Bodog Beat

The NBA released its 2008-09 schedule today, pleasing David Stern. (AP Images)

Say this for the National Basketball Association: David Stern knows how to position his stars.

Today, the NBA released its regular-season schedule for 2008-09, which includes a blockbuster opening night. In the first game, defending champs Boston will take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers while Greg Oden will make his long-awaited NBA debut against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the second contest.

The following night, two of the biggest offseason moves from the Eastern Conference will be on display as Elton Brand and his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates square off against Jermaine O'Neal and his new Raptors running mates.

Some other intriguing matchups on the ledger include: A Halloween night affair between San Antonio and Portland, featuring Tim Duncan vs. Oden; the first Lakers-Suns matchup on November 20th, where Shaq can ask Kobe how his ass tastes; a crazy Christmas quintuple featuring Hornets-Magic, Spurs-Suns, Wizards-Cavs, Mavericks-Blazers and, of course, Celtics-Lakers.

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