SALT LAKE CITY — With the NBA schedule released Thursday, and the Utah Jazz projected to be improved next season, here are 10 games to make sure to watch in the local team's upcoming season.

Oct. 25, at Portland

First, this is the season opener, the earliest regular season game for the Jazz since 1985. But Portland's also a rival at this point, fighting over the title of the best up-and-coming team in the West. Last year's Jazz struggled against the Blazers, posting a 1-3 record, but most observers feel the Jazz had a better offseason than Portland. The Blazers play Rudy Gobert better than anybody, so the game should represent a good early test for Gobert's development this offseason, or failing that, a good early test for the Jazz's flexibility.

Oct. 28, vs. Los Angeles

Utah's second game is their first home matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers and the second pick in the draft, Brandon Ingram. Kobe Bryant is gone, but can new offseason additions Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov bring the Lakers back to glory? Spoiler alert: no, no they can not.

Nov. 17, vs. Chicago

The Jazz's first game on TNT since January 2012 comes against their most famous opponent ever, the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls had a weird offseason, in which they lost Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Pau Gasol, but signed Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, and Dwyane Wade. Last season, the Jazz's home matchup against the Bulls featured a last-minute comeback to send the game to OT, which the Jazz won easily. Will it be that close again?

Dec. 8, vs. Golden State

Every year, in order to play 82 games, the Jazz play 13 Western Conference teams twice at home, and two West teams just once. It just so happens that this year, the year in which the Warriors have some of the best talent ever assembled on one NBA roster, Golden State visits just once. That's a disappointment for fans, but probably a blessing for Quin Snyder and the Jazz competitively: the fewer times you have to face Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and company, the better. It's going to be a show.

Dec. 14, vs. Oklahoma City

The Jazz couldn't get over the OKC hump last year, losing all four times to the Thunder. This year, they'll have a better shot, with Kevin Durant and the tricky Serge Ibaka no longer in a Thunder uniform. Former Jazzman Enes Kanter also figures to play a bigger part next season, though it's not clear he'll be known by that name.

Utah Jazz announce 2016-17 regular season schedule

The NBA announced its 2016-17 NBA schedule Thursday afternoon, including the full 82-game slate of the Utah Jazz.

Jan. 10, vs. Cleveland

This is on this list for an obvious reason: it's the only time the defending champions come to Utah. LeBron James is a phenomenon to watch, especially in person where his sheer power and athleticism really strike you. But then there's also some weird force which makes LeBron in SLC games some of the closest, wildest games that have been played in Vivint Arena this millennium. Don't miss this one.

Feb. 11, vs. Boston

Last season, the Jazz took care of the Boston Celtics easily at home: for whatever reason, the C's didn't come in with 100 percent energy. It should be a harder test this year. New center Al Horford is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and you can be sure coach Brad Stevens will use his versatility to maximum effect. They won 48 games last season, had an Pythagorean expectation of 50 wins, and got a lot better this offseason. They're going to be good.

Mar. 13, vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The way the schedule sets up, this is a critical game. The Jazz will be coming into this one with coming off of two road games in Houston and Oklahoma City, not pushover opponents by any means. And after, they'll leave for a four-game road trip against the Pistons, Cavs, Bulls, and Pacers. A home game in between against the Clippers is not a respite. The Clippers have always come into Vivint Arena and outplayed the Jazz, but if the Jazz want to have a successful March, they need to reverse that trend.

Apr. 2, at San Antonio

This is the Jazz's first game nationally televised on ABC since 2009, when the Deron Williams-led group faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. If you exclude the playoffs, it's the Jazz's first ever appearance on ABC, since that network picked up the NBA's TV contract in 2002. Of course, the opponent is a pretty difficult one: Utah lost to the Spurs in two San Antonio games last season by 25 and 27 points, and truthfully, the games weren't even that close. Kawhi Leonard shuts down Gordon Hayward, and the Jazz can't figure out how to score inside. Maybe without Tim Duncan, and Boris Diaw in blue, they'll have better luck.

Apr. 12, vs. San Antonio

The Jazz's final game of the season is slated for an 8:30 p.m. tip, despite not having a national television station slated to televise it yet. That's unusual, but a good sign that it could be picked up for one, depending on the direction of the Jazz and Spurs. The Jazz's slate to end the year is rough: they play Portland, Golden State, and San Antonio in the final week of the year. The only good news: maybe some of those teams will be resting players for the playoffs.

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