A week and a half after releasing the regular season schedule, the NBA released the preseason schedule today. Here's Detroit's lineup:
Oct. 8 Miami 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Cleveland 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 Utah 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 Denver 6 p.m.
Oct. 17 Denver (Van Andel Arena) 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 20 at San Antonio 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 Washington 7:30 p.m.
If you remember, the Pistons open the regular season in Miami on November 1, so it's a little interesting that they'll see the Heat in the first exhibition game, as well. I doubt the starters will play more than half the game (if that) the first time around, but Miami will get a head-start scouting Detroit's young reserves. No, that probably doesn't mean much, but it's the first thing I thought of when I saw the schedule.
For everyone on the west side of the state, you may want to take note that the Oct. 17th game against the Nuggets will be played in Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena.