Celtics open against Cavs

The Boston Celtics will raise their 17th championship banner to the rafters against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 28, one of the highlights of the 2008-09 NBA schedule released on Wednesday.

In a series that featured many twists and turns, the Celtics needed seven games to defeat 'King' James and the Cavaliers in last season's Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Also on October 28, the Los Angeles Lakers, which lost to the Celtics in the finals, hosst the Portland Trail Blazers in what is expected to be Greg Oden's NBA debut. The first overall pick in 2007, Oden missed his rookie season after undergoing knee surgery.

Christmas will feature a feast of five games, highlighted by the Celtics visiting the Lakers.

The first full slate of games takes place on October 29, headlined by the league's return to Oklahoma City, when the former Seattle franchise welcomes the Milwaukee Bucks to the Ford Center. Oklahoma City served as home for the Hornets for two seasons after Hurricane Katrina.

Madison Square Garden will be the site of a pair of reunions.

Larry Brown and the Charlotte Bobcats visit the New York Knicks on November 5, and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni takes on his former team, the Phoenix Suns on December 15.

Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley, the first two picks in June's draft, meet for the first time on December 26 as the Chicago Bulls travel to Miami to face the Heat.

After shunning the Warriors to the sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, Baron Davis makes his return to Golden State on January 25.

Elton Brand, who left the Clippers to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, returns to the Staples Center on December 31 to face his former team.

James and Kobe Bryant, the league's two leading scorers last season, provide another treat for fans when they go head to head on January 19 as the Cavs visit the Lakers.

All-Star Weekend takes place in Phoenix from February 13-15.