This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Jazz announced Tuesday the schedule for the upcoming regular season. They open Oct. 30 at home against Oklahoma City.
For a young, rebuilding team, this isn't a particularly friendly schedule. Five of the first seven games are on the road, including four games in five nights against the Eastern Conference. The schedule features 20 back-to-backs. While the Jazz's longest road trip last season was four games, they have trips of four games, five games and six games this season.
Here are some quick thoughts and superlatives:
Key month: November. With 11 of 16 games on the road, and a four-game Eastern Conference swing in five nights, the tone could be set for what may be a long season.
Longest road trip: Six games, Feb. 28 through March 8. At Cleveland, at Indiana, at Milwaukee, at Washington, at New York, at Philadelphia.
Longest home stand: Four games, Jan. 21 through Jan. 31. Minnesota, Washington, Sacramento, Golden State
Notable games:
Nov. 8 at Brooklyn • With Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko reunited, fans may be more familiar with the Nets than Jazz.
Nov. 29 vs. Phoenix • The Jazz play their second of three games in one month against the Suns and new coach Jeff Hornacek.
Dec. 27 vs. Los Angeles Lakers • After playing in Utah just once last year, the Lakers make two trips this year. The other is on April 14.
Jan. 17 at Detroit • Trey Burke returns to Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to the NCAA championship game. Dec. 20 at Atlanta, Dec. 21 at Charlotte • On back-to-back, Jazz see Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson for first time since the big men left in free agency.
Feb. 8 vs. Miami • The defending champion Heat come to Salt Lake City one night after the Jazz play in Dallas.
April 16 at Minnesota • The final regular season game for the Jazz.
— Bill Oram