Fans were confused why the NBA schedule the opening game between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons at 3 p.m. The NBA on Tuesday released its schedule for opening week and Christmas Day, tickling the fans with a slew of must-see matchups. Maybe down the line, this becomes a tradition for NBA fans. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has often talked about keeping the NBA interesting and widening its global reach. Last season, 170 million people watched the regular season across the league's four primary broadcasting platforms, a whopping 86% increase and the highest viewership in 24 years.