nuggets.

Lyles had his best year in 2017-18, establishing himself as a solid contributor off the bench for coach Mike Malone.

The Clippers took the season series 2-1 a season ago.

October 19

Cleveland Cavaliers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Whenever Andrew Wiggins sees the franchise that traded him away before he even stepped foot on an NBA floor, he balls out. In eight career games against the Cavs, Wiggins is averaging 27.9 points on 54.6 percent shooting from the field.

Tristan Thompson has said that he's ready to take on a bigger role in the offence now that LeBron is no longer around. He'll have his chance to prove it against one of the league's brightest young stars in Karl Anthony-Towns.

After the Timberwolves blew the Cavs out in their first game last year, LeBron split the season series with a dramatic buzzer-beater.

October 27

Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers

The first of four regular-season battles between the two former high school and college teammates. Thompson and Joseph have also been the vocal leaders when they've decided to play for Team Canada.

It's the first time the two teams will meet since Game 7 of last year's epic first-round battle.

#Thompson Joseph

November 19

Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies

A Southwest Division match-up leaving a tough individual match-up for the Canadians involved.

Dillon Brooks will get a chance at guarding Luka Doncic, last year's EuroLeague Finals MVP. Dwight Powell will be banging down low with a former Spanish League MVP in his own right in Marc Gasol.

November 30

Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers

The Blue Arrow vs. the three goggles, two of Canada's best shooters at the wing position will do battle for the first time in 2018-19.

Add in Trey Lyles, and you have three of the 12 players Canadian basketball fans hope will play at the FIBA World Cup in 2019.

February 5

Four games featuring Canadian vs. Canadian. If there ever was a reason to get NBA league pass, this is it.

Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Hornets

This will be the second and last time in the season Team Canada head coach Jay Triano will get a chance to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers 

Tristan Thompson will look to get a home win over the Celtics and Team Canada coaching staff member Scott Morrison will be looking on from the Boston bench.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies

Dillon Brooks and Andrew Wiggins have had many one-on-one battles in the past but now it's on the biggest stage.

Miami Heat at Portland Trail Blazers

Kelly Olynyk returns to the Pacific Northwest, where he played his college ball and will see a familiar face in Nik Stauskas lining up in a Blazers uniform.

March 14

Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic 

Barring a huge winning turnaround from a season ago, the Magic probably won't be punching their ticket to the playoffs in a tougher Eastern Conference.

However, if they do surprise and make a playoff push, a late season match-up with last year's NBA finalist would be a welcome sight for a team trying to accumulate as many conference wins as they can.

It's also a chance for Khem Birch to showcase his rim-protecting ability against one of the leaders of Team Canada, Tristan Thompson.

Fingers crossed we get a Justin Jackson sighting here, too.

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Carlan Gay is a deputy editor at The Sporting News.