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NBA Schedule Outline Released

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Once the NBA players and owners approve the new collective bargaining agreement, the door will open for basketball game to finally be played. But, the schedule will take some adjustment due to the lockout.

The NBA regular season will begin on Christmas Day with a triple-header of action. The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Chicago Bulls; the Miami Heat will face the Dallas Mavericks; and the New York Knicks will host the Boston Celtics.

The regular season will end on April 26, 2012. But during that time span, all teams will play at least one back-to-back-to-back games. No team will play more than three back-to-back-to-back games during the regular season.

The Heat will play 48 conference games and 18 non-conference games. So, some teams who were hoping to bank on a guaranteed appearance by the Miami Heat in their arena will have to wait until next year.

The playoffs will commence on April 28, 2012 and teams could face back-to-back games in the second round of the playoffs.

The 2012 NBA Finals will finish by June 26, 2012 at the latest.

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