Blazers 2009-2010 Schedule

Here’s the link. Some analysis once we’ve had the chance to really look it over. Looks like 17(!) of the games are on national television and another seven on NBAtv.

-Unless the find function isn’t working in Firefox, the Blazers only play the Lakers three times, and only once in L.A.

-Worst road trip by far is that four-gamer in December: Orlando, Miami, Dallas, San Antonio.

-Things are looking more balanced than last year on first glance.

-Just one ABC game (Lakers) but four of the ESPN games are on Sunday nights. There’s going to be plenty of time in the spotlight this year.

-If Houston gets much worse as everyone seems to think they will (as do I), the early schedule looks much more forgiving than that brutal stretch last season.

-15 of last 24 are on the road, with the Kings sprinkled in there twice making things easier. The stretch run will be helped/hurt by how much better the Clippers and especially Thunder (who we have twice on the end of back-to-backs) get.

-Quick count is 18 19 back-to-backs.

-Hosting Denver at home on Christmas Day.

ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan highlights some of Portland’s games:

Jan. 8: L.A. Lakers at Portland
If history holds, it’ll be raining in the Pacific Northwest and the Lakers will lose — they’ve dropped their past eight at the Rose Garden. For those fans with the means to go on a long NBA-related weekend sojourn, it should be noted that LeBron James will be in town two nights later.

Jan. 22: Portland at Philadelphia
Andre Miller returns to where his complaints about Tony DiLeo helped cost the former front office executive his head coaching job.

Feb. 4: San Antonio at Portland (TNT)
Looking into the crystal ball, we foresee a late night of television watching while the snow piles up outside and a snow day from school awaits the kids the following morning.

Feb. 9: Oklahoma City at Portland
Another fan choice night on NBA TV, and it could be a close race between this Kevin Durant-Greg Oden faceoff and the second Mark Cuban visit to Denver.

April 11: Orlando at Cleveland (ABC); Portland at L.A. Lakers (ABC)
It’ll be the final weekend of the season, and it seems likely there will be playoff positioning implications for all four teams.