The 2008/09 NBL season will tip-off on September 13 after the draw was released on Tuesday.
The Cairns Taipans will host the South Dragons in the season opener, with the new-look Sydney Spirit taking on the Melbourne Tigers at home the following day.
After the recent demise of the Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Singapore Slingers, a total of 10 clubs will participate in the new season and NBL interim CEO Chuck Harmison is looking forward to what should be a highly competitive campaign.
"While the process we have gone through for the drafting and redrafting of schedule this year has been the most challenging we have ever undertaken, we are ultimately very pleased with the overall outcome," Harmison said.
"The standard on the court will be higher than ever, with our teams having been able to strengthen significantly their rosters due to the league's contraction to 10 teams."
"That will ensure that fans will be able to continue to see truly world class players in action in what is widely regarded as one of the top five basketball leagues in the world."
Clubs will play 30 games during the 22-round season, with teams to play each other either three or four times, before the top-six will play off in the NBL finals.
Harmison is expecting big crowds to flock to the NBL this season, especially considering the league has been able to fixture extra blockbusters between rival clubs.
"One bonus in the new 10-team schedule is that we he have been able to add in an additional local derby in Victoria between archrivals, the South Dragons and Melbourne Tigers, as well as another clash between traditional foes Perth and Adelaide," Harmison said.
"We have maintained a 30-game schedule with the 15-home, 15-away format at the request of the vast majority of our clubs and open the season with a bumper split round over two weeks featuring all ten teams in action."