Mavs get dates with Houston & X-mas

The Mavs are part of the Tip-Off 08 festivities, as the NBA released its broadcast schedule today. Dallas makes its national TV debut and opens the season on Oct. 30 as TNT presents a doubleheader featuring four of the Western Conference’s premier teams.

Start planning, because the complete Mavs schedule is available at mavs.com.

The Houston Rockets, led by Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and Ron Artest, visit American Airlines Center for a 7 p.m. CT tipoff. The second game features All-Stars Chris Paul and David West and the New Orleans Hornets heading to Phoenix to match up against two-time MVP Steve Nash and the Suns.

Dallas is also in action on Christmas Day. The second game of another TNT doubleheader features Portland, with former Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy and possibly the next one in Greg Oden, hosting the Mavs at 9:30 p.m. CT.

For the first time ever, the NBA’s three national television partners – ABC, ESPN and TNT – will each televise games on Christmas.