{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Tough stretch to start","video":"ZQmzNuUvKnvG","thumbnail":{"uri":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/short_form_video/hero/BLAZERSCHEDULE13_1920x1080.jpg","alt":"Breaking down the 2020-21 Trail Blazers schedule","title":"Breaking down the 2020-21 Trail Blazers schedule"},"credit":"Getty Images","published":1607043462,"caption":"

The Trail Blazers tip-off the regular season on Dec. 23 at home against the Utah Jazz. Portland will have another home game on Dec. 26 vs. the Houston Rockets before hitting the road.

During Portland’s first week of training camp, the Blazers have discussed just how important their first 10 games will be in order to get off to a good start in this shortened 72-game season.

But getting off to a good start won’t be easy.

The Blazers will be battle-tested right out of the gate with Portland facing projected playoff teams seven times in its first 10 games.

The Blazers visit the Lakers on Dec. 28 and will then battle the Clippers on Dec. 30 in Portland’s third and fourth matchups of the year.

The first 10 games:

WED. DECEMBER 23 VS. UTAH 7:00 PM
SAT. DECEMBER 26 VS. HOUSTON 7:00 PM
MON. DECEMBER 28 AT L.A. LAKERS 7:00 PM
WED. DECEMBER 30 AT L.A. CLIPPERS 7:00 PM
FRI. JANUARY 1 AT GOLDEN STATE 7:30 PM
SUN. JANUARY 3 AT GOLDEN STATE 6:00 PM
TUE. JANUARY 5 VS. CHICAGO 7:30 PM
THU. JANUARY 7 VS. MINNESOTA 7:00 PM
SAT. JANUARY 9 AT SACRAMENTO 7:00 PM
MON. JANUARY 11 VS. TORONTO 7:00 PM

"},{"title":"No Christmas game, but will play on MLK Day","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/BlazersVsSpurs_GettyImages-1199129075.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607044015,"caption":"

With the NBA season officially tipping off on Dec. 22 and the Blazers starting their season on Dec. 23, Portland will not have a Christmas Day game this year. The Blazers also missed out on a Christmas matchup last year. Portland last played on Christmas in 2018 when they visited the Utah Jazz.

But, the Blazers will play on Martin Luther King Jr. Day when they host the San Antonio Spurs in a matinee game Jan. 18 at noon PT.

"},{"title":"Must take care of business in Jan. ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/CarmeloAnthonyDamianLillard_GettyImages-1185533180.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607044207,"caption":"

Following the first 10 games of the season, the schedule will let up a bit.

The month of January could be a great opportunity for Portland to bolster its record. With so many games slated against teams that are projected to be in the bottom half of both the Western and Eastern Conference, the Blazers can take advantage of this stretch, which will be crucial in a shortened season.

Portland should also be at full strength come mid-January with Zach Collins expected to return to the lineup mid-to-late January.

SAT. JANUARY 9 AT SACRAMENTO 7:00 PM
MON. JANUARY 11 VS. TORONTO 7:00 PM
WED. JANUARY 13 AT SACRAMENTO 7:00 PM
THU. JANUARY 14 VS. INDIANA 7:00 PM
SAT. JANUARY 16 VS. ATLANTA 7:00 PM
MON. JANUARY 18 VS. SAN ANTONIO 12:00 PM
WED. JANUARY 20 VS. MEMPHIS 7:00 PM
FRI. JANUARY 22 VS. MEMPHIS 7:00 PM
SUN. JANUARY 24 VS. NEW YORK 6:00 PM
MON. JANUARY 25 VS. OKLAHOMA CITY 7:00 PM
THU. JANUARY 28 AT HOUSTON 8:30 PM
SAT. JANUARY 30 AT CHICAGO 7:00 PM

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Obviously, playing on the road won’t be like it used to be with zero to limited fans in attendance this season, but the Blazers will still have to deal with long travel days and living out of their suitcases for lengthy stretches.

The longest road trip of the first half of the season comes at the end of January into early February. During this trip, the Blazers will face the Bucks and Sixers back-to-back.

Six-game road trip from Jan. 28 – Feb. 7 --

THU. JANUARY 28 AT HOUSTON 8:30 PM
SAT. JANUARY 30 AT CHICAGO 7:00 PM
MON. FEBRUARY 1 AT MILWAUKEE 7:00 PM
THU. FEBRUARY 4 AT PHILADELPHIA 7:00 PM
SAT. FEBRUARY 6 AT ATLANTA 1:00 PM
SUN. FEBRUARY 7 AT CHARLOTTE 1:00 PM

"},{"title":"First-half schedule release means more flexibility ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/ModaCenter_GettyImages-1145421346.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607044570,"caption":"

The NBA decided to release the regular-season schedule in two halves in order to have more flexibility down the stretch of the season.

The league won't release the schedule for the second half until games have been played in the first-half.

This also gives the NBA a chance to reschedule any of the first half games that may have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

The All-Star break, which will not include an All-Star game this year, will divide the two halves. The All-Star break is set to take place March 5-10.

The second half of the season will run from March 11 to May 16 with the playoff play-in tournament set for May 18 to 21.

The 2021 postseason is reportedly slated to begin May 22.

For more on the Trail Blazers schedule check out the video above.

"}]}

Trail Blazers 2020-21 schedule release: 5 things that stand out