Revised 2011-12 Pacers schedule released

Frank Vogel and his team finally know their opponents for his first full season as head coach.

The NBA released the revised schedule for the 2011-12 season, consisting of 66 games over five months. With a new coaching staff and probably a few free agents added to the team, the Indiana Pacers will open the season on December 26th at home against the Detroit Pistons.

Indiana will play their first five of seven games on the road. And they have an opportunity to start strong, beginning the season with five average teams (Detroit, at Toronto, Cleveland, at Detroit, New Jersey).

Training camp opens Friday, with the first Pacers preseason game a week from then, on Dec. 16, Indy hosts the Bulls in a home-and-home preseason dual.

A few notes:

• And as of now, the Pacers are not scheduled to play on national television, (ABC/ESPN/TNT.)
• Chicago will play at Conseco just once during the regular season…the last game of the season.
• The Lakers will not make an appearance in Indianapolis.
• Neither will the defending champs (Dallas).
• LeBron, Wade and Bosh come to town twice.
• Despite just 18 games against western conference opponents, Eric Gordon will come home to Indy.
• The Pacers have just one home game with the Super Bowl crowd in town. On the night before the Super Bowl, the Pacers host Orlando (Feb. 4)

Click here for the complete schedule

Below are the key home dates:

Mon., Dec. 26 – Detroit Pistons (season opener)
Sat., Jan. 14 – Boston Celtics (Big three, JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore)
Tue., Feb. 7 – Utah Jazz (Gordon Hayward)
Tue., Feb. 14 – Miami Heat
Tues., Feb. 21 – New Orleans Hornets (Eric Gordon)
Sat., Mar. 17 – New York Knicks
Tue., Mar. 20 – Los Angeles Clippers (Chris Paul, Blake Griffin)
Mon., Mar. 26 – Miami Heat
Thu., Mar. 29 – Washington Wizards (Shelvin Mack, John Wall)
Tue., Apr. 3 – New York Knicks
Fri., Apr. 6 – Oklahoma City Thunder
Wed., Apr. 25 – Chicago Bulls