Bulls to be in Oklahoma City, take on Thunder on Christmas Day

Aside from their big opening game, the Thunder are also slated to go head-to-head against Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls in another big date – Christmas Day. They defeated Magic in 2011, New York in 2013 and San Antonio in 2014. Last season the Bulls destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers at home and have won 2 straight games on Christmas Day.

This will also be Chicago’s only visit to the Chesapeake Energy Arena this upcoming season (barring a trip to the National Basketball Association Finals for both teams).

The league has not yet determined the time of the Thunder-Bulls game.

The league could pair the Thunder-Bulls matchup with one of those west coast games for its annual ABC double-header at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. There is, however, an outside chance that the National Basketball Association bumps the Thunder to the first of its two scheduled night games on TNT.

The Spurs are still led by veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, but the team will have a new look in 2015 thanks to the additions of LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Chicago Bulls in a battle of explosive point guards on Christmas Day, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. The Thunder failed to make the playoffs last year after Durant was hobbled by a foot injury.

Even powerhouse teams will have a shot at signing Durant next season because the salary cap is expected to increase significantly because the new National Basketball Association television deal will take into effect in the 2016-17 National Basketball Association season.