NBA releases schedule

   Oklahoma City will open the 2008-09 NBA season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 29, the league announced Wednesday.
     The team will then travel to Houston on Nov. 1 before hosting Minnesota on Nov. 2 and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on Nov. 5.
     The New Orleans Hornets make their first Ford Center appearance on Nov. 21, which will be broadcast on at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, Oklahoma City’s only appearance on nation television. Oklahoma City will travel to New Orleans to face the Hornets on Nov. 22.
     Other home games of note include the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 21, the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 29 and the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 24.
     2008 No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls will make their only visit to Oklahoma City on March 18. No. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley, teammate Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat come to town on Jan. 18.
     Oklahoma City will host the Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets on Jan. 9, the night of the BCS National Championship game. OKC also hosts the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 2, the night of the Sugar Bowl.
     Former OU coach Kelvin Sampson, who is now an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, will return to Oklahoma on opening night. Former OSU standout Desmond Mason is also a member of the Bucks.

 -DM-