Sonics open against Blazers

The NBA released its 2006-07 schedule this afternoon and the Sonics open their 40th season at home against former coach Nate McMillan and the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 1.

Seattle's second game is against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on ESPN. The Sonics, which finished with a 37-45 record last season, make eight appearances on national cable television this season. Last year, 17 games were broadcast nationally.

The local schedule with broadcast partner FSN will be released this month.

The schedule makers didn't do Seattle in any favors as eight of its first 13 games are on the road, including a five-game East Coast road trip that begins with defending champion Miami on Nov. 7.

Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O'Neal and the Heat travel to Seattle on Jan. 10 and LeBron James leads the Cleveland Cavaliers into town on Jan. 16.

Other key dates include: Western Conference champion Dallas comes to Seattle on Dec. 20 and April 18, former Gonzaga star Adam Morrison and Charlotte arrive on March 4 and reigning two-time MVP Steve Nash and Phoenix make their only KeyArena appearance on Feb. 14.

Seattle concludes the season with six of the final nine games on the road.