In a replay of sorts of last year’s opener, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics will launch the 2009-10 NBA season — only this time LeBron James has some welcome firepower in new teammate Shaquille O’Neal.

The league on Tuesday released its schedule, which begins with Shaq’s Cleveland debut on the Cavs’ home floor on Oct. 27. On the back end of that TNT Tuesday doubleheader, Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers will receive their championship rings prior to facing the Clippers.

Washington plays Dallas and Houston meets Portland to round out the opening night schedule (which is considered a two-date affair). The rest of the league debuts in a 10-game schedule on Wednesday the 28th, which includes an ESPN doubleheader of New Orleans versus San Antonio followed by Utah versus Denver.

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