NBA: 5 must-see games from 2018-19 opening week

NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James Rajon Rondo (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James Rajon Rondo (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Tuesday, Oct. 16: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

The NBA’s season tips off in style as the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics meet up in what could be a early preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. The 76ers enter this season will high expectations after winning 52 games last season and making it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The 76ers were defeated in the semifinals in five games against their opening night opponent, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics on the other hand not only appear to be the biggest threat to the Warriors in the NBA but they also are the early favorite to win the Eastern Conference after watching LeBron James own the Conference the last eight years.

Boston will not only have Kyrie Irving back after he missed the season’s final months but they also will welcome the return of Gordon Hayward who missed all but the first five minutes of last season due to a severe injury suffered in the opener.