The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers kick off proceedings on Thursday in Honolulu, Hawaii. After adding Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the offseason, the Clippers are firm favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy this season.

Two games are scheduled for Friday, with a further five on the slate for Saturday.

The pick of the crop of those five is unquestionably the Los Angeles Lakers’ trip to San Francisco to take on the Golden State Warriors.

For the second successive year, the Lakers begin the season with huge expectations on their shoulders.

LeBron James’ first season in California ended up being a major disappointment, but the arrival of Anthony Davis from New Orleans reignited hopes of success.

“I know the caliber of player he is, not only from a basketball standpoint but also from a leadership standpoint and what he can bring to any franchise,” James told NBA TV when the Lakers opened training camp last week.

“It’s exciting to have such a beautiful young mind, a beautiful player and also a great leader, as well. […] I think the basketball will speak for itself, but he’s just an all-around great person.”

The Warriors, meanwhile, will have to adjust to life without Kevin Durant, after the two-time NBA Finals MVP left the Bay Area for Brooklyn.

Without Durant and with Klay Thompson not available until after the All-Star Game break in February because of a torn ACL, the odds are firmly stacked against Golden State.

Draymond Green, however, believes the Warriors have what it takes to reach the NBA Finals for the sixth consecutive time.

“I am not sure what everyone’s expectations are,” Green told ESPN.

“We haven’t really had any team meetings yet. But I know what my expectations are—they don’t change from year to year. They are always the same.

“Because I think obviously what we have returning and myself, Steph [Curry] and Klay—with the experience that we have, the championship pedigree that we have, and obviously all of us still being in our primes.”

Here’s all you need about the NBA preseason.

When does the NBA preseason begin?

The Houston Rockets took on the Shanghai Sharks on Monday, but the NBA preseason tips off in earnest on Thursday, October 3.

The Rockets are in action again, taking on the Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Two games are scheduled for Friday, with the Indiana Pacers taking on the Sacramento Kings in Mumbai, India, while the Brooklyn Nets host Brazil’s Sesi/Franca.

A total of 78 games will be played between Thursday and Friday, October 18.

Where is the NBA preseason being played?

Preseason games will be played across a number of NBA arenas, as well as in Honolulu.

Games will also be played in four overseas locations, with Tokyo and Mumbai hosting two games each.

China also hosts two matchups, with the Brooklyn Nets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Shanghai and in Shenzhen.

TV coverage

Seven preseason games will be broadcast nationally across ESPN and TNT.

Live stream

Every preseason game will be available live via NBA TV, while the nationally broadcast game will also be available via ESPN’s digital platforms.

TV schedule (All times ET)

Saturday, October 5

Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors—8 p. m. , TNT

Tuesday, October 8

Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder—8 p. m. , ESPNDenver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers—10:30 p. m. , ESPN

Wednesday, October 9

New Orleans Pelicans @ Chicago Bulls—8 p. m. , ESPN

Wednesday, October 16

Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks—8 p. m. , ESPNGolden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers—10:30 p. m. , ESPN

Friday, October 18

New Orleans Pelicans @ New York Knicks—8 p. m. , TNT

The full schedule for the NBA preseason can be found here.